this post was submitted on 23 Mar 2025
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To preface, I kind of know the answer to this. I've put on weight before but I was hoping to get advice on how to go about better/more efficiently. I guess my question is really: what are healthy high calorie foods I can use to put on weight?

I've been underweight pretty much my entire life. I don't think I have a chronic eating disorder, but there are times where I just don't want to eat. I believe, however, that's actually not my largest issue.

I'm potentially too health conscious. I'm vegetarian by accident (So I dated this girl right...) mostly, and as a result I eat a lot of nutrient-dense but calorically-low foods. I'm currently sitting just under 56kg (125 lbs) at 180cm (5'11ish). My plan currently is to just eat more often, and slowly ramp up how much I eat at each meal. About 6 years back I managed to hit 77kg by eating 4/5 large meals per day but then lost it all over the years by being sedentary and losing my appetite.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Ai says…

Gaining weight in a healthy and sustainable way typically involves focusing on nutritious food choices, consistent eating habits, and an appropriate balance of exercise. Here are a few tips:

Nutrition

  1. Increase Caloric Intake: Aim to consume more calories than you burn. Focus on nutrient-dense foods like whole grains, nuts, seeds, avocados, dairy products, and lean meats.
  2. Eat Frequently: Try eating 5–6 smaller meals throughout the day, rather than 3 big ones.
  3. Include Protein: Add protein-rich foods like eggs, tofu, chicken, fish, beans, and lentils to support muscle growth.
  4. Healthy Fats: Incorporate healthy fats from sources like olive oil, peanut butter, and fatty fish.
  5. Drink Calories: Smoothies or milkshakes with fruits, protein powder, and nut butter can be a great calorie boost.

Lifestyle

  1. Strength Training: Muscle-building exercises can ensure that the weight gained is more muscle than fat.
  2. Minimize Stress: Chronic stress can affect appetite and metabolism. Focus on relaxation and mindfulness techniques.
  3. Get Adequate Sleep: Rest is crucial for recovery and healthy.
[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

A big part of the reason AI isn't useful here is that I already have all the base-level knowledge that it can give me. I understand I need to increase my calorie intake, and I could do so by eating more frequently or larger meals. In fact, I addressed most of this advice in the post already.

AI isn't super great at delving into the nitty-gritty specific examples of "this is a high calorie food that fits into your specific diet"

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (2 children)

It confirmed that you need protein and provided some examples. If you want examples it’s easy to ask. It sounds like you have some diet restrictions that you’ll need to work out.

You can also see if weed improves your appetite.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

The fact that the AI couldn't work around the dietary restrictions kind of shows why it's worthless.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I didn’t copy/paste in the question.

Food is about the only thing I’ve found ai to be helpful at, and even then it’s not that great.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I didn’t copy/paste in the question.

Then what was the point?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

But you didn't reply to anything. You asked an AI a different question from the OP and then copy-pasted the response.

It was essentially spam.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

Nice work detective.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

You need protein

Promise I get enough protein. Probably more than most meat eaters, due to the fact that I constantly think about it. I don't know my exact numbers daily but I consume a lot of whey-protein. I eat the fake meats, tofu and all of that. I do my due diligence. I even make sure to hit my daily vitamins on average per week. I even smoke weed too to help create an appetite sometimes!!

Basically, you're repeating things I already know. I told you I already knew them when I posted, and you repeated them anyway with an Appeal to Authority with the AI slop. You didn't stop to consider that perhaps this person actually wants the question they asked answered, and instead answered a much more basic question.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I don't know my exact numbers daily but I consume a lot of whey-protein

Hey, different person here and also with a totally unrelated point to what you two were talking about haha

But I train people in the gym and it’s incredibly common for people to be massively under eating protein while also firmly believing that they must be getting enough.

I’m not saying you are! But the pattern is always the same, where my clients will list a few foods with a “protein reputation” and sort of hand wave away the actual number. Then when we actually tally it up they’re shocked to learn they aren’t even at 30% of their daily goal.

Again not trying to insinuate that you’ve been doing anything wrong, just wanted to let you know that that’s a thing I see happen a lot. It’s worth going through a few typical days and calculating your actual number. I’m a vegetarian too fwiw, typically I suggest going like 10% higher than the general recommendation for meat eaters

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

No actually you're absolutely right. I know with certainty that I should consume more protein as I put weight on. I haven't been tracking it because I had a pretty high fat percentage when I picked up this new job so I've been allowing a bit of that to melt away.

Been here for 2 months now, and now starting to build the weight back which is why I'm asking for some specific advice on high calorie foods. In the meantime, I intend to start tracking my macros and hitting some strength training on the weekend (my job is a lot of cardio).

I've been taking down at least one or two protein shakes daily, and making sure to do a lot of my vitamins and protein on the weekends with mostly carbs and sugar during the work week for fuel. Once I round up my numbers I'll adjust and create a specific diet plan

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Nice! Yeah the only thing I would recommend, especially if you do pick up some strength training, would be to try and balance things through the week and not try to load the majority of your protein into the weekend.

Resistance training puts your body into a “muscle building state”, which will last for like, a couple days after you workout. You also want there to already be protein in your system before you hit the gym.

So even if you’re only strength training on the weekend, it works out that you’re gonna want the high protein on Monday and Tuesday as well, and also pick it up again by at least Thursday’s dinner. Which is basically just every day of the week at that point haha

No pressure of course, just my 2c based on experience getting people going in the gym. It’s more than a night and day difference between the ones who take the protein seriously and the ones who brush it off. I actually emphasize this far more with my clients than the actual training itself haha

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

Ah - I don't have a 5/2 schedule so it's more balanced than it appears at first. I protein load for 3 or 4 days of each week, then expend those nutrient for the other 3 or 4 days. I still try to hit maintenance protein on my workdays, but struggle with my appetite due to the momentum of working. I do a lot of liquid calories to prevent massive weight swings

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Can you give a source as to what is enough protein?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

FDA blanket recommends 50g/day for adults. This is the value used on nutrition labels throughout the US

Other countries I believe recommend 0.8g/kg of bodyweight. For people building muscle, the current recommendation is 1.2-1.6g/kg bodyweight (or 0.5-0.7g per pound of bodyweight)