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Last Updated: Oct 23, 2019
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How To Gain Weight

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Dt. Neha SuryawanshiDietitian/Nutritionist • 19 Years Exp.M.Sc. in Dietetics and Food Service Management , Post Graduate Diploma In Computer Application, P.G.Diploma in Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics , B.Sc.Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics
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How to gain weight –

Counting calories: Calculate your basic calorie requirement. You want to know how to gain weight? you will have to increase your calorie intake. Add 500 calories per day to your current requirement. Those who work out or are physically very active, have a higher energy requirement. If such is a case the calories consumed should be greater than the amount of calories you burn.

Eat more: The most common answer to your question how to gain weight. Everybody will ask you to eat more. Yes, you need to increase the quantity of food you eat, but at the same time you have to make sure you are eating healthy. Eat five to six meals a day. Avoid skipping any meal. Knowing how to gain weight involves consistent eating. Increase your portion size. If you eat 2 chapatis, then start eating a 3rd one. Take a second scoop of pasta, or add two bananas to your bowl of cereals. 
 
• Choose calorie: Dense foods: choose foods that are higher in healthy calories. For example choose to eat corn, potatoes or peas instead of carrots and cucumbers. Eat a banana, custard apple, chikku or mango instead of a watermelon or orange juice. Peanut butters and cheese makes a calorie-dense yet nutritious spread for your sandwich. Read food labels for the serving size 

 
Adopt good habits: The repetitive advice to increase your food intake does not mean you start eating unhealthy, fried, sweet or junk food for that matter. Adopt healthy habits. Eat your meals on time. Do not skip any meal, specially breakfast. Whatever you eat at breakfast is better absorbed and utilized by your system. So don’t forget to take a handful of nuts everyday along with good quality protein like toned milk and boiled eggs. Maintain a 2 hour window between each meal so that you can feel he hunger and eat better quantities.

Add more liquids: You may be thinking how to gain weight with liquids. But drinking appropriate quantity of water or other liquids will help you in flushing all the waste products accumulated after digestion of those extra calories you ate. Drink water or juices. If you dislike drinking water, choose on flavored water, apple juice, milkshakes, smoothies etc. Specially if you are working out, the body needs that extra liter of water.

Avoid junk food: All this while you read that you must increase your calorie intake. A lot of people often use the synonym high calorie to junk food. What we forget is that junk food is not only high in calories but provides trans fats. Sure you want to know how to gain weight, but in a healthy manner. Avoid cupcakes, cookies, cakes, margarine, processed meats and packaged foods.

 
Weight training: A lot of people are of an opinion that exercise is for people who want to lose weight. How to gain weight with exercise? exercise works both ways and will make you fit by getting you to your right weight. Whether it requires losing some pounds or putting on some pounds, exercise will stimulate your appetite, increase your energy needs and more over convert those extra calories into muscle instead of fat. Read about protein supplements.

Sleep more: Sleeping is the best thing you could do to keep yourself healthy. Yes it is as important as exercising is. Unfit people are almost always sleep deprived. Make sure you sleep for at least 7-8 hours every day.

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