It is important to eat an extraordinary amount of calorie rich foods as part of your daily routine. High quality protein in the right combination with carbohydrates is an important part of a weight-gaining program. Protein is a requirement for building muscle tissue and weight gain. Body Builders strive consume 1 gram of protein or more for each pound of body weight they weigh in order to maintain or build mass.

Learn to measure and calculate your daily food intake rather than guessing. In addition to eating more calories, increase intake to 6 meals per day, eating every three hours. This is where nutritional supplements are important as meal replacements. Supplements give hard-to-gain-ers the opportunity to gain weight by boosting and supplementing their existing diet while they maintain proper nutrition and weight training.

Take supplements that stimulate appetite so that you want to eat more.

These include:
Food-based Multivitamins and Multi-minerals help to balance body fluids and tissue salts; try VitaGanza Life Essentials

High Protein/High Carbohydrate (not from simple sugars) Meal replacements: Consume with meals; try MRM Gainers.

L-Glutamine aids in digestion of proteins and carbohydrates; try MRM L-Glutamine or RenewLife IntestiNEW.

Creatine helps to build body mass but must be accompanied with some exercise; try MRM Creatine and RestorAge

Protease and bromelain aid in processing protein in high protein diets; amylase aids in breaking down carbohydrates; try Theramedix DGX Amino Acids assist in converting protein to muscle; try Marlyn Formula 50

Anise tincture stimulates appetite naturally (you can also get anise from any store in the spice aisle; try grinding some yourself fresh!)

Food ideas for gaining weight:

Eat high-calorie foods (NO low, non or reduced fat). Choose cream instead of milk as a creamer, avocados instead of cucumbers, lots of nuts and seeds and nut/seed butters (not peanut). Cheese sauces on vegetables adds calories.

Eat at least 3 healthy meals per day, high in protein and whole food carbohydrates (no sugar or chemically sweetened) and serve large portions.

Eat healthy, high-calorie snacks between meals (granola, whole wheat or spelt crackers, etc.);

Drink freshly pressed fruit and vegetable juices with snacks (try the Omega 8005 Masticating/Pulverizing Juicer)

AVOID SUGAR, CHEMICAL SUGAR SWEETENERS, ALCOHOL AND PROCESSED FOODS; all they do is cause various organs to overwork or to decay. Stick to whole grains, starches, proteins, vegetables and some fruits, in conjunction with some of the other ideas given here, to gain weight in a healthy manner, stay fit and look great!