Consult a Doctor

How to gain weight naturally: Foods that make you plump.

Last updated: ,
10 mins,
Content Writer
foods to gain weight

Topics like ‘obesity’ and ‘ways to lose weight’ have gained so much popularity that many people seem to forget that being underweight also has health risks attached to it.

Are you seeking to know how to gain weight naturally? This article highlights ways to gain weight naturally as well as foods that can make you plump.

There are many weight loss programs nowadays, but why is there not much attention to weight gain? Is the idea of keeping fit only about losing weight?

Research suggests that there is a higher number of overweight people than underweight people. 

According to recent study, an assessment of Nigerian adults living in urban and rural settlements of Benue state showed that overweight and obesity are more prevalent than underweight in young adults.

However, this doesn’t erase the fact that underweight exists and can cause health problems. If underweight is your problem, you might want to know what you need to do to gain weight naturally. This article is for you as we would discuss why people might want to gain weight, what is a reasonable weight gain, healthy steps to weight gain and foods that can make you plump etc.

How do you know you are underweight?

Groundnuts 2022 07 06T184516.069
Source: Canva

Most times, people get worried about their weight, and that is normal because, to a large extent, weight contributes to physical fitness. The question is, “do you know your weight?” If you do, are you underweight, overweight or in the normal range? 

While there are various underweight symptoms, there is a standard way to know if you are underweight or not. The standard metric for measuring weight, called Body Mass Index (BMI), will show which weight category you belong to.

Body mass index (BMI) measures body size by measuring an individual’s weight with respect to height. You calculate your BMI by dividing your body weight (in kilograms) by the square of your height (in metres).

I.e BMI = Kg/m (squared)

After calculating, you compare your number to standardized BMI scores. 

  • If it is 18.5 or less, you are underweight.
  • If it falls from 18.5 to 24.9, you have a normal weight.
  • If it falls within 25.0 to 29.9, you are overweight.
  • If it is 30 or higher, you are obese.

From this classification system, people whose BMI fall at 18.5 or below are classified as underweight. However, this is not a diagnostic measure; doctors sometimes evaluate weight to determine if an individual needs to gain additional weight in order to improve health. 

You can use our FREE BMI calculator to know if your weight is healthy for you.

Aside from BMI, signs and symptoms of being underweight include:

  • A thin body
  • The bones and joints appear to be more prominent
  • Dizziness and fatigue
  • Fragile bones
  • Weak immune system
  • Poor growth and development, particularly in children

Daily calorie needs

s3
Source: Canva

In order to gain weight naturally and in a healthy manner, it is important to gain the most calories from nutritious whole foods. Remember that weight gain occurs when calories consumed exceed the calories burned daily.

But the question here is, “What is the daily calorie need for the average adult?”

The average adult’s daily calorie needs range from 1600-2400 calories per day for women and 2000-3000 calories per day for men.

Factors that determine daily calorie needs

Calorie needs differ from person to person, as certain factors determine an individual’s calorie needs. Some of the factors that determine the amount of calories you should consume include:

Gender

  • Women burn 5-10 percent fewer calories than men of the same height

Age

  • Calorie requirements decline with age

Height

  • Taller individuals require more calories to maintain height

Level of activity

  • Exercise and increased physical activity increase calorie needs

What is a reasonable weight gain?

Even though it is advisable for underweight people to gain some weight, it doesn’t mean you should go around eating everything you see and gulping down every drink. Gaining excessive weight within a short time can throw you to the other side of the scale- the overweight side. 

In your quest to seek answers to how to gain weight naturally, do not go overboard. Aim at gaining 0.2-0.9 kg per week as that is an acceptable rate of weight gain. 

If you are aiming for about 0.5 kg per week, that means you are to add about 500 calories to your weight maintenance calories needs daily. Your daily weight maintenance need is a sum of the calories you need for your daily activities, your basal metabolic rate, as well as the calories needed to support exercise. It would help to have a doctor or nutritionist help you calculate and figure this out. 

Why should you gain weight?

Are you wondering why it is vital for some people to gain weight? The fact is that while overweight has become a significant public health concern, underweight can also pose a threat to an individual’s health. Thus, weight gain might be a necessity for someone who is underweight. 

Asides from being underweight, there are other reasons why people seek natural ways to gain extra weight. Some situations where people seek to gain or regain weight include:

  • In cases where gaining weight would lead to overall better health or improved functionality
  • People classified with an underweight BMI or below the healthy weight (note that the normal BMI is 18.5-24.9 kg/m2).
  • People who lost weight following a severe illness or lengthy hospitalization
  • Individuals with physically demanding jobs/routines
  • Athletes who want to build strength and muscle in order to perform better
  • Actors who want to build a bigger body size for a particular movie role
  • People who want to gain regain weight following an idiopathic or unintentional weight loss
  • People suffering from certain health conditions that increase calorie needs, e.g. cancers, infections or those recovering from a major surgery

Practical Steps to Gain Weight Naturally

There are different weight gain strategies, but here we will be specifically addressing how to gain weight naturally while also pointing out nutrient-rich foods that can make you plump and healthy.

Below is a guide on how to gain weight naturally.

Determine your body type

Our body differs from individual to individual. While significant weight increase comes easily for some people, weight gain might not be reasonable, sustainable, or even healthy for some others.

Also, factors like genetics play a major role in an individual’s physical build and musculature. In order words, body physique can be inherited. When you understand your body type, it would help you plan your weight gain strategies.

Eat the right diet

In order to gain weight naturally and in a healthy manner, you have to eat the proper meals. You shouldn’t consume every type of food as some are quite harmful to your health.

