If your doctor has suggested that you gain weight, it doesn't have to cost a fortune. You don't need expensive supplements or shakes to add a few pounds to your frame. Instead, focus on eating a variety of nutritious, protein-rich foods that will help you gain weight the healthy way. Talk to your doctor before making any modifications in your diet plan, particularly if you have health conditions.
Add Healthy Calories
Although eating nothing but French fries and hamburgers will probably cause weight gain, it won't provide healthy weight gain. Instead of reaching for fast food, choose foods that are high in healthy fats, like nuts, seeds, olive oil and avocado. These foods are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, so they won't clog your arteries and put you at risk for heart disease. Although these ingredients can be pricey, buy them in bulk when they go on sale. This way, you'll always have them on hand.
Snack Often
Fruits, vegetables, string cheese and crackers with peanut butter make great snacks, so keep your fridge stocked with them. Fresh fruits and vegetables are more expensive than frozen or canned, but you can still gain healthy weight with the frugal options. Mix frozen fruit, yogurt and flax seeds in a blender to create a nutritious smoothie. Munch on nutritious snacks as often as you can to increase the amount of calories you eat throughout the day.
Spread it On
Spread inexpensive, high-protein toppings to your meal to add extra calories. Instead of eating plain crackers or carrot sticks, spread them with peanut butter or hummus. Spread sour cream on your baked potato and add a dab to a chili dish. Spread toast with 100 percent fruit jelly or dip it into olive oil to add more healthy calories. If you don't have the money for extra toppings, get creative with spreads and toppings that you already have in the cupboard.
Stir in Extra Ingredients
Sprinkle nuts and cheese on your meals to add more protein and calories. Sprinkle almonds in your salads, cheddar cheese in your soup and walnuts in your oatmeal. If you're on a budget, buy a container of powdered milk and add it to recipes like hot cereal and chicken casserole. You can even add extra powdered milk to the milk in your cereal to add a few additional calories to your meal.
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