Weight gain with Boost

Question
"Hi George, my question is actually about gaining weight as opposed to losing it. I am about 6'2 and I am too skinny. My question is, can that nutritional drink product called Boost help me gain weight and what is recommended amount to drink. I am a light eater. Any infromation would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Andy

Answer
Hello Andy!

In order to gain weight, you need to consume more calories than you are currently taking in every day. You really shouldn't guess how many calories you need. If you have been fighting an illness, you should speak with your doctor about your daily calorie needs. You can also use an online calculator such as MyPyramid.gov or this Nutrition Guide.

Once you know how many calories you need to aim for each day, use a food diary to track your daily intake. A food diary will help you track your calorie intake and help remind you when it is time to eat and help you be sure you are getting all of the nutrients you need. If you prefer to keep your food diary online, you can join Calorie Count Plus. This site is free and allows you to track the calories you take in as well as the calories you burn with exercise. It also rates your daily diet's nutritional value.

Choosing Healthy Foods to Gain Weight
Remember that you need to choose healthy foods to really be healthy. This is especially important if you are recovering from an illness or have been undernourished for a long time. You want to gain weight and you want to improve your health as well.
Tips for Increasing Calories While Keeping a Healthy Diet
Add cheese, nuts and dressings made with olive, walnut or canola oil to salads.
Eat starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn more often.
Go for dried fruits or fruit juices as healthy higher calorie snacks.
Add cream or cheese sauces to fish and baked chicken breast.
Choose herbs and spices to increase the flavors of your food rather than relying on salt.
Add powdered milk to soups and sauces to offer calories and protein.
Spread Peanut butter on whole grain bread, apples or celery sticks to get a great source of protein and calories.
Stick with healthy desserts, such as a bowl of berries with whipped topping and lot of chopped nuts.
Spoon healthy salad dressings on sandwiches and as a dip for vegetables.
Dip whole grain bread into olive oil, walnut oil or flax seed oil. If you don't care for much meat, add legumes such as black beans, kidney beans and pinto beans as protein sources.
Pick dark chocolate as a treat. Dark chocolate has antioxidants that other sweets don't have.
The foods that you choose to eat are important for more than just the amount of calories they contain. The foods you eat also have to give you the nutrients you need. Keep your high-calorie foods healthy; don't add non-nutritious junk foods to your diet. Junk foods may have lots of sugar and unhealthy fats that add the calories you may want, but they don't have much to offer nutritionally. Make sure you eat foods that have good nutritional value along with those extra calories.

For more answers to your nutrition questions check out www.planetyorgos.com

-George Rapitis, MS
www.juiceblend.com

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