How to Gain Weight When You Have Diabetes

Eat often. You may feel full after eating a very small amount of food. If this is the case for you, eating three standard meals a day will prevent you from eating enough for each of them. Instead of eating three large meals a day, split your meals and eat them more often. ^[2]

• Eat five to six meals a day instead of the usual two or three.
• Add special dishes to your food to absorb more calories.
• Eat as much as you can at each meal.

Eat nutritious foods. Try to eat foods that are high in nutrients to make sure you’re still getting enough. Eating more just for the sake of gaining weight won’t guarantee that you’re healthy. Eat the following foods to get the nutrients you need. ^[3]

• Cereals, pastas and breads should be made from whole grains. Avoid processed products.
• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, nuts, seeds, and lean meats.
• You can also try shakes or smoothies.
• As always, control your diet to maintain the right amount of sugar in your body.

Avoid drinking water before eating. Many people feel that they lose their appetite when using pre-meal drinks. Drinking a drink will make you feel full before you actually eat anything. Avoid this situation by not drinking anything at least half an hour before a meal. ^[4]

• If you want to drink something before a meal, make sure it contains nutrients and calories.

Eat appropriate snacks. If you like to snack between meals during the day, make sure they provide high nutritional value. Snacks are going to be additional fuel for your body to maintain your health between meals, not an opportunity for you to indulge in harmful foods, especially when you have diabetes. To gain weight, you need to consume more calories as well as the right nutrients. Try one of these foods to make sure you get both calories and nutrients in your snack: ^[5]

• Nuts
• Cheese
• peanut butter
• Avocado
• Dried fruit

Eat the right type of powdered sugar. Increasing your carbohydrate intake is a great way to gain weight and fuel your body. However, diabetics should be aware that carbohydrates can affect blood glucose levels. Try the following foods to provide your body with powdered sugar without dangerously high blood sugar levels. ^[6]

• Whole grains
• Kinds of bean
• Milk
• Yogurt

Gain weight by eating the right fats. Fat is one of the foods with the most calories. With a high-fat diet, the process of gaining weight will happen very quickly and easily. However, for your health, not all fats are created equal. Mono and polyunsaturated fats are considered “good” fats in moderation, and you should always avoid soluble and trans fats. Eat some of the following foods to get the healthiest fats in your diet. ^[7]

• Use olive or canola oil when cooking.
• Eat nuts, seeds, and avocados.
• Try natural peanut butter, cashew butter or almond butter.
• As always, keep your blood sugar under control as you change your diet to keep it at a safe level.