High-calorie And Low-sugar Foods

Many high-calorie foods that have low sugar content also are high in fat. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, you should be careful to ensure the calories you consume at least provide essential vitamins and minerals and are not empty calories. High-protein diets, such as the Atkins' Diet primarily rely on food that is low in sugar and high in fat calories.

Benefits

People with various medical conditions may need to rely on foods that are high in calories to maintain their strength and support the healing process. According to the National Cancer Institute, many people undergoing chemotherapy treatments need to find ways to increase their calorie consumption while they have a difficult time eating. Adding high-calorie ingredients can help. Sugar-free instant protein mixes can be added to milk and other beverages for those on a liquid diet and adding butter to hot cereal and soups can provide extra calories without adding to the sugar count.

Warning

Diets that restrict any one nutrient for a long period of time will have medical consequences, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. A low-carbohydrate diet that restricts the natural sugars that come from fruits and vegetables, for example, will deplete the body of essential vitamins and minerals. The phytonutrients from fresh fruit is vital to overall health.

Features

High-protein foods are particularly low in sugar and can contain high calories from fat. According to the Weight-Control Information Network, whole dairy products provide substantial increases in calories without adding sugar. To get more calories, choose whole milk, yogurt and cheese. To reduce the amount of sugar in dairy products, look for lactose-free versions of milk and other dairy items.

Effects

You can increase the number of calories you eat by choosing fatty cuts of beef and leaving the skin on poultry. At the same time, by eating red meat and poultry, you will be getting sufficient amounts of protein, zinc and iron. Nuts are another effective source of calories that don't add sugar to your diet. Nuts, such as peanuts, walnuts and almonds can provide your diet with healthier fats that don't cause clogged arteries. Nuts also contain dietary fiber and protein, and provide copper and magnesium.

Considerations

Foods that are low in sugar usually are higher in fat. To get the most out of your choices, look for healthy fats in the high-calorie choices you make. In addition to nuts, look for high-calorie food that contains monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats to maintain your blood sugar levels and avoid heart disease, notes MayoClinic.com. Healthy, high-calorie foods include olives and avocados. Add high- calorie oils, such as olive, canola and peanut oils to dishes for additional calories.