practice good dietary habits for weight gain as below:
• Increase overall calorie intake during the day.
• Make sure to eat from all food groups to obtain all nutrients needed: Bread and Cereals, Vegetables and Fruits, Milk and Dairy products, Legumes, Eggs, Nuts, poultry, fish and meat, fats and oils and some sugars.
• As a woman, make sure you are having 2-3 glasses of milk daily (or equivalent in dairy products).
• Always include Iron-rich foods such as meat, poultry and all types of legumes and green leafy vegetables.
• Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day.
• Include lots of vegetables and fruits in your diet to help you get the fibers you need for a healthy bowel function.
• A daily intake of 3 meals and 3 snacks, with an interval of no longer than 4 hours between eating occasions during the day.
• Make sure you are taking your 3 main meals of the day: A healthy and balanced breakfast, a good Lunch and Dinner.
• Add 2-3 small meals (snacks) per day: one mid-morning, one mid-afternoon, bedtime snack (since
growth hormone levels are highest during early sleep) to help you increase your calorie and nutrient intake.
• Even when you're
underweight, be mindful of excess sugar and fat. Have healthy snacks that also provide nutrients and extra energy such as: Dried fruits (such as apricot and dates), milk or yoghurt with cereals, puddings, mixed fruit cocktails with added ingredients ( such as milk, avocado, dates, honey, cream, cereals), sandwiches (with cheese, jam or peanut butter), all sorts of nuts (gives you extra energy and added minerals), milks, juices etc…
• Make sure your main meals have always good sources of carbohydrates for extra energy: such as rice, potatoes, grains, bread, and pasta.
• Add extras to your dishes for more calories — such as cheese in casseroles, avocado/olives to your salads, and healthy oils such as olive oil and canola oil.
• Make sure your diet is varied to provide you with all needed nutrients.
• Exercise, especially strength training, can help you gain weight by building up your muscles. Exercise may also stimulate your appetite.