JamieL
Active member
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2013
- Messages
- 51
- Reason
- Loved one DX
- Diagnosis
- 02/2013
- Country
- US
- State
- Texas
- City
- Dallas
Hi all-
I have been on the forums since February and just in passing read something Barbie mentioned about Benecal, or Benecalorie. I just felt this was important enough to make it's own, current, topic "just in case" is helpful for anyone.
My mom has bulbar onset ALS and so swallowing/speaking are her main issues. She is very opposed to getting a PEG, at least for now. Extreme weight loss was her main symptom that people were noticing. She has ZERO appetite and chokes easily so it's kind of an ordeal to eat so I think she just avoids it. My dad has been making these shakes for her. He's improved his formula over the months and is pretty obsessive about it! We got him them an awesome blender, "the ninja," so he makes up a batch in the morning and brings her small glasses throughout the day. Our goal has been as much calories and protein as we can get in it so it's got greek yogurt, peanut butter, ice cream, etc. in it. Weight-wise she has been holding her own. She went to the ALS clinic (first "true" clinic visit) on May 10. She is about 5'6 and was 110 pounds. Not good.
So no change in weight- no loss, so we were sort of happy. Then I ordered the Benecalorie online after Barbie mentioned it. It is a 1.5oz little container of flavorless fluid and has 350 calories and 7 grams of protein! For someone who is viewing her shakes as an ordeal, volume MATTERS. So to get that much bang for your buck is huge. My dad has been adding one to her glass every other serving (so 2 per day). She started this on May 22. I talked to her last night and she sounded SO much better. Laughing, energetic (almost), and said she felt so much better. I asked why she thought that was and she giggled and said "well I've gained 8 pounds since taking that stuff you ordered for me." EIGHT pounds for a 72 year old PALS in less than a month?!
Soooo I'm pleased. I realize this isn't a cure, blah blah, but this is about "tips, tricks and gadgets" right? If you or your PALS needs to gain weight and is still able to eat, or just want to supplement/maintain, I wanted to mention this product.
THANK YOU BARBIE!
I have been on the forums since February and just in passing read something Barbie mentioned about Benecal, or Benecalorie. I just felt this was important enough to make it's own, current, topic "just in case" is helpful for anyone.
My mom has bulbar onset ALS and so swallowing/speaking are her main issues. She is very opposed to getting a PEG, at least for now. Extreme weight loss was her main symptom that people were noticing. She has ZERO appetite and chokes easily so it's kind of an ordeal to eat so I think she just avoids it. My dad has been making these shakes for her. He's improved his formula over the months and is pretty obsessive about it! We got him them an awesome blender, "the ninja," so he makes up a batch in the morning and brings her small glasses throughout the day. Our goal has been as much calories and protein as we can get in it so it's got greek yogurt, peanut butter, ice cream, etc. in it. Weight-wise she has been holding her own. She went to the ALS clinic (first "true" clinic visit) on May 10. She is about 5'6 and was 110 pounds. Not good.
So no change in weight- no loss, so we were sort of happy. Then I ordered the Benecalorie online after Barbie mentioned it. It is a 1.5oz little container of flavorless fluid and has 350 calories and 7 grams of protein! For someone who is viewing her shakes as an ordeal, volume MATTERS. So to get that much bang for your buck is huge. My dad has been adding one to her glass every other serving (so 2 per day). She started this on May 22. I talked to her last night and she sounded SO much better. Laughing, energetic (almost), and said she felt so much better. I asked why she thought that was and she giggled and said "well I've gained 8 pounds since taking that stuff you ordered for me." EIGHT pounds for a 72 year old PALS in less than a month?!
Soooo I'm pleased. I realize this isn't a cure, blah blah, but this is about "tips, tricks and gadgets" right? If you or your PALS needs to gain weight and is still able to eat, or just want to supplement/maintain, I wanted to mention this product.
THANK YOU BARBIE!