Low-Carb Diets Aren’t Just for Weight Loss

While low-carb diets are a popular option for people looking to lose weight, you can also gain weight while cutting carbs. Read on to find out how.

People often turn to low-carb diets as a means to lose weight, but can you gain weight when eating low-carb? If you intend to pack on the pounds, read on to learn how low-carb diets aren’t just for weight loss anymore.

Eat Foods That Make You Gain Weight

Traditional high-calorie, bulking diets are pretty common and do work well for some people who want to gain weight quickly. However, low-carb foods are some of the most nutrient-dense foods available. From protein-rich staples like eggs and healthy unsaturated fats from avocados, you can gain weight on a low-carb diet.

Lifesum’s app offers a variety of diets for healthy weight gain and the nutrients found in these foods far outweigh the minuscule amount of nourishment that high-carb foods like ice cream and soda can offer. With those sweet treats, you’ll likely gain unwanted fat stores around your abdomen and increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes and other health problems.

Stick to energy-dense proteins like lean cuts of chicken, beef, and fish. Dairy products like cottage cheese and omega-rich fats from olives and walnuts are all excellent options for low-carb weight gains. Load a variety of antioxidant-rich veggies and fruits like spinach, blueberries, and apples on your plate that are full of fiber to help keep you feeling full.

Don’t Neglect Your Fiber

The standard advice for weight gain has been to overeat carbs so you can “bulk up.” However, that practice often backfires, because your gains can lead to unhealthy fat stores. Fiber doesn’t raise your blood glucose levels, so low-carb diets don’t restrict it — quite the contrary. Fiber improves the results of low-carb dieting by slowing the absorption of sugars into our bloodstream, further improving the results of low-carb dieting. Asparagus, broccoli, and blackberries are all high-fiber foods that are low in carbs.

Gain Weight Fast on a Low Carb Diet

Whether your weight gain goals are to add more strength or to improve your self-confidence and appearance, most of us want to see results today. Gaining weight with the help of a low-carb diet is a healthier alternative to crash diets, but it does take some time. To gain a pound a week, you need to create a surplus of about 3,500 calories. Those calories are above and beyond what you use at the gym and for your body’s fundamental metabolic processes.

Eat often, and choose a variety of quality foods that are high in unsaturated fats like salmon and flax. Try to eat every three hours, and include a serving of either meat, fish, eggs, or dairy with each meal. Fruits and veggies will also play a prominent role in a weight-gaining diet. Fill up on starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes. Adding moderate amounts of starches to a low-carb diet full of healthy fat will increase weight gains.

It’s a long-held myth that you can’t gain weight on a low-carb diet. The most common mistake people make when trying to gain weight is simply not eating enough of the right foods. Track your progress, adjust as needed and enjoy your success.

All of the content and media on Lifesum is created and published for information purposes only. It is not intended to be used as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Users should always consult with a doctor or other health care professional for medical advice. If you have or think you are at risk of developing an eating disorder, do not use the Lifesum app and seek immediate medical help.