Opt for nutrient-rich foods that also support weight-gain, such as fruit and vegetable smoothies, milk, rice, seeds and nuts, potatoes and starches, salmon and oily fishes, whole grain bread, healthy cereals (e.g. oats, bran, granola, multigrain), dark chocolate, cheese, whole eggs and full-fat yoghurt. 

Avoid eating calorie-empty foods like junks in the form of refined sugar. Some fats are unhealthy and harmful to you. Unhealthy fatty foods (foods containing saturated and trans fats) should be avoided.

Eat more frequently

For people trying to lose weight, it is suggested that they go on intermittent fasting while watching their food portion sizes. However, with people who want to gain weight naturally, the reverse is the case. It would help if you ate more frequently.

Eat 5-6 smaller meals during the day rather than 2-3 large meals. Also, eat healthy treats/snacks in between meals. 

Don’t forget to exercise

s3
Source: Canva

Are you surprised to see exercise listed as one of the ways to gain weight naturally? Exercise is so important that you need it both when you want to lose weight and when you want to gain weight.

The fact is that exercise is for everyone, only that some workout styles and routines target a specific purpose. For instance, exercise can help you lose weight and body fat; in a similar vein, it can help build muscle mass, leading to weight gain.

Another way exercise might help with natural weight gain is by stimulating appetite and inducing hunger. When you are hungry and have the desire to eat, you tend to eat more food portions or at more frequent intervals, favoring your weight gain journey.

Healthy foods to gain weight naturally

Groundnuts 2022 06 11T120133.095
Source: Canva

The calories in our diets come from three macronutrients:

  • Carbohydrate
  • Protein
  • Fat

While carbohydrates and proteins provide four calories per gram of the food we eat, fats provide nine calories per gram. 

The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies has also set the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDRs) as a calorie-intake guide for people.

According to Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges, the recommended calorie distribution is as follows:

  • carbohydrates – 45-65%
  • Protein – 10-35%
  • Fat – 20-35%

This means that people are to get 45-65 percent of their calories from carbohydrates, 10-35 percent of their calories from protein, and 20-35 percent of their calories from fat.

3000 Calorie Diet Macronutrient Distribution 

For someone who wants to gain weight naturally, meeting your nutritional needs can be a challenge. However, meal planning can help ensure that you meet your personal daily values. 

You might also need to follow a 3000-calorie diet. Below are values to work with, showing the number of calories per gram you need from each macronutrient. 

  • Carbohydrates 338-488 grams
  • Protein 75-263 grams
  • Fat 67-117 grams

Nutrient-rich foods

Nutrient-rich foods contain many nutrients but relatively few calories and, as such, require a larger volume of food to consume up to 3000 calories per day.

Calorie dense foods

It is relatively easier to consume 3000 calories from highly processed refined foods as they are highly palatable and calorie-dense. However, these ‘junk’ foods lack important nutrients for health.

If most of an individual’s diet consists of whole, nutrient-dense foods, a few sweets and treats may be enjoyed occasionally. 

Natural food sources for healthy weight gain

Proper diet is one of the ways to gain weight naturally. Below are some natural food sources that can make you plump when consumed.

Animal-based protein for natural weight gain

  • Chicken and turkey
  • Scaly fish
  • Whole eggs
  • Lean cuts of beef
  • Limit red meat
  • Avoid bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats

Plant-based protein for natural weight gain

  • Beans
  • Tofu
  • Chickpeas, peas
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Spinach
  • Kale
  • Avocado
  • Almonds
  • Peanuts

Grain foods for weight gain

  • Oats
  • Rice
  • Corn
  • Wheat
  • Millet
  • Pasta
  • Bread
  • Quinoa 

Dairy products for weight gain

  • Milk
  • Cottage cheese
  • Greek yoghurt

Fats and oils food sources for weight gain

  • Olive oil
  • Flaxseed oil
  • Walnuts
  • Nut-based butter-like natural peanut or almond butter

Fruits for weight gain

  • Bananas
  • Apples
  • Pears
  • Oranges
  • Grapes
  • Coconuts
  • Berries

Vegetables for weight gain

  • Tomatoes
  • Spinach
  • Cauliflower
  • Kale
  • Broccoli
  • Pepper
  • Cucumbers
  • Beetroot

Conclusion

Healthy weight gain depends on several factors such as gender, body type and activity level. However, the good news is that by eating healthy, nutritious meals and adopting certain meal practices, you can attain weight gain naturally. 

Whole, unprocessed or minimally processed food should make up the bulk of your diet. You should limit the consumption of highly processed, refined foods.

References

  • Van De Walle, G. A 3000-calorie diet: Benefits, weight gain and meal plan. 2019. Healthline. Available at https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/3000-calorie-mealplan. Accessed 20th January 2020
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition. December 2015.
  • Harvard University. The Healthy Eating Plate. 2011. The Nutrition Source, Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. www.thenutritionsource.org, and Harvard Health Publications, www.health.harvard.edu.

Share this article on social media:

LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter

2 comments

July 26, 2023 - 12:25 pm

[…] energy drinks typically contain large amounts of sugar, which can lead to weight gain, tooth decay, and other health […]

August 28, 2023 - 2:11 pm

[…] How to Gain Weight Naturally […]

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Avatar of Joy Emeh

Joy Chioma Emeh graduated with a B.Sc in Anatomy. She is a health enthusiast and prolific writer with years of experience in the writing industry. She is also the senior content editor at clacified.com

Sidebar Newsletter form

time is money flier
Untitled 1 1

Subscribe to our Blog

We publish helpful posts every week!