With so many people trying to lose weight, little thought is given to those who remain uncomfortably skinny and would do anything to add some kilos. Is there anything wrong with being skinny? Well, while it is not necessarily unhealthy, being very thin comes with its own challenges. If you fall in this category, you know how it feels to be confused for a much younger person, most likely a child. Even worse is when you clothes shopping and you’re directed to the children’s section to check your size.
Weight gain also takes some effort, especially if you remain thin even on a normal diet. More importantly, you need to ensure that you’re gaining healthy weight that will not bring you health conditions or go overboard into excess weight. Junk food may crank up the kilos, but the side-effects will outdo the benefits in the long run.
Here are some tips to help you gain weight safely:
- Drink your Food: Liquid food is a good way to add nutrition without feeling too full and bloated. If anything, drinks like fresh juice help in digestion allowing you to eat more. Drink plenty of juice, milk, smoothies, milk shakes and even blended food where applicable. Even for those with poor appetite, drinking is easier than taking solid foods.
- Eat Nutrient-Dense Foods: Take in that extra nutrition without having to eat large quantities of food by ensuring that every bite you take is packed with nutrients and calories. Such foods include red meat, dried fruit, peanuts, peanut butter and whole grains. Dried fruit shrinks by about 75% once the water is removed, leaving every small portion richly packed with nutrients. Focusing on quality before quantity will leave your body well-nourished and add some much desired pounds.
- Combine Foods: Throw in several groups together in every meal. Aim for at least 3, which makes a balanced diet. For instance, if you’re having a normal meal of rice and beef stew, add some banana slices, nuts, avocado and a drink of your choice such as milk or fruit juice. When taking slices of bread, add peanut butter or margarine. You can also add ham or bacon to make a sandwich. Always look for an opportunity to add one more food group to your meal.
- Eat regularly: Your body is continuously consuming energy. When you stay for more than 5 hours without a meal, an alternative source of energy is sought, which is muscle mass in this case. Loss of muscle will in turn make you skinnier. Ensure this does not happen by eating regularly, more than the conventional 3 meals per day. Snack often, without resulting to junk food.
- Eat right before Sleeping: Most of the food we eat during the day provides energy for the day’s activities. Since we’re not as active during the night, a good portion of the food will be stored as fat. If you regularly eat just before sleeping, you’ll gradually add weight.
Extreme underweight is just as disturbing as being overweight. Clothes don’t fit. You generally look funny and are likely to attract plenty of teasing. Hoping the above tips will help you gain just the right weight for your body.
1 comment
I hate when someone asks me if am not eating well all because am skinny.. I really need this thankyou