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Neal Pire, MA, CSCS Responds:
Neal Pire, MA, CSCS, director of the Sports Training Academy in Bergen County, New Jersey, responds: I envy you. That said, if you are underweight (a body mass index less than 18.5, according to the Centers for Disease Control) or simply want to gain a couple of pounds to shape up, there are some simple things you can do to achieve healthy weight gain.
Eat nutritious foods that are dense in calories. Good nutrition is still important, even if you’re trying to gain weight; eating too many "empty calories" may increase your risk of chronic disease. Try adding "good fat" sources to your meals such as nuts, avocado, olives, and fatty fish to pump up your calorie intake.
Choose high-calorie snacks between meals. Snack on raisins or dried apricots instead of berries, and try cashews or almonds instead of pretzels for higher calorie options. And have peanut butter on a banana or bread made with whole grain for a snack before bedtime.
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Neal Pire
MA, CSCS
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