subject: How to Put on Weight Healthily - 3 Hot Tips [print this page] Finding out how to put on weight healthily can be a tricky business, given that a much higher percentage of people are trying to lose weight and a general lack of information on weight gain online. If you are trying to gain weight but don't know how to go about it, the following tips will help you understand some of the main criteria involved in gaining weight and keeping healthy.
Weight gain and portion sizes
It may be tempting to increase body weight by eating larger quantities of food at each meal, however, this is, in fact, a big mistake. After eating a large meal, it may be some time before you feel hungry again as the appetite has been satisfied and the hormones that signal to the brain to eat will be out of action for a while. Even though you might have eaten more in a given meal, you will find that your daily intake will still be less than if you had eaten smaller more regular meals. The best way to increase weight healthily, is by including several low-fat snacks throughout the day, over and above you normal meals.
Weight gain snacks
This can be the deal breaker as it is important not to eat snacks which will actually curb your appetite rather than increase it. Snacks such as chips, chocolate and high energy drinks, although high in calories, may reduce your appetite for mealtimes, therefore reducing total daily food intake. If this does occur and if any weight is gained, it will be more likely in the form of pure fat. The best snacking foods are generally low in fat such as bananas, cereal bars, yoghurt, nuts (in moderation), fruit juice and only occasionally, higher fat snacks.
Weight gain exercise
Increasing food intake alone might help you gain weight, but may also reduce the chances of maintaining existing muscle mass and gaining more muscle. Together with your extra calories, it is best to increase exercise by around 30 minutes per day, taking care to keep areas such as the waist and tummy trim, as research has found that these areas are more vulnerable to excess weight gain. Physical activity will also increase appetite, allowing you to eat more and stimulate muscle synthesis.
Finding out how to put on weight healthily need not be difficult and if conducted sensibly at a moderate rate, you will find that the additional weight is easily maintained. Changing you lifestyle to incorporate more exercise and healthy foods will help you to gain weight in the form of lean tissue rather than fat.