Although weight gain is simply a matter of consuming more calories than you burn each day, doing so can be more difficult than you might imagine. Having a high metabolism or engaging in a lot of physical activity can impede your attempts to gain weight, but eating certain foods can encourage success. Eating spaghetti may help you gain weight more quickly than if you ate foods with different nutritional values.
Calorie Content
Eating spaghetti regularly can encourage weight gain because it is a calorie-dense food, compared to some other foods. One cup of cooked spaghetti provides 220 calories, which is more than 10 percent of your daily recommended calorie intake. Spaghetti is higher in calories than many other foods, such as chicken noodle soup, which provides just 120 calories per serving. Having a high-calorie content can help a food make up for calories you burn during activity. For example, two cups of spaghetti provides enough calories to cancel out two hours of weightlifting, according to MayoClinic.com.
Protein Content
Spaghetti is a protein-rich food, as one cup provides 8 g of protein. Protein can be beneficial for weight gain because it is a nutrient your body uses to build muscle and other tissues. Nutrition researcher Dr. John Berardi explains that increasing your protein intake can lead to increased muscle mass, as protein consumption can stimulate release of insulin-like growth factor 1, a muscle-building hormone.
Carbohydrate Content
Another way in which spaghetti can help you gain weight is based on the fact that it is rich in carbohydrates. One cup of cooked spaghetti offers 43 g of carbohydrates, with just 2.5 g of fiber. Health and nutrition website NaturalNews.com notes that high-carbohydrate diets can stimulate your appetite more than lower carbohydrate diets, making them beneficial for weight gain. Having a low fiber content is important for weigh gain, as fiber can encourage feelings of fullness.
Associated Foods
Spaghetti is rarely eaten alone, and a lot of the foods commonly served with spaghetti can help you gain weight. Spaghetti is often cooked with olive oil, which can help you gain weight with its high calorie content; 1 tbsp. provides 120 calories. Spaghetti can also be served with Alfredo sauce, which also aids in weight gain; the cheesy topping provides 110 calories per 1/4 cup.
References
- LIVESTRONG.COM MyPlate: Calories in Tesco Spaghetti
- LIVESTRONG.COM MyPlate: Calories in Publix Chicken Noodle Soup
- Mayo Clinic: Exercise For Weight Loss: Calories Burned in 1 Hour
- JohnBerardi.com; Protein Prejudice; John M. Berardi; March 7, 2003
- Natural News; Carbohydrates Lead to Weight Gain Because They 'Stimulate Excessive Appetites', New Study Says; Mike Adams; April 17, 2005
- LIVESTRONG.COM MyPlate: Calories in BertolliSammy's Woodfired Pizza Roast Chicken Pesto Wrap
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