Why Can’t I Gain Weight No Matter What I Eat?

Everyone desires to have a healthy body and a sound mind. But there are times when you might wonder – why can’t I gain weight no matter what I eat? 

Your body may struggle to gain weight due to several reasons. For example, an accelerated metabolism, insufficient calorie intake, dietary deficits, or underlying medical issues can cause weight gain resistance. In addition, body types are influenced by genetics, and because of this, you can be lean. Therefore, you need to know the reason in your case to get on track for weight gain.

People often procrastinate in bringing essential changes in their lifestyle and diet plan. Keep reading to know about ways to gain weight, the types of food that will assist you in this journey, and when to take professional help to resolve this health issue.

Diseases That Cause Inability to Gain Weight

Sometimes, no matter how consciously you try, you may not be able to gain weight. It may feel unpleasant to some extent and can also lead to depression. Try to go to the root to find the reason. Most of the time, underlying health conditions act as a hindrance to weight gain. We must address these health issues for a healthy weight gain journey.

Let’s look at a few primary health conditions responsible for stopping weight gain.

Hyperthyroidism: 

This disorder develops when the thyroid gland overproduces thyroid hormones, which can result in an accelerated metabolic rate, weight loss, and trouble gaining weight. People suffering from this disease find it hard to gain weight because their body burns more energy while resting.

IBD:

IBD is a category of illnesses that includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The typical symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, stomach pain, exhaustion, and weight loss. In addition, IBD patients lose their appetite, eventually contributing to weight loss.

Diabetes: 

Uncontrolled diabetes causes unintentional weight loss. For example, in type 1 diabetes, when your body fails to produce enough insulin, it leads to the inability to use glucose as an energy source, which causes weight loss.

Malabsorption disorders:

If anyone has celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis, their digestive system may lose the ability to absorb the nutrients.

Consequently, the body may struggle to gain weight even with an adequate calorie intake.

Eating Disorders:

An abnormal obsession with food, body weight, and body shape is a defining feature of illnesses like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. These illnesses may cause significant calorie restriction, which results in weight loss.

Besides these diseases, people may struggle to gain weight due to cancer, chronic kidney diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. I would like to emphasize that these conditions are severe and life-threatening. Make a doctor’s appointment if any of these conditions apply to you.

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How to Gain Weight Safely, But I Can’t Eat A Lot?

It is usual for people to struggle with eating a balanced meal because of this issue; they cannot gain weight. Therefore, I have gathered some easy-to-follow tips for gaining weight. To achieve results, you must be consistent.

High-Calorie Food:

It would be best to emphasize eating calorie-dense foods that are also nutritious. You must make a new diet plan that includes healthy fats, such as avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.

Smaller And More Frequent Meals:

Aim for five to six smaller meals spread out all day rather than trying to eat three substantial meals each day. It may be simpler to eat more calories overall. Ensure that each meal and snack contains balanced protein, carbs, and healthy fats. You may find it tough to follow this new eating schedule initially, but you will reap the benefit after incorporating this change into your daily life.

Snacks High in Calorie:

If you love to eat snacks, you will love this hack. Add calorie-dense snacks between meals to improve your daily calorie consumption. For example, you can snack on nuts, trail mix, dried fruit, granola bars, cheese, yogurt, and protein-packed smoothies with fruits and nut butter.

Liquid Calories:

Your weight gain journey can include some tasty food items. Consume calorie-dense liquids as part of your diet. Drink milkshakes, smoothies, fruit juices, and shakes that are meal replacements and contain extra protein and good fats. Avoid sugary beverages in excess.

Supplements:

You can opt for a supplement if you lack nutrition from your daily meals. A registered dietician can guide you and prescribe supplements suitable for your health and body type. Supplements can come in high-calorie drinks or powders that provide additional calories, protein, and essential nutrients.

Exercise:

Daily exercise will be a wonderful addition to your lifestyle. To increase your muscular mass, perform frequent strength training workouts. Strength training can help you to gain weight by boosting muscular size and strength. In addition, strength-gaining exercises aid weight gain by raising the appetite.

There are so many lucrative ways to gain weight in a short period. But these ways are harmful to your health. If you are determined to gain weight, stick to a safe route for long-term health benefits.

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How Male & Female Gains Weight Differently?

Males and females generally tend to gain weight in different ways. These differences result from biological, hormonal, and behavioral elements. Men and women can have different patterns of weight growth in the following significant ways:

Hormonal Effects:

Hormones are vital in controlling body weight and composition. For instance, estrogen levels usually are higher in females, which might encourage fat buildup in certain places like the hips, thighs, and breasts. On the other hand, testosterone levels usually are higher in men, which tends to encourage muscle growth and may give them a more “muscular” appearance.

