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Snack ideas for gaining weight
happyplodder
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I am currently trying to gain weight and have done well in boosting my intake but am getting a bit bored of my choices of my morning and afternoon snacks; I have been having oatcakes/crispbreads/rice cakes with nut butter or cottage cheese plus fruit. Would appreciate some new ideas as am losing the inclination for these snacks which will obviously not help my weight gain. However, I am not keen on sweet things so savoury ideas are preferred!
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Can I ask therefore if your desire to put on weight is related to your running ambitions or instead to achieve a more average bodyshape?
My son eats like a horse and does weightlifting, the latter of which has had some impact on his weight so maybe look to the gym as a route to your aim.
PS With a pseudonym of Aimingforfaster the replies to date I would suggest have been pretty lighthearted!
Best of luck with your ambitions and keep well
A tub of cheese cubes and cucumber, carrot sticks is good in the afternoon. Also, hummus or avocado dips to make the crisp things more appetising and carry more calories.
Hi John - apologies if my reply sounded rude as I did not intend that. I understand that weight can certainly impede running but I am aiming to gain some weight/muscle to make me stronger; last year when I gained some I took 5 mins off my 10k time in as many weeks; but also to bring me into the healthy weight range (even the very bottom).
I have incorporated strength training into my training and think this is helping. Just need to keep up my energy intake which seems to require a bit of focus.
Gyraffe - thanks for the ideas!
I am sympathetic of your issue. Im very slim myself as is my entire family. Nobody in my family has made 10 Stone and im now the heaviest weighing in a 9st6 at 5ft7.
I found that running regulary made me gain weight more than anything else before it, Unfortunately I am still unable to say I have found the magic answer with regards to gaining weight, but good luck.
Yes it seems some people are more prone to being slender - I used to be around 8st10lb at 5ft8 which was fine but over last few years dropped to a low of 7st5lb and now around 7st10lb so it really is too low for my good health and outwith just being slim.
Running is certainly one of my key reasons for wanting to gain weight as I have noticed the most successful female runners in my club definitely have a more bulk to them and it certainly doesn't slow them down!
Rice cakes are not a snack food that will make you put on weight!
If you are a savoury type i can recommend the vast array of nuts out there, not only are they energy dense but they pack a nutrition punch too, almonds, brazil nuts, cashews (i like marmite cashews) you can get spicy ones, salty ones, crunchy ones, mmmmm.
Also might be worth going to the doctor to rule out thyroid issues ( you don't want an overactive thyroid because it tends to swing back the other way after cell death and then you get mega fat), parasites, even TB (yes ths is making a big comeback in the UK).
I consulted a sports dietitian last year who helped me gain around 4lb after pointing out that my carb intake was quite low so that is where the carby morning and afternoon snack requirement came from. I agree rice cakes are not high calorie but were just to have a change from oatcakes or crispbread. I do love nuts and add them to my breakfast every day and often incorporate in my other meals too and of course nut butter.
Thyroid was checked recently and is fine so I think my issue is making sure my energy intake matches my expenditure (running 25-30 miles a week, cycling around 50-60 miles a week, couple of swims and few strength sessions).
Maybe I need to try making some savoury/not too sweet muffins!
You're a very interesting/baffling case.
Funnily enough if anything triggers the appetite it's sugary/carby foods and since your dietician noted your lower carb diet it's interesting that you also cite a preference for savoury things.
How about just letting go? Experiment! Try different foods to wake your appetite and palette!
Ayurvedic medicine would place you firmly in the Vata category, google it, I'm a scientist myself so don't place too much emphasis on the hocus pocus side, but there is some sense in seeing the person as a whole (not just the foods we eat but the way we think and the things we do). I'm a pitta myself, leaning towards kapha since having children.
After a run I always have a banana blitzed with milk and extra dark cocoa powder as that is when I can handle the most sweetness. I also eat a lot of yoghurt and have a hot milk before bed especially as recently diagnosed with osteopenia in spine.
Htc24 - I'll have a look at the Ayurvedic categories as although I am also a scientist some of the more ancient medicine traditions seem quite sensible!
why not have proper snacks like cheese sandwiches.egg rolls and crisps