5 Healthy Ways to Gain Weight

In a world where population is on an eating binge and obesity rate is on the rise, there is a constant battle to beat the bulge. On the other hand, the underweight are fighting their own struggle to gain weight. For people who are desperately trying to put on weight, the idea of being underweight isn’t something they feel proud of. Although being lean can often be healthy, being underweight can be a concern if it’s the result of poor health or lack of appetite. However, to gain weight stuffing yourself with whatever you can eat is not right. You must do it the healthy way. Here’s how.

1. Eat small meals more frequently- When you are underweight, you may feel full faster. Consider eating 5-6 small meals throughout the day to increase your calorie intake rather than 2-3 large meals.

2. Add healthy toppings- Without really changing your diet you can increase your intake of calories by adding extras to your dishes such as cheese, seed toppings, nuts, scrambled eggs and fat-free dried milk in soups and stews.

3. Try smoothies and shakes- Instead of filling up on coffee and soda which have few calories and little nutritional value, drink smoothies and healthy shakes prepared with milk or fresh or frozen juice. You can also sprinkle some ground flaxseeds to add extra nutrition to your food.

4. Exercise- While too much of aerobic exercise can work against your goal of gaining weight, exercise like strength training such as yoga or weight lifting will help you gain weight by building muscles. Exercising will also stimulate your appetite.

5. Drink heavy calorie fluids with meals- It is believed that drinking fluids before meals reduces your appetite making you feel less hungry. It is true for people trying to lose weight but for others, sipping higher calorie beverages along with a meal or snack will result in weight gain.

Before beginning any weight gain programme, make sure to consult your doctor. Being underweight may indicate an underlying health issue and certain diet changes alone may not be helpful. Your doctor will be able to help you track your health progress and suggest treatment if necessary.