Our expert says:
DietDoc
Dear Lee
It would help if you could both stop smoking, so do give it a try. Your wife is indeed underweight with a BMI of 18,6. For an ideal BMI of 22, she would need to weigh 67 kg, thus a gain of 10 kg. I have written a number of articles on 'Weight gaining', which you can access by clicking on 'Diet' at the top of this page and then on 'Diet Basics' and 'Weight gaining'. Companies like Fresenius Kabi and Nestle, among others, make meal replacement supplements Phone Fresenius on (011) 545-0000, or the Nestle Consumer Services at 0860 09 6789 and ask about Nutritional Supplements to boost your wife's energy intake. Basically she needs to eat more food either by gradually increasing how much she eats at each meal, or by taking supplements IN ADDITION to her regular meals (not to replace meals), or by having more snacks between meals. If she uses a meal supplement such as Fresubin, with or without fibre, at the rate of 200 ml 3x a day, then she should gain 1 kg per week. By this method, your wife's weight gain regimen should not interfere with your energy intake.
Best regards
DietDoc
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