What's the best way to gain weight without causing skin breakouts?

July 5, 2010 11:30 AM

What's the best way to gain weight without causing skin breakouts?

I'm in my 30s and still get skin breakouts. I'm currently using a topical sulfacetamide that's working fairly well. I have not been able to determine, over the years, whether or not diet affects my skin. Honestly, when it's clear, it's clear, and food doesn't seem to affect it.

However, because I've had skin issues so long, I am starting to become very superstitious about the causes, and so I try to avoid inflammatory stuff like hard alcohol, or major sugar/salt food sources on general principle.

But thanks to some unfortunate genetics, I'm also chronically underweight due to high metabolism. I cannot seem to move from "very skinny" to average weight.

So, I am considering adding weight-gain milkshake supplements to my diet, but they are very heavy in sugar. Is there a better way to pack on pounds without (potentially) inflaming my skin?

posted by deern the headlice to Health & Fitness (12 answers total)

Until that high metabolism begins to slow, you can pretty much guarantee that you will never see any real gains in weight unless you can consume an immense number of calories indefinitely - like a reverse diet. This is too hard.

If you are like me, you will need to gain muscle to put on weight. Drink lots of milk, add protein shakes, keep your calorie count high without eating processed foods and find some activities that stimulate muscle growth.
posted by axismundi at 11:47 AM on July 5, 2010

There is a lot of evidence that shows that diet affects skin health. Definitely does with me. I avoid processed sugar like the plague and that makes all the difference in the world. I would suggest adding A LOT of healthy fats to your diet, avocados, nuts, olive oil, butter (yes, butter in my opinion is a healthy fat) and salmon. Fats are more calorie dense than carbs as well. FWIW, I'm in the same position as you, underweight, etc, and I've seen most progress when I'm eating three square meals a day, heavy on the fats, with snacks throughout the day.
posted by DeltaForce at 11:53 AM on July 5, 2010

You aren't going to gain weight or muscle without eating calories in excess. You're just going to have to eat a ton of food and figure out which foods set your skin off and not eat those.
posted by Anonymous at 12:03 PM on July 5, 2010

This is a pain, but you could keep a food diary to be more scientific about it. It might help you pinpoint which foods cause breakouts.
posted by annsunny at 12:20 PM on July 5, 2010

So, I am considering adding weight-gain milkshake supplements to my diet, but they are very heavy in sugar.

You don't need products marketed specifically for weight gain, you just need to eat more. Tracking your nutrition may be helpful to you, both for the reason annsunny mentions and because you can make sure you're hitting your caloric targets -- underweight folks who think they eat a lot often underestimate their intake. Lots of people recommend drinking whole milk as an easy way to gain weight. If you want to gain muscle and bone rather than just fat, which is a good idea, you should look into strength training.
posted by useyourmachinegunarm at 12:24 PM on July 5, 2010

I'm always fighting to keep weight on, as well (I'm currently attempting to get 5-8 lbs. on before surgery in a couple of months). Supplements never did much for me; I've only had success by increasing intake of nutritious calorie-dense foods (lean proteins, avocados, whole-fat dairy, nuts, dried fruits, etc.) while doing strength training to build muscle.
posted by scody at 12:31 PM on July 5, 2010

Not all weight gain shakes contain sugar. Look for one that's unsweetened or has stevia. If taste is an issue, add fruit when you blend it.
Also, get Scrawny to Brawny.
posted by rocket88 at 1:29 PM on July 5, 2010

Have you talked to your doctor - family doc or specialist - (if you have one) about your weight issues? They might have some good suggestions about diet, or perhaps you could be referred to a dietician.
posted by purlgurly at 2:32 PM on July 5, 2010

I have moderate acne. I've never noticed a connection between alcohol/sugar/fat consumption and skin quality for myself. I haven't regularly seen fat people with poor skin, or alcoholics tending to have breakouts. I suspect the whole "diet affecting skin quality" is less about science than it is about generalizing guilt about poor dietary habits. That said, the only things that helped my skin were Cetaphil cleanser, then a tea tree oil cleanser, and jojoba oil moisterizer. Diet has been whatever I want.
posted by mnemonic at 2:39 PM on July 5, 2010

You don't need a "weight gain shake" to gain weight (just look at most of America). You can (and will) gain weight by eating exactly what you're eating now, but more.
posted by telegraph at 3:34 PM on July 5, 2010

underweight folks who think they eat a lot often underestimate overestimate their intake
posted by useyourmachinegunarm at 4:14 PM on July 5, 2010

Seconding gaining muscle though exercise and eating. It took me 13 years to finally go from 135 to 146 and I did it in 6 months. I basically just worked out everysince day and made sure to eat every 2 hours whether i was hungry or not. Note: You will not gain weight through eating alone (I tried for years never worked) you have to exercise.

This article should help.

http://www.ironmagazine.com/article68.html
posted by Takeyourtime at 2:39 PM on July 6, 2010