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A desire to gain weight doesn't give you carte blanche to eat all the pizza and ice cream that you would like. While immediate results might be seen, this weight will usually drop off quickly if you don't maintain that diet, and this food is unhealthy for your body overall. In order to gain weight safely, it is necessary to incorporate more of the healthy food you are eating into your diet.

By adding more whole grains, vegetables, fruits and lean proteins into your diet, you are adding more calories which will lead to weight gain. It isn't necessary to gulp down protein shakes and protein bars, but if you are having trouble eating extra snacks and meals, that is an option.

First of all, never skip meals. When you skip meals, your body starts conserving energy, clinging to fats and calories, disrupting your metabolism. When your metabolism slows, you body stops craving food. You'll notice the more healthy meals you eat, the more your body hungers.

By simply adding two of three extra snacks into the day, you will notice a slow, but healthy weight gain. Nuts are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals and are loaded with muscle building proteins. Additional calorie packed snacks are low fat yogurt milk shakes instead of your diet soda, string cheese or apples with peanut butter which are healthy and high in protein.

At meals you can add extra calories healthily by using olive oil to add additional fat to your diet. Add nuts or sunflower seeds to add extra nutrients to your salad, and start to include higher calorie and (good) fattening foods like avocados.

Making sure that your body is getting enough protein is important if you are adding mass. Choose lean red meats in moderation, chicken breast, turkey, pork and fish. Fish are not only extremely good for you, but more fattening fish like salmon, also contain high levels of Omega 3 fatty acid which have overall health benefits.

To gain muscle mass and increase overall body weight, you can try adding strength training into your daily regimen. Design a program that targets major muscle groups. Your increased physical activity will probably make you hungrier also. By stocking up on extra complex carbohydrates and protein you will add a bit of bulk to your frame.

Make sure to get enough sleep at night. While sleeping, our bodies regenerate cells, our bones grow, hormones are produced, and energy is restored to build muscles. When we skimp on sleep, our bodies pay the price.

If you can't seem to gain weight whatever you do consult a doctor. You may have a health problem. If you are naturally thin, realize that bodies come in all shapes and sizes. As long as you are healthy, eating properly and exercising on a normal basis, your being thin may just be genetic.

Sources:
http://www.may oclinic.com/health/underweight /AN00597

Learn more about this author, Molly Carter.
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