Need to gain weight
Posted by africalynn on Jul 18, 2006 · Member since Jul 2006 · 2 posts
Hey Everyone,
Maybe this question has already been posted, I looked and didn't see it but sometimes I overlook things.
Anyway, here it is, since becoming a veggie I have lost weight. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem but I am losing too much weight. Does anybody have any suggestions for me on how I can up the calorie in my meals, or recipes that you can direct me to that are higher calories. Thanks for your help!
Hi--
My husband has always been a very skinny person, and has lost an additional ten pounds after we went vegan. We have found that the only way he can keep his weight up is to increase the amount of calories and calorie dense foods he eats. The best way to do this is to eat calorie dense foods that are also nutritionally dense. Good choices are nuts, nuts, and more nuts. Add them to salads and smoothies (we have smoothies every morning with at least 5 servings of fruit, which in and of itself can be many calories that go down quickly). Eat lots of nut butters. When avocados are inexpensive, my husband can eat two a day. Dried fruit is a great and easy way to get lots of extra calories (I bought a bag of dried plums the other day, just a quarter of a cup has 100 calories). Also, snack on these foods throughout the day, not just at meals.
Believe it or not, working out and staying physically active can also help a person not loose too much weight. Expending energy increases your appetite allowing you to comfortably eat more. Adding muscle mass can increase your weight.
My husband enjoys date nut popems (I do too, but I tend to put on weight easily--so I can only eat one at a time). Just three of these balls have 100 calories and are also nutritionally dense:
http://www.fatfreevegan.com/snacks/date.shtml You can vary what kind of nut(s) you use and also add other kinds of dried fruit and extras like coconut (calorie rich) or cocoa powder.
Also, keep in mind that you may just be a naturally light person. My husband, like I said, is a very skinny person (he is only 110 pounds at 5'5"), but he is healthy in every other respect. He is active and energetic, happy, has a voracious appetite, and (almost)never gets sick.
Elizabeth
Thanks Elizabeth!
All of your information that you provided me with is wonderful! Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question. I found the web site that you directed me to very useful as well. It compliments this web site nicely.
Hi, I'm an endurance runner so I need to eat more calories than most people. Try making your own trail mix (including nuts and dried fruits), or you can but premade mixes if you don't have time. Nut butters are also a healthy way to increase daily calories. You can also drink natural fruit juices w/meals.
I have a sweettooth and one of my favourite snacks/desserts is caramel corn (anything sweet usually indicates a high calorie food, but I don't recommend sweets for excessive consumption). Pop 1/2 Cup kernels. Heat 1/2 Cup barley malt and 1/2 Cup brown rice syrup in a small pot over the stove and boil for about 1-2 minutes. Pour over popped popcorn and mix well. Bake in a nonstick pan in a preheated 375 oven till coating darkens (about 10-15 minutes or so). Recipe by A. Kushi.