Distribution of Fat:

Males and females typically have varied fat distribution patterns because they have different hormonal profiles. Subcutaneous fat found beneath the skin and adds to a softer appearance is sometimes more abundant in females. Contrarily, visceral fat, stored deep inside the abdominal cavity, seems more prevalent in males. This fat is also linked to an elevated risk of certain medical disorders like heart disease and diabetes.

Metabolic Rate:

Males often have a higher metabolic rate than females do. Males typically have a higher muscular mass, more metabolically active than fat tissue. This is partly because of differences in body composition. Males may burn more calories while at rest due to a higher metabolic rate than females, making maintaining or reducing weight simpler.

Dietary Habits:

The eating habits of men and women often vary in several ways. According to research, men may be more likely to overeat, or binge eat than women, and women may be more prone to emotional eating. 

BMI Calculation Process to Find Out Ideal Weight Chart for Male And Female

A person’s BMI can be calculated to assess whether their weight is appropriate for their height. To determine BMI, perform the following steps:

• Measure your weight in kilograms (kg)
• Measure your height in meters (m)

You can use the following conversion factors if your height is given in feet and inches and your weight is given in pounds (lbs):

• 1 kg = 2.20462 lbs
• 1 m = 3.28084 ft
• 1 inch = 0.0254 m

Once your weight and height are converted to the proper units, use the following formula to determine your BMI:

• BMI = weight (kg) / (height (m))^2

If someone’s weight is 70 kg and height is 1.75 m, the computation would be as follows::

• BMI is equal to 70 kg/ 1.75 m2, or 22.86.

By using the BMI calculator, you can easily know the required weight according to your height. However, BMI just gives a general indicator of weight status and may not consider individual variances in body composition, muscle mass, or other factors. It is best to use BMI with other health tests and to speak with a healthcare provider for a full assessment.

What to Eat to Weight Gain?

If you love fast food, switch to a healthy diet plan to gain weight safely. Unfortunately, many people think healthy eating is boring. However, if we carefully choose our food items, we can eat healthy and enjoy the process. 

It will be good to consult a dietician to determine what’s best for attaining a specific weight gain goal. If you are allergic to the food items mentioned above, kindly avoid them.

When to Visit A Doctor?

If you’ve struggled to maintain or gain weight despite dietary adjustments and it seems like a lost battle, look for these signs and make an appointment with a doctor. They can direct you to a nutritionist and assist you in determining whether any underlying issues are present.

• Unexplained weight loss.
• Consistent failure to gain weight despite attempts.
• Additional unsettling symptoms (such as digestive problems,  appetite changes, weariness), etc.
•  Psychological or emotional disorders relating to weight increase.
•  Disordered eating habits or problems with body image.
•  General anxiety or adverse effects on mental health

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Does Everyone Gain Weight the Same Way?

No, different people experience weight gain in different ways. Genetics, metabolism, lifestyle, and personal actions are some of the variables that affect weight growth. The rate at which someone puts on weight can vary depending on their metabolism and genetic predispositions. Weight gain may also result from specific medical problems or drugs. Therefore, weight gain is a complicated and diverse problem, and each individual’s causes may differ.

• Why Can’t I Gain Weight Anymore?

There may be multiple causes for your inability to gain weight. It can result from a calorie deficit caused by a change in lifestyle or more physical activity on your part. Stress can lead to weight loss or difficulty in weight gain. Additionally, genetic and metabolic factors can have an impact on weight gain. 

• How Can A Girl Gain Weight Naturally?

You can simply adhere to the guideline in this article and introduce a healthy meal plan full of nutrition. In addition, try to get proper sleep and work on stress management to gain weight naturally. 

• What Are The Risks of Being Underweight?

Being underweight can cause many physical issues. For example, it can weaken the immune system and make the person more vulnerable to infection underweight person can suffer from weakened bones and amenia due to nutrition deficiency. It can also affect fertility and reproductive health in women.

Bottom Line:

In conclusion, it might be upsetting and baffling if you cannot gain weight no matter what you eat. Gaining weight might be challenging for some people, including increased physical activity, lifestyle changes, stress levels, underlying medical issues, or individual metabolism. After following all the tips, if still, the question remains in your life, why can’t I gain weight no matter what I eat? You can talk to a doctor and clearly understand the reasons for stopping your weight gain.