It sounds like kwashiorkor, which is seen most often in developing countries. It's caused by inadequate protein and energy consumption. Protein is needed to maintain the circulatory system, to pull fluids out of tissues when needed. Lack of enough protein to accomplish this results in swelling. Do you have swelling at your joints, too, particularly ankles?

The reason for the pregnant-looking belly is the fluid building up. A second reason is that the liver becomes fatty. This is related: you know how you have lymph nodes that get swollen when your body's fighting some sort of infection? Well, it needs protein. When it doesn't get it, it can't help maintain the way fluids are processed in the body (hence the swelling,) it can't process fat properly (hence the fatty liver,) and immune system functioning is depressed, so it's harder to fight off illnesses and infections.

The term "kwashiorkor" is derived from Ghana. It means "disease of the child when the new baby is born," because the older child is no longer getting the protein-rich mother's milk.

Please go to your doctor.

And please eat more protein and vitamin-rich foods (produce,) because vitamins help the body use protein effectively.

If you don't like eating meat, other protein sources include beans, nuts, eggs, yogurt, cheese, hummus, and peanut butter, to name a few.

I struggle with eating enough sometimes, too. I'm glad you posted, and hope this information is helpful. I'm glad you posted, and hope your health improves.