Some men may have a difficult time gaining weight. Men are considered underweight if they are 15 to 20 percent below a normal body weight for their height, according to "Krauses's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy." Being underweight isn't healthy, and even increases your mortality risk. In order to promote weight gain, you have to consume more calories.
Bread and Cereals
High calorie breads and cereals include granola, croissants, biscuits, muffins and quick breads. You can increase the caloric density of hot cereal by making it with whole milk and adding butter or margarine and sugar. In order to gain weight, you need to eat 500 to 1,000 additional calories a day, says "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy."
Vegetables
Vegetables are naturally low in calories, so to increase calories you'll need to add sauces or fats, according to Drugs.com. Adding cheese sauce or butter to any vegetable makes it a high calorie food. You can also cook your vegetables in butter or oil to boost calories. Fried vegetables are also high in calories.
Fruits
Most fruits are also naturally low in calories. High calorie fruits include canned fruit packed in syrup and dried fruit. Juice is also considered a high calorie food and can be an easy way for you to add calories without making you feel too full. When you are trying to gain weight and eating more at meal times, it may help to wait and drink after you are full from eating, says Columbia University Medical Center.
Meats and Meat Substitutes
High calorie meats and meat substitutes for men include fried meats, meats covered in gravy and peanut butter. The Columbia University Medical Center says when you are trying to increase your calorie intake to gain weight, eat six small meals instead of three large meals.
Milk and Milk Products
Whole fat milk products can be a good source of extra calories in your diet. High calorie milk products include whole milk, full fat cheese, ice cream, pudding, cottage cheese, whipped cream and heavy cream. Making shakes out of whole milk and ice cream is an easy way to add calories to your diet, according to New York University Langone Medical Center.
Other Foods
Other high calorie foods include jelly, syrup, butter, margarine, mayonnaise, salad dressing, honey, sugar and sour cream. Most of these foods help to increase the caloric density other foods, such as adding mayonnaise to a sandwich and butter and jelly to your toast.
References
- Drugs.com: High Protein/High Calorie Diet
- Columbia University Medical Center: Guidelines for a High Calorie Diet
- New York University Langone Medical Center: High Calorie High Protein Diet
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; L. Kathleen Mahan, Sylvia Escott-Stump; 1996



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