Read and follow the weight gaining diet, tips and program given below.
Why you are underweight? Why you need weight gain?
The cause or reasons for being underweight are chronic diseases, eating disorders and lack of physical activity. Elderly people, male & female who do not eat properly may become underweight. You may be underweight due to hereditary reasons.
An underweight, too thin person becomes frail and is at the risk of getting chronic diseases.
Weight Gain Tips : How To Gain Weight
Weight gain is as difficult as losing it, if you are naturally thin. Gaining weight is a problem for many people. They complain that they can't put on any weight. Following are some tips to follow to gain weight. You will take some time to gain the weight you need, but be patient.
Consume more calories than you burn. Choose healthy foods to add calories.
Drink healthy beverages to add calories.
Mangoes are rich in calories and carbohydrates, include them in your diet.
Eat healthy food frequently, 5-6 times a day - 3 larger meals and 3 smaller meals alternately. Separate them by at least 3 hours so you can digest each meal fully. Don't go without food for 5-6 hours after having a major meal.
For example, if you wish to consume 3000 calories a day, you may eat 3 larger meals of about 650 calories and 3 smaller meals of about 450 calories.
Have a balanced diet.
Exercise regularly for healthy weight gain. Some thin people think that exercise is not good for them. This is not true, it keeps the metabolism high. Remember that eating alone is not sufficient. You don't want to gain fat but lean mass, so exercise is important.
Resistance training exercises will help to increase your muscle mass, which in turn will increase your metabolism. Learn to distinguish between weight gaining exercises and weight loss exercises.
Note that if you do not get enough amino acids during exercise, the existing muscle may break down. Amino acids come from protein rich foods.
Weight Gaining Foods
Protein is the key for the muscle mass. Without adequate protein, muscle gain is not possible because weight training demand for amino acids (which comes from protein).
You should daily eat about 2.2g of protein per kilogram (1g per pound) of your weight. For example, if you are 50kg (110pound), then you should eat 50x2.2=111g of protein spread over 5-6 meals in the day. Include high protein foods in your diet. Your protein intake should be from foods rather than from supplements.
Good sources of protein foods: whey, fish, dairy products (low fat variety), meats, nuts and seeds (almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds).
Milk is one of the best muscle foods.
The milk contains two high quality proteins, about 80 percent whey and 20 percent casein. Whey is quickly broken down into amino acids and absorbed into the bloodstream. Whey is very good to consume after workout. Casein is digested more slowly and provides the body with a steady supply of protein for a longer period of time.
Milk nutrition
Healthy fats: Avoid fatty foods. Most mothers, especially in India give too much ghee or butter to their children, thinking they will gain weight fast. But ghee is mostly saturated fat which is not a healthy fat for any body. Healthy fats are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 essential fatty acids.
Good fats: cold pressed oils (olive, sunflower, linseed, canola, best cooking oil)
Complex carbohydrates are also needed.
Some people think that drinking beer helps gain weight. But it is not true, it accumulates in your abdomen, making it fatty.
Don't take protein supplements. Consult your doctor for protein supplements.
Weight Gain Diets
It is not a good idea of Increasing intake of junk foods and fatty foods to gain weight. You should be eating calorie dense yet nutritious food. Your calorie intake should come from foods that are healthy for you. The weight gaining diet should include high protein foods, high carbohydrate foods and healthy fats. Include these in your diet.
Example of weight gain diet
Breakfast: Banana and milk or banana shake or smoothie, whole-grain toast, fruits, granola, nuts. Eat more fruit and drink less juice.
Do not give milk mixed with ghee to your child. It is not healthy.
Lunch: Roti/chapatti/wholegrain bread, rice, green vegetables, paneer (cottage cheese), dal, chickpeas (chole), black-eyed beans (lobia), rajma, whole wheat pudding (dalia), etc Dinner: Similar to lunch
In-between meals:: fruit, sandwich, yogurt (curd), milk, cheese, salad
Avoid deep fried snacks like samosa, pakodas, bhujia etc.
Avoid fast foods including donut.
