What's the healthiest way to gain weight?

Question

I'm ill, and I recently lost 40 pounds, and my body is at a state where my vitals have dropped and my organs aren't functioning correctly, so i'm on a weight gain plan set by the doctors of 2500 calories a day, but it's nearly impossible to get all those calories in without feeling SUPER sick! It's hard because im also lactose intollerant, and don't like to eat really fatty foods...so im trying to gain the weight with sugar and carbs, with lots of fruit, sorbet, fruit juice, jams etc. But Is that unhealthy? Does anyone have any tips? I want to know how to gain HEALTHY weight and not just pack the pounds onto my stomach and gut!!!!

Answer 1

Probably a little unhealthy. Your body needs protein, especailly if your are underweight. If you lost that much weight being ill, you probably lost alot of muscle. You should really add some lean meats, like chicken and turkey whenever you can. Also, some tofu meals might be more up you're alley. Try a Thai restaurant, they have loads of healty, tofu based meals, packed with veggies and tasty sauces. Finally, things like beans and lentils will provide some protein too, but they are really no substitute for meat. You should really find some acceptable meats: lean beef, pork, poultry...maybe a different "style" will help with taste (like middle eastern, mediteranean, asian, etc).

Answer 2

Please ignore most of the answers here. - Especially the ones mentioning donuts, twinkies, etc.

Believe it or not, excercise will help you gain weight if you do the right forms. Muscle building (weight lifting) excercises will build mass, and if fed with proteins, healthy carbs (whole wheat bread, 7 grain breads) , and healthy sugars (fruit, juice, etc..) you will gain.

the previously mentioned technique of eating many many small meals will actually produce weight LOSS. The concept is simple.

figure out how many calories a day it takes to operate your body.
eat more calories a day than that is. The more you eat of them (healthy calories, not twinkies) the faster you will gain.

The reason for the weight lifting is to make sure that your body puts the gain into muscle, and not fat.

You could do an "anti-atkins" diet, piling up on the pasta, & tomato sauces, but if you don't excercise, it'll just turn into fat.


Here's a higher calorie recipe for you.

1 Lb box of your choice of grocery store pasta such as ziti, farfalle, etc... Try to find a multigrain one.
1 pack of that pork sausuge in a "tube" that you find usually near the eggs and milk in your grocery store.
1 bottle of ragu/prego organic pasta sauce (hard to find in some areas, we have it here though)

grill up the pork sausage (you could substitute ground beef if you like - the lower grade, the better, actually.. 70/30 has more fat in it, and fat doesn't store as fat in your system, sugar stores as fat, fat works as a "lubricant" of sorts.) and add it to the pasta sauce.

I know you said you are lactose intolerant, so, get yourself some refrigerated chopped garlic (it's minced and stored in olive oil) put that (brush it on liberally!!) on some italian bread and broil it in your oven for.. ~20 minutes (depends on how close you put it. but should be obvious)

Work on that meal.

Good Spaghetti + meat + vegetables + sugars + bread + fats.

Eat as much of it as you possibly can.

In addition, stores like GNC have supplements that you can use that are rich in HEALTHY sugars, and are literally packed with calories.

When I began my weight training routine, I was drinking a 1,000 calorie shake EVERY DAY.

Answer 3

Isn't it great how helpful these people are? Sorry to hear you are ill. I would follow the doctors plan the best you can. What about those weight chocolate drinks in cans, like Ensure. They sell them in those bulk stores for a discount. Good luck.

Answer 4

Eat small portions at least 6 times a day to get your body used to the intake. You should see a dietist since this has had a huge impact on your body. Use rich whey proteins and healthy cabs and fats. Get some medical help though, it's to dangerous to do this all by yourself.

Answer 5

Listen to Paul H, its the only healthy way to gain weight. Body building. They will teach you how to eat so you create muscles quickly, not Fat. You dont want fat in you t body and you dont want to eat tons of sugar and develop diabetes! You want muscle, so weightlifting and a special diet that goes with it is the best way.

Answer 6

Eat about every 3 hours could be small portions, just try to eat about 5 times a day. So your stomach will get bigger and you be able to eat more, and eventually gain weight. But remember to do exersises.

Answer 7

Eat foods packed with calories so that you can fit in 2500 calories a day quicker. That's what I would do at least.

Answer 8

my lil sister is on this weight gain plan by Herbalife.its nothing else but a healthy nutrition plan to gain weight,loose weight, etc. also,its not expensive at all.It consists of smoothies,vitamins, etc. email me at [e-mail] if u want more info.

kristine

Answer 9

You should also incorporate some light exercises in this plan.
RULE OF THUMB: As long as your caloric intake is greater than your daily caloric use you'll gain weight
...good luck!

Answer 10

because of your condition it is safest to get a referral to a dietician or nutritional specialist who has a degree with appropriate training to properly help you instead of asking random people on the internet who don't know your medical history or lab results.