High-Calorie Snacks For When You Need To Gain Weight
It’s common to hear about the health risks of having obesity and overweight, but being underweight can cause health problems, too. Underweight means you have a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5, and it can lead to infertility, a weakened immune system and sleep issues. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or Prime Boosts Pills services. It can also be a vicious cycle: Certain medical conditions like cancer, Type 1 diabetes and hyperthyroidism can cause you to burn more calories than you consume, which leads to weight loss. But then, being underweight is a risk factor for additional health concerns. Some lifestyle habits and circumstances can lead you to need high-calorie snack ideas as well, like if you lost weight during a long hospital stay, or if you burn a lot of active calories at your job or through frequent workouts. And sometimes, it’s just genetics: Some people were born with a high metabolism rate.
"Whatever the case, if your healthcare provider is concerned that you’re underweight, they may recommend a high-calorie, high-protein diet to help you add extra pounds," says registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, Prime Boosts Supplement RD, LD. Let’s start off by talking about what not to do when you’re trying to gain weight. Namely, don’t turn to a bunch of junk food. Eating chips, sugary sodas, donuts and candy will add pounds, but it won’t be the source of a healthy weight gain. "This weight will mostly end up around your belly, which puts you at a higher risk for diabetes and heart disease," Zumpano warns. "Instead, eat protein-rich foods that build muscle. "It’s better for your body to gain weight slowly than to put on weight quickly," Zumpano notes, "so to gain weight slowly, eat an extra 300 to 500 calories per day." She also recommends eating small meals every three to five hours and snacks throughout the day to help you consume more without feeling overly full.
But what exactly should you be snacking on? Let’s take a look at some of the foods that can help you gain weight. Nuts are high in protein and healthy vitamins and minerals, among other health benefits. The monounsaturated fat in nuts is the "good" kind that can help you manage your cholesterol, and a 1-ounce serving alone has about 160 to 200 calories. This makes nuts - including almonds, pistachios and walnuts - a good (and tasty) choice when you’re trying to gain weight, whether you snack on nuts alone, add them to a salad or combine them with dried fruit into a trail mix. "To make sure you’re not increasing your intake of extra sugar and sodium, stick to plain, unsalted nuts, or make your own spice blend for them," Zumpano suggests. For a tasty on-the-go snack, make elemental granola ahead of time and keep it on hand in baggies. It includes macadamia nuts, pistachios and almonds, along with dried fruits and natural sweeteners.
Make your own parfait with maple syrup-drizzled yogurt, nuts and fruit, an easy-to-make dish that will add 360 calories to your diet. Don’t forget about nut butters! They have many of the same health benefits as nuts themselves, but they’re a super-versatile ingredient in a variety of dishes and snacks. "Just be on the lookout for added sugars and oils," Zumpano warns. One of the quickest, easiest snacks in the book is to add spread 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter (or other nut butter) atop a sliced apple or banana. Yum! And an English muffin with a tablespoon of your choice of natural nut butter will typically add around 250 calories to your diet. Make energy balls, like peanuts butter balls or toasted quinoa and almond date balls, for a quick hit of protein and a little something sweet. Blend nut butter into an "ultra shake," loaded with protein and fruit. Love cookies but don’t love (or have time for) baking?
No-bake chocolate peanut butter cookies are 117 calories apiece and incorporate both peanut butter and ground almonds. It has about twice as much protein as traditional yogurt, and far more calories. It’s also a great source of calcium (for strong bones) and probiotics (for a healthy gut). "Greek yogurt makes for a great base, Prime Boosts Supplement especially when you’re trying to gain weight," Zumpano says. Start your day or grab a snack with a sweet banana smoothie. Half a cup of Greek yogurt with 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of chopped nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or chia or flax seeds will run you about 300 calories. Looking for a delicious dip? Greek yogurt is the perfect base for creamy faves like spinach and artichoke dip. One egg gives you 78 calories and 6 grams of protein. They’re also relatively inexpensive and accessible. "Eggs can be a great source of high-quality protein and a variety of nutrients," Zumpano says. Egg whites are safe to eat as often as you’d like, but when eaten in excess, eggs yolks can raise your LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels.
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