High-Calorie Diet (Gaining Weight Diet)

A high-calorie diet or up-building or high-carbohydrate diet allows food and drink with an energy value of 50 to 100 percent above the calorie requirement or above the actual food intake. The increase is based on the body’s need of energy reflected in your doctor’s diet prescription.


This dietary management is good for Cancer, Infection, Underweight.

Healthy Tips to Gain Weight

• Increase total food intake by making bigger servings or adding snacks to make a high-calorie diet.

• Eat between meals if you are not used to eating much during regular mealtimes.

• Choose nutritious and wholesome foods or snacks.

• Choose nutritious drinks like fruit juices, fruit shakes, milk and milk shakes. Avoid coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks.

• Make food presentation and table setting more appealing and nice.

• Consider tips on how to improve appetite.

• Establish a regular eating habit.

• Eat a heavy breakfast, moderate lunch, and a lighter supper.

• Eat food of the right kind, at the right interval, in the right amount, and in the right condition of mind. Eating in a relaxed atmosphere is ideal.

• Have at least 5-hour interval between meals for digestion to be efficient. Last meal of the day should be taken at least 3 hours before sleeping.

• Eat more fresh fruits.

• Eat at least one serving of dark green leafy vegetables a day.

• Eat more unrefined, unprocessed foods.

• Drink at least 6 (or 8) glasses of water a day between meals. See The Importance of Water.

• Include a variety of foods each meal.

• Take time to enjoy your food. Do not hurry.

Note: For List of Foods which are Allowed and Not Allowed for High-Calorie Diet See High-Calorie Diet Food Selection Guide

Helpful Tips for Improving Your Appetite

1. Understand the reason why you need to eat.

2. Eat most during times when you feel best.

3. Use foods that are easy to prepare and eat.

4. Eat smaller meals.

5. Don’t drink liquid with meals.

6. Use nutritious liquids between meals.

7. Plan for variety.

8. Try or taste new, unfamiliar foods.

Reference: Healing Wonders of Diet Effective Guide to Diet Therapy p.102 and p.246 © 2003 Philippine Publishing House ISBN 971-581-013-6