People who need to gain weight can often do this by increasing their intake of foods rich in whole carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein. Examples include whole grains, dried fruit, potatoes, avocados, oily fish, eggs, and dairy products. A doctor may recommend that people with a low body weight try to gain weight.
Zero Calorie Snacks: A Mythbuster
While celery, apples, strawberries, and lemons are often cited as examples of zero-calorie foods, the truth is that nothing except water is truly zero calories. The label “zero calories” is often used as a marketing ploy, just like “superfoods.”
Examples of calorie-rich foods include: Proteins: Red meats, pork, chicken with skin on (roast or broil don't deep fry for your health), salmon or other oily fish, beans, whole milk, eggs, cheese, full-fat yogurt. Carbohydrates: potatoes, brown rice, whole grain pasta, whole grains, whole grain breads.
Yogurt has typically been regarded as the king of health food. But, only plain yogurt with no added sugar maintains health food status. Flavored yogurts — even those with fruit flavor — are typically laden with added sugar and even artificial sweeteners, all which contribute to weight gain.
While there isn't one magic food that will melt away belly fat, studies have reported certain foods have special belly-fat-burning benefits, such as avocado, artichokes, whole grains, kefir, green tea, eggs, peanuts and chickpeas.
For a portable, healthy snack, whip up a batch of trail mix with high-fiber cereal, nuts, and dried fruit. Dried fruit is packed with fiber, but be sure to look for fruit with no added sugar. Fresh fruit is always a healthy snack.
Your body may not be used to the extra calorie expenditure, as well as sweating more often, and it may retain fluids for a temporary period of time until it adjusts to your new regimen. It's important to ease your way into a fitness routine, so your body can gradually adjust to all the changes going on.
"Eating salads on a daily basis as part of an overall healthy lifestyle may support gradual weight loss over time," says Karnatz. "This is because leafy greens are low in calories and high in volume and fiber, which will keep you satisfied for longer," she adds.
Pasta has long been considered a high-carbohydrate food that may contribute to weight gain. However, scientific evidence suggests that pasta can be part of a healthy and balanced diet and may even support weight loss when consumed in moderation as part of a calorie-controlled diet.
According to Buchanan, protein “is the most immediately satiating macronutrient.” That's why nuts, hummus, and yogurt are all such excellent late-night snacks. Since melatonin is a sleep-enhancing hormone, foods rich in it such as pistachios, bananas, and grapes also serve as excellent bedtime treats.
Consumption of energy-rich foods: Make sure to eat, energy-dense foods like nuts including almonds, walnuts, peanuts, dried fruits including raisins or prunes, dark chocolate, high-fat dairy foods like condensed milk, full-fat cream, cheese, milk, veggies like potatoes and yams, etc.
Foods claimed to be negative in calories are mostly low-calorie fruits and vegetables such as celery, grapefruit, orange, lemon, lime, apple, lettuce, broccoli, and cabbage. However, celery has a thermic effect of around 8%, much less than the 100% or more required for a food to have "negative calories".
Consuming approximately 2,100 calories per day can help you to lose one pound per week. An active man who walks more than three miles per day may need between 2,800 and 3,000 calories per day to maintain weight. Consuming between approximately 2,300 to 2,500 calories per day can help you to lose one pound per week.