One of the first things many people do when they’re trying to lose weight is to go to a nutritionist. They help over weight people understand how different foods affect their bodies, what types of foods they should be eating and how many calories they should be eating each day to lose weight. So wouldn’t a nutritionist be able to do the same things for someone who is trying to gain weight? They can help with all the following weight gain aspects.
Knowing how many calories you need to eat each day. Gaining weight is all about taking in more calories than you’re burning. So, to start your weight gain journey, you need to know how many calories you should be eating each day. Every person needs a different amount of calories each day depending on various factors. Everyone burns a different amount of calories each day (depending on weight, age, activity level, etc). On top of that, the amount of calories you need to eat when trying to gain weight will depend on how aggressive your weight gain goals are. A nutritionist can help you figure this out. They will take a look at your age, weight, gender, body type, and activity level and determine how many calories your body is currently burning each day. Then, depending on what your specific weight gain goals are, they can tell you how many calories you need to eat each day in order to gain weight.
Knowing how often you should be eating. Another thing that will affect your weight gain goals is how often you are eating. If you are eating large meals too close together, you may still be full from the previous meal and not be able to eat as much at the current meal. But if you are eating too far apart, you might not be meeting your caloric intake needs. So, nutritionists can help you figure out how often you should be eating. They can help you plan out when to eat meals and snacks, and how much to eat at each meal. That way you know you are reaching your caloric intake minimums each day.
Understanding which foods will help you gain weight. Different foods affect our bodies in different ways. Our bodies react to Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats in completely different ways, and these types of foods will affect our weight gain goals in very different ways. Nutritionists know the differences between these types of foods, how our bodies react to them, and which foods fit into each category. Nutritionists can tell you exactly which foods will be the best for you to eat when you are trying to gain weight. They can also tell you which to avoid. They can tell you what foods are higher in calories and which foods are less filling. So they can help you figure out the best foods to help you reach your goals.
Creating meal plans. A nutritionist can create a personalized meal plan for you. Having a meal plan to follow is a great idea when you’re trying to gain weight. It can help you know what foods to eat, when to eat them, create a schedule, and ensure that you are meeting your minimum caloric intake needs each day. Your nutritionist can customize your meal plan to fit your specific needs. They will take into consideration your appetite and taste buds. A meal plan that includes a bunch of foods you don’t like definitely won’t do you any good! So they can help you plan out meals that include foods that you enjoy, but that will also help you with your goals. They will help you plan your meals and snacks around your specific schedule, so you know you’ll never miss a meal or opportunity to eat. They will create a plan that works for your lifestyle like if you eat out a lot, or cook most of your meals at home for example.
Deciding if you should take any supplements. Supplements, like weight gainers and protein shakes, can be great resources when you’re trying to gain weight. They can really help amplify your weight gain goals. Not all nutritionists will be well versed in weight gain supplements. But they should be able to help you understand how some supplements affect your body. They can especially help you know if you have the ability to take in the amount of calories that you need on your own (depending on your appetite, metabolism, goals, etc), or if you might need some help with supplementation.
Track your progress. Once you have a plan set up, you won’t always know exactly how you will do with the plan and how your body will react. So, a nutritionist can meet with you on a regular basis to track your progress. They can see how you are doing with the plan, and if you are progressing in reaching your goals, and make any needed adjustments, they can increase your caloric intake minimums, help you decide if it’s time to try supplements and see what has and hasn’t worked for you.
Keep you motivated and accountable. Sometimes you need a little help staying motivated. It’s hard to see the progress you’re making on your own. But, when a nutritionist is tracking your progress, they are able to help you notice your progress and results. You might not be able to see the results in the mirror, but the numbers can be a much better indicator. So, as they report your results to you and you’re able to see the progress you’re making, it helps you to stay positive. And if you’re not making the type of progress you’d like, they can help you figure out and understand why, and make any necessary adjustments. This way you know you are always working in the right direction. Another great thing about working with a nutritionist is it gives you a level of accountability. Knowing that you’re going to be meeting with someone who is going to measure your results could help you to keep up the hard work and stay “on the wagon.”
As you can see, a nutritionist can really be a great ally when you’re trying to gain weight. It is definitely not necessary to work with a nutritionist when you’re trying to gain weight. But, a nutritionist can help you know exactly what you need to do to reach your goals, create a plan that will help you with these goals, know how you’re doing along the way, and make adjustments when needed to keep you on the right path.
