For the skinny guys out there, they may think they can get away with eating anything under the sun without putting on weight. Some may deem that they have ‘worms’, have a faster metabolism or are unable to digest food properly.
The fact of the matter is that, when a person eats less, chances are he/she will tend to remain skinny mostly. You can affirm this by tracking your daily caloric intake and note down it in some app or whichever means necessary. For the most part, skinny lads overestimate the amount they eat. In the case of hard gainers, they gain weight with quite difficult as they are active. In the case of ectomorphs, they have a smaller frame and may not be as big or strong. But in both cases, for putting on more weight, the only road to take is higher caloric intake.
Therefore, it is imprudent to think that your body in unchangeable due to metabolism. Moreover, the fallacy of ‘it runs into the family’ is also false by all means. Rather, it is more a matter of nutrition. A higher intake of calories will result in faster weight gain.
Underweight and Illness
Illnesses can also cause weight loss. In case of the flu, some weight can be reduced, but more serious illnesses can have more devastating effects.
Listed below are 5 proven medical reasons for being underweight:
- Hyperthyroidism
As is the case, the hormone thyroxine is produced by the thyroid gland. It is known as the orchestra of the human body. When the production of the thyroid hormone is normal, the body is completely in good condition.
But in a case where the thyroid gland is not in proper working condition, it may result in an uneven heartbeat, a rise in body temperature and extensive weight loss.
- Cancer
Cancer can result in rapid weight loss, followed by an absence of appetite, tiredness, the incapability to increase weight and nausea. It is necessary to undertake a complete examination to diagnose cancer.
- Tuberculosis
TB or Tuberculosis is commonplace in South Africa. It is a wasting disease which increases tiredness, coughing, weight loss and malaise. It is necessary to check up on it by a physician to confirm the existence of this disease.
- Diabetes
Many patients having diabetes and insulin resistance may suffer from unwanted overweight, however, excessive urination, thirst, tiredness and weight loss is also a symptom of diabetes. The patients, in this case, need to check on their insulin levels and blood glucose status to affirm that they have diabetes. This phenomenon is greatly pronounced in families having diabetes in the family.
- Aids/HIV
Another disease found commonly South Africa is HIV/Aids. The condition is called a slim disease, which retards weight gain to a great degree. In a case where a person has a healthy diet and weight continues to drop, chances are HIV/Aids must be existing. The correct medication can help in putting a halt to the spread of this disease.
- Psychological Causes: Depression
Apart from bulimia and anorexia, depression is also a contributing factor in making a person underweight. Patients of depression suffer from a lessened appetite; they may also lose weight at a disturbing rate. In such a case, it is necessary to consult a health expert as soon as possible.
Symptoms of suicide are the following:
- Lack of sleep
- Feeling weary/tired
- Moody
- Suicidal thoughts
- A feeling of being powerless
Health Issues for Underweights
An underweight individual is more likely to suffer from one of the following issues:
- Delays in development
- Infertility
- Osteoporosis
- Weak immune system
- Complications during the surgical process
Whereas gaining weight can be a struggle, certain foods can assist in this regard. They can boost health and increase muscle weight too.
Foods for Weight Gain
The following list of options can increase weight safely, without any side-effects:
- Milk
Milk contains proteins, carbohydrates and fat. It is a rich source of calcium, minerals and vitamins. For people trying to build muscle, milk is a great natural choice. Drinking skimmed milk is more advantageous than a soy-related product. Milk needs to be added to the daily diet for those looking to increase weight naturally.
- Protein Shakes
The protein shakes can greatly expedite the weight gain process. As is the case, these protein shakes to build muscle and should be consumed after a workout. But certain protein shakes do contain additional sugar and should be desisted from.
- Rice
One cup of rice is 200 calories, and it is a vital source of carbohydrates. This helps in gaining weight. Most people can easily mix the rice in their daily meals.
- Whole-grain bread
These bread contain complex carbohydrates, which can promote weight gain. Some also contain seeds, which provide added benefits.
- Cheese
Cheese is a healthy source of calories, calcium, protein and fat. For anyone looking to increase weight, should opt for full-fat cheese.
- Yoghurt
Yoghurt is a viable source of nutrients and proteins. Steer clear from flavoured yoghurts and also those having less fat content, as they have higher sugar content.
- Pasta
Pasta is dense in calories and carbohydrate-rich, which is why they are highly advisable in weight gain. However, do avoid the bleached pasta and look for those that are made from whole grains.
- Cereal Bars
Cereal bars are a good source of minerals and vitamin and they are available more conveniently. Look for bars containing fruits, nuts and whole grains and avoid cereal bars with high sugar content.
- Whole-grain Cereals
Most cereals have minerals and vitamins by default. As is the case, some whole-grain cereals have fewer carbohydrates and less sugar, they should be avoided. Go for the whole-grain cereals which have antioxidants and fibre.
- Red Meat
Red meat is one of the best food available to build muscle. Steaks can be a healthy dosage of leucine. Leucine is an amino acid that the human body needs to put muscle tissue and initiate muscle protein synthesis. More so, the red meat is a rich source of dietary creatine, which is commonly sold as a muscle-building supplement. Fatty and lean meat is both a rich source of protein, but fatty meat has more calories and can increase weight speedily.
Conclusion
The foods mentioned above can greatly assist in elevating the caloric intake safely and increase the weight efficiently.
Author Bio:
Natasha Lord is a tech-savvy and gadgets lover. She is also a health and fitness fanatic, loves to play football, hockey, and video games. She has experience with much creative content, web-content, and academic writing agencies. She is currently working for an academic consultation company where you can buy assignment help UK.