What Foods can I Eat to Gain Weight?

Choose a generous portion of meat, poultry, fish, seafood, legumes or tofu, and serve with a side of green and colorful vegetables. Add a serving of starchy foods such as potatoes, sweet corn, rice or pasta as energy-dense carbohydrate sources. Add a few more calories to plain potatoes with gravy, and top your vegetables and starches with butter, margarine (trans-fat free), olive oil, sauces or cheese.

If you prefer to snack on smaller meals throughout the day, choose energy-dense foods, such as trail mix made with dried fruit, granola, nuts and seeds. Eat sandwiches made with peanut or other nut butters, or use lean turkey or chicken breast slices and add calories with cheese or avocado. Creamed soups are generally higher in calories than clear broths, and you can add even calories to by adding a spoonful of dry milk powder.

You might be tempted to buy dietary supplements for bodybuilding that promise weight gain and bigger muscles. Some of these products may contain hidden ingredients that can be harmful or compounds that haven't been studied for efficacy or safety. The United States Food and Drug Administration maintains a list of tainted bodybuilding products that should be avoided.

If you feel you can't gain weight by simply increasing your caloric intake, you should see your health care provider before taking any protein or weight-gaining supplements. Resistance training exercises (weight lifting) may help to increase your muscle size, which will increase your body weight. Aerobic exercises, such as running and stationary bicycling, are better for fat loss and excessive aerobic training may cause you to lose more weight.

Resistance training can be done at a health club, gym, or at home with the proper equipment. Not sure what to eat to gain weight? Don't settle for high-calorie junk foods, eat these healthy foods instead: Foods To Gain Weight.

Find out how much weight you'll need to gain during your pregnancy: How Much Weight Should I Gain While I'm Pregnant? Understanding how energy-density works will help you gain weight by choosing foods that are higher in calories: What is Energy-Density? Have you filled out your frame with a few healthy pounds?

How did you do it? What Are Your Favorite Foods For Gaining Weight? Are you're frequently strapped for time?

I've got tips for Healthful Foods In a Hurry. "Appetite - Decreased." Woods NF, LaCroix AZ, Gray SL, Aragaki A, Cochrane BB, Brunner RL, Masaki K, Murray A, Newman AB; Women's Health Initiative.