Bronchiectasis and diet

I managed to gain 4 pounds from my lowest whilst still on antibiotics over about 6 months, but felt like I was constantly eating or thinking about it!
I did eat ice cream with hot fudge and caramel before bed almost every night during that time. I also put Orgain a double scoop protein'n'greens in my smoothies, and tried to drink about 12 oz a day (keeps for 3 days in refrigerator.)
My shake recipe - 1 c full-fat Greek yogurt, 2 c fruit (mixed berries, mangoes, bananas, oranges - fresh or frozen) one carrot, one large avocado (or frozen equivalent), two large scoops protein powder, blended with milk or ice. Sometimes a little peanut or sunflower butter. (I think 6 ounces was 120-150 calories depending on what was in it.)
Sue

You say, ..."I may need to give greater thought to it all, expecially the dairy. ANY THOUGHTS to share,"
Here are my thoughts -
What we need to consider as individuals with Bronchiectasis and/or MAC is where we fall in terms of having a healthy body mass. We have all been brainwashed to believe "the thinner the better." And thin can be healthy IF it is deliberate, is accompanied by a healthy diet, our blood chemistry is all good, and our body has sufficient reserves. BUT when weight loss is beyond voluntary, and we begin to look gaunt and are losing muscle mass...it can be time for action.

We have also been told, at various times, dairy is bad for us, red meat is bad, carbs are bad...the list is endless depending on the celebrity "experts" and diets du jour. Over 40 years ago, my grandmother's doctor told my mother and me "Keep some meat on your bones, you need it when you get sick like Ruby is now" and although my weight was always appropriate for my height and body type, I never stressed over whether I weighed 115 pounds or 125, I just continued to eat a healthy diet and stay active.

Over the past 20 years, I have had quite a few major surgeries and health complications including heavy metal poisoning, Graves Disease (hyperthyroidism), Bronchiectasis and MAC; during those times my weight often fell alarmingly, to below 100 pounds.

Using the dieticians' advice from the NJH videos, in 2018 I put myself on a regimen that included healthy, high-density foods, including dairy, meat, beans, oils and nuts. At times when food was unappealing to me, I forced myself to eat one small portion every hour - a piece of aged cheese, full-fat yogurt with fruit, a hard-boiled egg, an ounce of cashews, 4-6 ounces of a high-protein smoothie. Plus at least 2 regular meals each day. Over two years after stopping antibiotic therapy, I finally got back to 120 pounds, and have stayed near it for over a year now.

Now in my 70's, I eat a 50-50 mix of the "American diet" - meat and potatoes, pizza, etc, and a "cleaner" diet. For example today instead of dinner, we will have shrimp with cocktail sauce, cheese and maybe hard sausage, healthy crackers with dips (both bean & sour cream choices), a fruit plate, raw veggies, chips, and probably some sweets, at our football party. Tomorrow's dinner will be (real) Mexican food, which includes salad, beans or bean soup, fresh salsa & avocado with a few chips, a little lean meat and a few corn tortillas. Wednesday will be a vegetable soup or stir-fry with chicken and maybe some wild rice. Our daytime food is yogurt with fruit, healthy granola or seeds, cheese or peanut butter with crackers and fruit, raw veggies or veggie juices, nuts, toast with peanut butter, protein shakes, wholegrain snack bars, homemade trail mix. Our indulgence is one or 2 pieces of good dark chocolate. or very occasionally a dish of good ice cream.

Hi Sue, I’m new to this site & was just diagnosed with MAC a week ago. I also have bronchiectasis. I already do airway clearance and have been doing tons of research. I was curious about the weight issue that many in this group are commenting on. Do most who participate in the 3 drug treatment for Mac lose weight? Thanks

Many of us find we have lost weight from the infection even before we begin treatment. Then, some of us suffer loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, or strange taste from the antibiotics which causes more weight loss.
This is highly individual...I was at an "ideal" BMI before I got sick, and over less than a year lost 20% of my body weight - pretty scary.
Other people find little to no effect on their weight.
Like everything else with MAC & Bronchiectasis, it is highly individual.
What have you experienced so far?
Sue

Also, I will start taking mullein, another herbal supplement.

Have you found a reputable brand? And has it been tested by a 3rd party? Would like to purchase some, but want to be sure it’s a pure quality product.
Thanks for your help