What food choice would you advise for someone who is trying to gain weight?
Being underweight is not good for your health. Find out what you can do if you're concerned about yourself or someone else. Show Weighing too little can contribute to a weakened immune system, fragile bones and feeling tired. You can check if you're underweight by using our BMI healthy weight calculator, which shows your body mass index (BMI). If your BMI is below 18.5, this suggests that your weight may be too low. If you're underweight, or you're concerned that someone you know is, tell a GP or practice nurse. They can give you help and advice. Why are you underweight?If the healthy weight calculator has told you that you may be underweight, think about why this might be. For example, have you:
Eating disordersIf you feel anxious or worried when you think about food, or feel that stress or low self-esteem are affecting the way you eat, you may have an eating disorder. If you think you may have an eating disorder, talk to someone you trust. Consider speaking to a GP, because help is available. If you're concerned about someone else, find out how you can support them. Why being underweight could be a problemBeing underweight is not good for you. It could cause:
How to put on weight safelyIf diet is the cause of your low weight, changing to a healthy, balanced diet that provides the right amount of calories for your age, height and how active you are can help you achieve a healthy weight. Aim to gain weight gradually until you reach a healthy weight. Try to avoid relying on high-calorie foods full of saturated fat and sugar – such as chocolate, cakes and sugary drinks – to gain weight. These foods can increase body fat instead of lean body mass and increase your risk of developing high levels of cholesterol in your blood. Instead, aim for regular meals and occasional snacks, and base your diet on the Eatwell Guide. This means:
If you're having foods and drinks that are high in fat, salt and sugar, have these less often and in small amounts. Try to choose a variety of different foods from the 5 main food groups. Learn more about these food groups and how they form part of a healthy diet. However, it's important to remember that the Eatwell Guide is aimed at the general population. For those who need more specialised nutrition advice, consult a GP or a registered dietitian. If you do not eat meat, find out how to have a healthy vegetarian diet. Tips to boost your calorie intakeIf you're trying to gain weight, eat foods that are not only healthy but also high in energy. Try the following:
Although fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies count towards your 5 A Day, remember to limit these to no more than a combined total of 150ml a day. Underweight older peopleEating less and unintentional weight loss can affect older people. But getting older does not mean that losing weight is inevitable. Find out what to do if you're over 60 and underweight. What tips would you give someone trying to gain weight?The best way to healthily gain weight is to consume more calories than you're burning by eating a variety of nutrient-dense healthy foods. Even though processed foods are high in calories, they don't have the health benefits and nutritional value compared to real, whole foods.
What food makes you gain weight?11 Foods That May Contribute to Weight Gain. Soda. Soda is high in calories and added sugar, yet it lacks important nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants ( 1 ). ... . Sugar-sweetened coffee. ... . Pizza. ... . Cookies and doughnuts. ... . French fries and potato chips. ... . Sugary breakfast cereals. ... . Chocolate. ... . Fruit juice.. |