Protein Diets For Weight Gain
If you are like many of us, you probably look at slim people and are jealous because you can’t be that slim. But some people are actually too thin, and that can lead to as many health complications as being overweight, including body weakness and tiring easily. Protein Diets For Weight Gain
Being underweight can be something that is just natural to a person or it can be caused by an underlying medical condition. Many people who have undergone chemotherapy and other medical treatments report losing significant amounts of weight, and they need to go on special diets in order to bring their weight back up. A typical high-calorie, high-protein diet for people looking to gain weight offers between 2,500 and 3,000 calories daily.
Just like weight loss, gaining weight does not happen overnight (although it seems that way for people who are trying to lose weight.) Just like when you diet to lose weight, when trying to gain weight, you need to eat several small meals throughout the day, preferably ones that are high in protein, which is not only essential for building strong muscles but also provides us with energy. Actually, these meals should be larger than they would be if you were trying to lose weight. So basically, you need to eat a lot of food but you also need to eat the right foods.
There are many ways that you can get protein in your diet. If you are on a high-protein diet for weight gain, you can eat plenty of protein-rich foods as well as adding protein supplements to your diet. In this article, you will learn how to choose the foods that will provide you with loads of essential protein.
Forget the Fatty Foods
Just because you need high-calorie foods that are also high in protein, this doesn’t mean that you should go out and start eating all of the fattening foods you want.
Yes, they will help you to gain weight, but they will not provide you with the other nutrients that your body needs in order to remain healthy and strong. Eat like you are trying to lose weight, and avoid burgers, french fries, ice cream and other fatty treats.
Foods You Should Be Eating for Weight Gain
There are loads of great-tasting foods that can help you to gain weight without adding additional fat. And you can create a lot of protein-packed food combinations that will deliver twice the protein punch!
Breads – Eating bread is a great way to help put weight on, but in order to make sure that you are getting plenty of protein, eat breads that are whole wheat or whole grain. They taste great and are a lot better for you. And you are not just limited to plain old sliced bread. You can get all kinds of rolls, baguettes and other breads in whole grain, as well as soda crackers. If you are trying to get your kids to eat whole grain bread with little or no success, try one of the new whole grain breads that look and taste just like white bread.
Vegetables – Contrary to popular belief, there are all kinds of vegetables that you can eat that are very protein-rich. Soy beans are loaded with protein, and because they contain all 22 essential and non-essential amino acids, they are what is known as a complete protein. Potatoes are also rich in protein, as are tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower. Protein Diets For Weight Gain
Nuts – Loaded with protein, nuts are also fattening and a great snack to eat when you are trying to gain weight. You are not limited to choices when it comes to nuts, because most, including almonds, peanuts and cashews, are protein-packed. If you are looking for a healthy option, buy unsalted nuts. They actually taste better, because you are truly tasting the nuts and not the salt. And don’t forget the peanut butter in your next grocery order.
Meat, Fish and Poultry – All three of these foods are terrific sources of protein. A six-ounce serving will give you 38 grams of protein, or more than half of the recommended amount for a high-protein diet. Just make sure that you purchase lean cuts of meat, because even though you want to gain weight, you don’t need the fat.
You can get 34 grams of protein from just one six-ounce serving of salmon, and it also has important omega-3 fatty acids. With many fish meals, you get loads of protein without all of the fat. Or the next time that you pick up a can of tuna for your cat, get some for yourself too. One can of tuna has more than 40 grams of protein.
White meat poultry is a delicious way to get your protein and is very versatile. Just think about all of the things that you can make with chicken or turkey, including delicious sandwiches (using whole grain bread will add even more protein), or enjoy a turkey dinner with your family this weekend.
Beans – Just about every type of bean are loaded with protein and are pretty tasty too. Soya beans are great protein sources for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. String beans can add protein to any meal as a side dish, and everyone loves a great big bowl of homemade baked beans. Add some wieners and you have even more protein in just one small meal.
Dairy Food – Here is an excellent source of protein. Many protein supplements are dairy based (such as whey and casein), and you can enjoy a number or dairy products to get the protein that you need for weight gain. Enjoy a big glass of milk (skimmed if you want to avoid the added fat), a chunk of cheddar cheese or a serving of yogurt for loads of protein and much more.
Eggs – If you are looking for a source of protein that is incredibly versatile, eggs are the food for you. There are so many ways they can be eaten, from poached to boiled to scrambled (avoid fried eggs if you want to avoid fat). Eggs are also used in hundreds, maybe even thousands of different recipes, so you will never be limited for delicious food choices. Protein Diets For Weight Gain