Foods to Help Gain Weight Safely

Question
Hi Ms. Beebe,
My husband has always had high cholesterol and recently high blood pressure.  So to combat this, he's been watching what he eats, but now what happens is he loses weight.  It's a double-edged sword.  Forgive me, I'm not sure if this is a subject you may prefer to answer on.. He does need to gain weight.  I've tried to help by giving him extra pasta, potatoes and rice... Would peanut butter help?   

He weighs 153 (his lowest point recently being 148#, and he should be 170.  #He is in his doctor's care, so he's not doing this alone... But his doc said he wishes he could help with the nutrition end of the deal but suggests he visits a Nutritionist, but ins. does not cover, and we cannot afford it.#   

All we would like to know is #with the two situations in mind,  are there any foods that you might recommend that could help him gain the weight he needs and not wreak havoc on his cholesterol?  

Thank you!

Answer
Dear Chris,

You have the right idea going! Pastas, potatoes and rice are both low in fat and sodium, so they won't be interfering with his cholesterol or blood pressure! Other foods low in both include fruits (dried fruits and juices can add quite a few calories), cereals with skim milk, "good" fats like nuts and sunflower seeds, dry peas and beans, and lean meats like chicken breasts and fish.  Sometimes people do tend to go a bit overboard when they have decided to eat better for their health, and avoid foods they don't need to be avoiding. Perhaps your husband can eat larger portions of some foods, or start incorporating snacks.
If he is not able to gain weight because he just can't manage to eat enough of these healthy foods, he can try a supplement (like Carnation Instant Breakfast or Ensure) which do not have cholesterol and are quite low in sodium. If he drinks 2 a day he can expect to put one one pound each week.
If weight loss continues, be sure to visit the doctor with this information and check out any other possibilities that could be causing weight loss.

Good luck :)

Laurie

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