Are you left wondering ‘how can I increase weight weight IBS?’
When you are trying to avoid IBS symptoms you may find that you struggle to gain weight. This is because your diet has become too restrictive.
You will be feeling confused about what you should be doing next. You want to try the low FODMAP diet but can you gain weight on this? Surely more restriction would lead to even more weight loss?
This confusion will leave you in quite an anxious place, not knowing where to go next despite being keen to make progress.
In this post I am going to explain why you are finding it hard to gain weight and what can you do about it. I will also be touching on eating disorders.
Table of Contents
Why Is It Difficult to Increase Weight With IBS?
You will likely be thinking that your weight loss is due to the malabsorption of lots of nutrients. This will be causing you to worry and feel very anxious about your current condition.
Unlike other digestive diseases such as coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), IBS does not cause malabsorption which leads to weight loss.
Sure, you may have malabsorption of certain food elements such as lactose in milk. But this would affect your total calorie absorption minimally.
In coeliac disease and IBD, a large part of the gut is inflamed which prevents the absorption of a large quantity of calories (1, 2). This leads to weight loss.
The reason you are finding it difficult to gain weight in IBS is because you have restricted your diet so much that your total calorie intake is now very low.
How Can I Increase Weight With IBS?
You will likely be feeling quite frustrated trying to work out how to increase your weight without causing IBS symptoms. You may even be thinking that there is only so much of your ‘safe foods’ that you can possibly eat.
So gaining weight in IBS is like gaining weight at any other time. You need to eat more calories than what you burn off. And, you need to do this consistently.
To gain just 0.5kg a week will mean that you must eat an additional 500 calories each day.
So now you will be thinking – “great thanks Kirsten, I need to eat more, but how the bloody hell do I do that?”
Firstly, you can not do this alone. The very fact that you are struggling to gain weight suggests that your diet is far too restrictive already. You will currently be putting yourself at risk of long term nutritional deficiencies.
You need to get the guidance of a dietitian so you can;
- Ensure your diet is providing you with all those nutrients that you need for good health.
- Increase your calorie intake with foods that do not worsen your IBS symptoms.
- Get to the bottom of those IBS symptoms!
Can I Go On The Low FODMAP Diet and Gain Weight?
Yes absolutely! Many people think this is not possible as it is more food restriction.
This is actually not true, the low FODMAP diet provides you with many food choices, allowing you to gain weight as needed. It also addresses your IBS symptoms which is the initial cause of you changing your diet and losing weight in the first place.
BUT – as with any complex diet, it is recommended that you do not do this alone.
Can I Join The Take Control Program and Increase Weight With IBS?
Again, Yes!
So part of the reason for writing about this topic is that I get asked about it all the time from people who are keen to join the program.
The program includes the low FODMAP diet, which we have already discussed. But, it also addresses regular eating, mental wellbeing and exercise – all areas which will help regulate your weight.
You will also have access to our online community where you can ask me and the other members for support and extra tips where needed.
Eating Disorders and IBS
IBS and eating disorders are linked. One study showed that 64% of people who had a diagnosed eating disorder, also fitted the criteria for IBS (3).
Please note, the low FODMAP is not recommended fort those who have a current or previous eating disorder. If this is relevant to you, please contact us for 121 support and guidance.
Kirsten Jackson is a UK registered Consultant Gastroenterology Dietitian and founder of The Food Treatment Clinic. She has undergone many qualifications to get where she is today, including a UK BSc Honours Degree in Dietetics and Post-Graduate Certificate in Advanced Dietetics. In addition to this, she has FODMAP Training from Kings College London University. Kirsten set up The Food Treatment Clinic in 2015 after first experiencing digestive problems herself. She felt that the NHS was unable to provide the support individuals needed and went on to specialise in this area before opening a bespoke IBS service. Kirsten also participates in charity work as an Expert Advisor for the IBS Network. In addition, she can be seen in publications such as Cosmopolitan and The Telegraph discussing IBS as an Official Media Spokesperson to the IBS Network.
I have diagnosed ibs what should I do to increase weight as I am underweight
Hi Rahul! Thank you for your message. You can find a couple of options under the ‘work with me tab’ at the top.
Plz ma’am help me i am also suffering from ibs nd i am underweight
Hi Indu – please feel free to take a look at the work with me options π
Hi Kirsten Jackson ,
I am one of those who is suffering with IBS. I have tried a lot things like stopping those food items which is causing the disorder to increase. Even then, I am losing weight.
How can I get treated being in India.
Hi Arun, thank you for your comment! I work 100% online so you can join the 1-2-1 VIP program or the online Take Control group program from anywhere in the world – just take a look and see what you think suits you more π .
I am a runner who is underweight at 5 feet 5 inches and 112 pounds. My doctor wants me to get to 125 pounds. I was a very healthy runner until about 2 years ago when I started to have stomach issues. The gastroenterologist gave me an endoscopy which reviled an ulcer. I took Nexium for this but continued to have issues. I was then diagnosed with h pylori. The h pylori and ulcer are both gone but I continue to have constipation and bloating every time I eat. I find it difficult to run without stomach issues.
Hi Thomas, I am sorry to hear this. It sounds like you have post-infectious IBS. I would recommend looking at our VIP programme to help you pin-point the cause and build your gut back up after having H.pylori and subsequent treatment.
I’m not sure if I have IBS but I have a lot of bloating and constipation after I eat and find it hard to gain weight. I’m also trying to get back into running without stomach pain.
We recommend that you visit your doctor to get testing carried out π
Hi My name is Janet Anderson.i have been suffering from ibs for a number of years now and I am about 1 and a half stone under my BMI weight .I have just found out 2 days ago after weeks of tests and biopsies that I have throat cancer and I am undergoing biopsies for breast cancer liver cancer and bowel cancer .I have been told because I am so underweight I will not get through operations or chemotherapy but if I can gain weight I could possibly get through radiotherapy.I already drink fortisip drinks through prescription but I struggle to drink more than 2 aday on top op my gluten and lactose free diet which I do have every two to three hours (little and often).I am now in a desparate to gain weight because they might not be able to give me radiotherapy unless I gain weight and the clock is ticking on my cancer.Any help to gain weight would be so appreciated because I haven’t much time left.
Hi Janet. I am so sorry to hear this and to hear that you are going through so much. Unfortunately, we are not able to give out dietary advice without further detailed assessment. Please do not hesitate to get in touch via admin@thefoodtreatmentclinic.com and we will be happy to help as much as we can or alternatively, direct you to someone who can help you further with the support your require!