How many calories are needed to gain weight?

To gain one pound, increase net calories, which are calories consumed minus calories burned, by 3500 calories. A healthy way to gain is to eat highly nutritious, calorie-dense foods such as nuts, cheese, dried fruits and avocados, and eat more frequently including before bed.

An easy way to add calories is to add healthy toppings or sides to foods already being consumed. Adding cheese to eggs and salads and drinking smoothies instead of juice with meals increases caloric intake. Eating full meals, with a protein, starch, vegetable and fat, five to six times each day provides the extra calories needed to gain weight.