High-calorie treats for increasing weight: Explore 10 tantalizing choices
Gaining weight can be a challenge for some, but it's important to maintain a balanced and nutritious approach. Here are some high-calorie snacks that can help you reach your weight gain goals, while also supporting muscle growth and healthy weight gain.
First on our list is Greek yogurt with nuts and honey. This snack provides a good balance of protein, healthy fats, and added calories from honey and nuts. Peanut butter and banana on whole wheat toast is another option, offering protein, healthy fats, complex carbs, and natural sugars for energy.
Hard-boiled eggs, rich in protein and healthy fats, are another great choice. Nuts and dry fruits, high in calories, healthy fats, omega-3 fatty acids, and nutrients, are also worth considering.
Full cream milk and dairy products like cheese and paneer are excellent sources of protein, fats, and calories. Potatoes and sweet potatoes, high in carbohydrates and calories, can aid energy and weight gain as well. Calorie-dense fruits such as bananas, avocados, and mangoes contribute carbohydrates, fats (avocado), and micronutrients.
Including these snacks between meals can help maintain a steady calorie surplus essential for gaining weight healthily and supporting muscle recovery if exercising. Adjusting portions, especially for calorie-dense items like peanut butter, is crucial to meet calorie goals without excessive fat gain.
Gaining weight can have significant health implications if left unchecked, such as infertility, loss of bone density, hormonal risks, depression, physical weakness, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Therefore, it's important to prioritize nutrient-dense, high-calorie foods, add one new snack per day, use full-fat versions of foods, add more calories to meals, and drink calorie-rich beverages.
High calorie snacks that you can try include dried fruit, nuts, whole milk dairy products, and other calorie- and nutrient-dense foods. Protein powders can add protein and calories to your diet, but their nutritional contents vary.
It's worth noting that eggs are a versatile and affordable source of protein. One large egg contains 71.9 kcal, 6.2 g of protein, 4.4 g of fat, and 0.5 g of carbohydrate. Cream cheese offers 350 kcal and 6 g of protein in a 100 g serving. A 100 g serving of cheddar cheese contains 393 kcal, 25 g of protein, 32.1 g of fat, and 3.6 g of carbohydrate.
One scoop (32 g) of whey protein powder contains 113 kcal, 25 g of protein, 0.5 g of fat, and 2 g of carbohydrate.
If you find it difficult to maintain your weight despite eating more calories, it's recommended to consult a doctor to rule out any underlying medical causes.
- Greek yogurt with nuts and honey offers a balance of protein, healthy fats, and added calories, making it a suitable high-calorie snack for weight gain.
- Peanut butter and banana on whole wheat toast provides protein, healthy fats, complex carbs, and natural sugars, contributing to energy and weight gain.
- Hard-boiled eggs, rich in protein and healthy fats, can aid in healthy weight gain and muscle recovery during fitness-and-exercise.
- Nuts and dry fruits, high in calories, healthy fats, nutrients, and omega-3 fatty acids, are valuable additions to a weight-management and health-and-wellness diet.
- Full cream milk, cheese, and paneer are excellent sources of protein, fats, and calories for individuals looking to gain weight in a healthy way.
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes, high in carbohydrates and calories, can help individuals meet their energy needs and achieve healthy weight gain.
- Calorie-dense fruits such as bananas, avocados, and mangoes offer valuable carbohydrates, fats, and micronutrients to support a balanced and nutritious weight-gain approach.
