Gaining weight, foods for

One of the symptoms of chronic disease is weight loss. Marshall Protocol (MP) patients can add certain foods to their diets, including nuts, fruits, and dairy products, to help maintain or gain weight, if necessary. The ideal such food is one which is high in calories, free of vitamin D, and low in folic acid and sugars. If there is a choice between eating low carbohydrate and maintaining a reasonable weight, MP patients are advised to maintain weight.

• nuts - full of protein, fiber and nutrients without the added vitamin D; very dense in fat/calories
• nut butters - peanut butter is the most familiar; unprocessed varieties are most desirable
• certain dairy products - high-fat, low-sugar dairy products that do not contain vitamin D or more than 6% of vitamin A are a good way to add quality calories; cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt are good examples

While it may be true that eating dairy products high in fat will, theoretically, contain some vitamin D, the risk/benefit tips in favor of calorie density to maintain weight.

Commercial dietary supplements, though generally discouraged for MP patients, may be necessary for MP patients who cannot maintain their weight with natural foods alone. MP patients should check their 25-DThe vitamin D metabolite widely (and erroneously) considered best indicator of vitamin D "deficiency." Inactivates the Vitamin D Nuclear Receptor. Produced by hydroxylation of vitamin D3 in the liver. levels periodically to help confirm that they have not been consuming foods that contain hidden sources of vitamin D.

• sugar-free dark chocolate candy - consume if sugar alcohols are tolerable; does not affect glycemia
• Balance CarbWell bars - have some folic acid, but everything else in them is acceptable for MP patients; does not affect glycemia
• AdvantEdge by EAS - any high-protein drink that is not supplemented with vitamin D is acceptable, but most are, so the label must be checked each time

Eating six or more small “meals” throughout the day may allow one to eat more.

Having a variety of healthy foods on hand and expending as little energy as possible preparing them may be helpful.