This is how you can gain weight in a healthy way as a woman

Many people struggle to lose a few kilos, but the opposite also occurs: the desire to gain weight. Would you like to gain weight? Perhaps you find a “fuller” body more attractive, are recovering from an illness, or are underweight. You want to avoid indulging in fries, mayo, bags of chips, and cream cakes, but how can you gain weight in a healthy way as a woman? These tips will help you!

Healthy weight gain: how do you do that?

Underweight comes with many health risks and is just as dangerous as being overweight. Officially, you are considered underweight if your BMI is below 18.5. If you fall below that threshold, your body may not function properly. As a woman, being underweight can lead to various problems, such as the absence of menstruation. You are also more prone to fractures and infections. But how do you ensure you gain weight? In this article, we dive into the role of nutrition and exercise.

Good nutrition tips if you want to gain weight

Let’s start with the basics. To gain weight, you need to eat more than you burn. Your body uses the surplus of calories to build muscle tissue, or (if you don't do strength training) to store fat. How much you burn depends on factors such as your age, gender (women generally burn fewer calories than men), body mass, metabolism, and (active) lifestyle.

To gain weight, it is important to create a calorie surplus. Before you fire up the fryer and throw in the snacks—or run to the nearest patisserie—read on. Of course, you can gain weight from a pizza-with-liters-of-cola diet, but for optimal health, a strong body, and energy, you’ll need to nourish your body with healthy nutrients. So, what should you consume?