While most people obsess over losing weight, there are some who look to gain weight and add some much needed pounds to their meager frames. If you are looking to gain weight, you will obviously be aiming to eat as much as possible – however, keep in mind that you need to maintain your body’s health as you attempt to pile on some pounds. Do not overindulge in rich processed foods chock full of additives and empty calories, as these are bad for your heart and overall health – eat generous meals, and snack in between, but make sure everything you put into your body is healthy and nutritious.

Nuts and seeds

Loaded with mono-saturated fats, proteins, and calories, nuts and seeds are great for building muscle and increasing body weight – walnuts, almonds, pistachios, sunflower seeds and flax seeds are all great if weight gain is your goal – to increase their muscle building abilities and enhance the taste, you can pair them with some peanut butter for a high-power snack.

Tuna

Long considered a health food, tuna has been incorporated into a variety of weight loss diets, and many fitness experts swear by the fish owing to its low fat content. However, tuna is also packed with protein and healthy calories, making it an excellent choice for those who are looking to gain weight too.

Crackers and bagels

Since your goal is weight gain, there is no need to stay away from carbohydrates – however, this doesn’t mean that you should overdose on white bread. Go for the healthier options, and eat plenty of crackers and bagels made of whole wheat, sesame, and bran – these will not harm your body, and will help you pack on the pounds. When eating breads and crackers, use liberal amounts of jam, honey, peanut butter, margarine, and cream cheese as toppings.

Whole fat dairy products

As far as dairy products are concerned, steer clear of anything that is low-fat or skim – have whole milks and full cream products. Brimming over with fats and protein, these products will help you gain weight in no time. Indulge in full fat yogurt sweetened with honey, and eat lots of whole-fat cheese like cheddar and Swiss.

Fruits and vegetables

While these are generally considered a part of weight loss diets, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can also help those looking to gain pile on a few healthy pounds. Fruits and vegetables are rich in minerals, vitamins, and healthy sugars. In addition, you can also indulge in snacks comprising dried fruits like raisins, dried prunes, and dried figs, etc.

Cereals

Bulk up your body weight with plenty of healthy cereals, like oats, granola, and muesli – add raisins and chopped fruits to a bowl of cereal, and douse it all with some full-fat milk. However, steer clear of the unhealthy options like cocoa puffs and frosted flakes.

Regular snack foods

While dieters need to lay off the traditional junk food, those who are looking to gain weight can still enjoy them. However, make sure you do not take these in excess, or reach for the extremely unhealthy varieties – go for baked potato chips, dark chocolate, pretzels, and the like.