Weight Gain Home Remedy
Home remedy for healthy weight gain include exercise, a healthy diet with more carbohydrates and fat content, and eating more frequently. Also, the consumption of nuts, raisins, and dried fruits helps in healthy weight gain.
Some people are very thin and no matter what they eat, they stay just as thin! Most people who gain weight easily envy that kind of people, but sometimes, thin people genuinely want to gain weight and find it very challenging. Most people want to gain weight due to health issues or other issues such as smoking, loss of appetite, sports, and bodybuilding.
Underweight people have been known to function more or less in a similar manner in comparison to people that have achieved their ideal weight. Unlike people who are overweight, thin people are known to lead longer lives. Overweight people also suffer from heart diseases, diabetes, and depression, which are conditions that are not generally associated with thin people.
Is Being Thin Healthy Or Unhealthy?
A study [1] conducted by the Imperial College of London and the University of Lausanne in Switzerland has shown that some people who are thin actually have it in their genes. They do not add any excess weight to their body even when they eat a lot of junk foodbecause they have a highly active metabolic system. However, that may not be a reason to celebrate.
Thin people are also susceptible to cholesterol issues, just like overweight people. They eat more junk food to gain weight that actually adds unnecessary fat, which may not be very useful or beneficial to the body. Being thin also poses the risk of malnutrition. Most junk food lacks nutrition such as essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, and healthy carbohydrates. So, in the long run, eating junk food can definitely lead to malnutrition.
Being Thin Isn’t That Great!
Thinner people may face health issues in the long run. Osteoporosis, which is associated with older people, significantly affect thin people more than those with an ideal weight. As we know, osteoporosis decreases bone density, while the fat in the body helps in producing the required amount of estrogens to help in maintaining bone density. In thin people, this is a particularly worrisome issue. On a general scale, fat deposits in old people act as cushioning agents and protect them against fractures in case of a fall or stumble. Women also require fat deposits in their body for better reproduction. Lack of fat in women can seriously hamper their ability to menstruate and reproduce.
Weight Gain Home Remedy
The following are tips or home remedy for healthy weight gain:
Increased Mango Intake
Mangoes are also very good at helping you gain weight. The number of carbohydrates found in mangoes is very high. This fruit can be eaten at breakfast or can be added to lunch or dinner, depending on availability. This fruit should be eaten along with regular food.
Having Frequent Meals
Eating often, such as six times a day, can help you gain weight. However, each meal should be a small meal. A study conducted by Huffman [3] on older people showed that eating a full meal without having the appetite for it can cause a dislike towards food. Instead, eating small meals at regular intervals improves appetite and thereby increases weight gain.
Eating Healthy Diet
While trying to gain weight, the focus should be more on eating healthy foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Healthy food includes meat, poultry, unsaturated plant fats, low-fat milk, healthy starch content, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Cashews, almonds, dates, walnuts, dry grapes, apricots, peaches are some of the dried fruits and nuts that can be added to breakfast, salads, cereal, and desserts. Sesame seeds, ground nuts, and peanuts also contain fats in them and can help in adding that extra pounds you desire. Sometimes loss of appetite may also cause weight loss. Research [2]suggests that umami flavor increases satiety and enhances appetite.
Consumption of Banana
Bananas are one of the fruits that are ideal for gaining weight. It is full of carbohydrates and contains high levels of potassium, which also helps in maintaining the fluid balance in the body. Generally, athletes eat bananas before their games to gain instant boosts of energy. Eating bananas after meals can help you to gain weight. However, avoid bananas when you have a cold.
Following Fat-rich Diet
Intake of animal fat content should not exceed recommended levels because of the increased risk of cholesterol in the blood. Instead, one can opt for unsaturated plant fats that are healthy and very helpful for weight gain.
Increased Food Intake
Increasing the amount of food you eat is the most basic way for you to gain weight. It can either be an increase in the number of meals you eat each day or the quantity of food eaten in each meal. Gaining weight can be just as hard as losing it. It is a time-consuming process that requires devotion. Remember – Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Consumption of Raisins
Eating raisins every day can increase your weight substantially. They are densely packed with nutrients, which mean that even small servings of raisins provide a high amount of calories. A quarter cup of raisins contains as much as 100 calories.
Enjoying Each Meal Thoroughly
Mealtime should be a pleasant time rather than a hurried affair. You should thoroughly enjoy every meal. Listening to soothing music while dining can be very helpful. Furthermore, research [4] conducted by Professors Brian Wansink and Koert van Ittersum at Cornell University suggest that by eating in larger cups and bowls, one may increase the consumption of food compared to when eating in smaller cups and bowls.
High-fat Diet for Athletes
People who work out heavily need a high-calorie and protein diet to keep up with their high energy consumption and to maintain their proper weight. They should include high-protein foods like meat, fish, and eggs in their diet. These are not only plentiful in proteins, but they also contain high levels of fat. Along with this, the intake of dairy is also recommended.
Yoga and Exercise
Exercise should be performed on a regular basis, even by those who want to gain weight. It increases the appetite and improves overall health. Yoga asanas like surya namaskar (sun salutation), bhujang asana (snake posture), dhanurasana (bow posture) and chakrasana (wheel posture) can be practiced to gain weight. However, expert supervision is advised.
Weight Gain Post Illness
Some people lose weight during illness because of lack of appetite and other conditions. Therefore, their focus may be on gaining the weight back. During this time, one can add fruits, milk, yogurt, smoothies, and eggs to their diet to increase their weight.
Eating Ripe Jackfruit
Ripe jackfruit is another tropical fruit that makes weight gain not only possible but easy! Arils of jackfruit contain sweet flesh that can be added to your breakfast, lunch, or dinner to help you gain weight.
These are only some of the home remedies for gaining weight in a healthy way.
DON’TS For Weight Gain
Quit Smoking: Smoking and the weight of a person have an inverse relationship with each other. Smokers will experience weight loss during the time they smoke and weight gain when they quit smoking. This is because tobacco is known to suppress a person’s appetite. Those who stop smoking can improve [5] their appetite and thereby gain weight.
Avoid Fluids Before Lunch: Drinking any fluids like water, soda, tea, or coffee before meals make you feel full and lessen your appetite. Avoid drinking fluids for at least half an hour to forty-five minutes before your meals.
Deep Fried Foods: Avoid deep-fried foods because they not only add fat but also increase the bad cholesterol levels in one’s blood. This can increase the risk of contracting heart disease in the future.