We spend a lot of time thinking about how to lose weight, particularly through exercise and healthy eating. But sometimes, the goal is the opposite: to gain weight, whether it’s because you want to add more lean muscle or gain poundage for athletics. So, what are the best kinds of snacks to eat when you want to gain weight?  

Blueberry Parfait

The best way to add weight fast is by adding more calories to your diet. But that doesn’t mean you have to eat unhealthy foods. A blueberry parfait is a good example. Take one cup of vanilla Greek yogurt and add a half-cup of blueberries. Top it with granola or chopped nuts to add more protein, and top off with a drizzle of honey to add more calories.  

Peanut Butter Apples

A simple high-calorie snack is to spread peanut butter on a few slices of apples. You’ll get plenty of great nutrients from the apples and good calories from the peanut butter. And it couldn’t be easier to put together – plus, if you put the peanut butter in a container, it’s a very portable snack.  

Cottage Cheese and Fruit

The combination of savory and sweet makes cottage cheese and fruit a great snack. Select cottage cheese made with whole-fat milk in order to get the most calories; reduced or fat-free versions won’t do the trick. You can also top this snack off with some crushed nuts or granola for an added boost of protein, fiber, and calories.  

Avocado Toast

The often-maligned but quintessential Millennial snack is actually a great choice when it comes to a high-calorie snack that is also delicious. Top a slice of whole-wheat toast with sliced or mashed avocado, then add toppings of your choice, like chopped nuts, cooked egg, poppy or sesame seeds, or even bacon. This snack is packed full of calories and healthy fats, thanks to the avocado, so it’s a great choice when you’re trying to add some weight.

 

Add Weight The Right Way

When you want to gain weight, starting to eat a bunch of junk food is not the right approach. Do it smart by adding calories to your diet through healthy snack options like those listed above.