Weight Gain

I was just wondering, if you were recovering from an ED, how much more calories should you be eating? To clarify, should you be following CC's suggestion for calories to consume? i.e. 500 more calories than what you need in order to gain a pound a week? Because it seems to me that those recovering from ED have to eat A LOT more than that to gain.

I think the best guide is to input the stats as if you were already a healthy weight (BMI 20) and then add 500+ cals to that.   The impression I get from this board is that people recovering from EDs gain weight remarkably quickly at first even with just a small increase in intake.... which is rather what you'd expect.  But to sustain the gains you do have to be a higher level on a very consistent basis.

I agree with jane on her suggestion of eating as if you were at a healthy range weight +500. If you've been eating particularly low calories until now, get to at least 1200 first (1500 if you're a teen) and then head up from there. You -will- gain some weight at first but a lot of it will be water, and does eventually shift. Drink plenty of water (water defies water retention, wierd, right) and make sure your salt doesn't go over the recommended amount, and you'll be alright.

You will also experience some bloating as your stomach will be smaller from undereating and will need to adjust. Plan your meals over 5-6 meals a day and it should help, as well as things like peppermint and fennel tea and slow walks. :] Ultimately aim for a number around 2500, and remember to compensate for any exercise you do. Remember, also, CC's calculators aren't accurate if you're a teenager. There's a teen calculator here: http://www.bcm.edu/cnrc/bodycomp/bmiz2.html

If you have any other problems or questions, feel free to post them here or send me a PM - I'll do my best to help! :]