Sometimes, it's necessary to gain weight quickly. If you have been ill and shed a lot of weight, for example, you may wish to put the pounds back on in a short period of time. However, before you start on a diet intended to help you bulk up fast, discuss your plans with your doctor. Speedy weight gain isn't always healthy, and going overboard could put you on track to becoming overweight.
Increased Calories
Adding calories to your daily diet is one way to gain weight quickly. According to the Diet Channel website, adding 500 calories a day to your diet will help you gain up to 2 pounds a week, assuming you maintain the same activity levels.
Eating More
Physically consuming more foods is another tactic for putting on pounds fast. However, this doesn't mean you should load up on junk food. Increasing your intake of protein-rich and complex-carbohydrate-heavy foods will, however, allow you to bulk up, the Diet Channel advises. Lean sources of protein include eggs, fish and chicken. Sources of complex carbohydrates include cereals, brown rice, beans and whole grains like multi-grain and rye breads.
Food Choices
To gain weight fast, you shouldn't indiscriminately increase your food intake --- the types of foods you choose are important. Increasing the amount of healthy fats in your diet allow you to add calories and gain weight without putting your cholesterol levels or heart health at risk. The Diet Channel lists avocados, nuts and olive oil as sources of healthy fats. You can also add jams, peanut butter and honey to your diet in the form of snacks to add calories without adding unhealthy fats, suggests the Mayo Clinic. Eating plenty of vegetables and fruits is also essential for ensuring you get enough nutrients.
Considerations
It's not just a matter of what you eat when you're looking to gain weight; it's also a matter of how you eat. This means you should eat more often, the Mayo Clinic explains. Instead of piling all of your food intake into two or three meals, break those meals into five or six. Eating more often allows you to take in more calories and put on weight faster. Any time you feel hungry, snack on healthy, calorie-rich foods like nuts, protein bars and trail mix.
Keep Healthy
Putting on weight quickly does not mean it's a food free-for-all. Junk food is still bad for you, and eating an entire bag of chips might load you up on calories, but they'll be empty ones. Instead, make sure your diet is well-balanced and filled with nutritious foods. Steer clear of fried food, chips, baked goods, soda and candy.
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