Ask Mary RSS

Your personal nutritionist
By Mary Hartley, RD
Director of Nutrition

How can I gain one pound every 3 days?
Asked by nadyamary on Jun 24, 2009 in Eating Disorders



I had an eating disorder in the past but I managed to get over it, even though I did not finish treatment.  I am 5'1” and I weigh 87 pounds. I really want to gain weight fast because I feel extremely slim. In treatment, we were required to gain 3/4 of a pound every M-W-F.  I want to gain a pound every 3 days until I am 110 lbs.  I never was above 95 pounds. How can I gain weight fast?


Answer

To gain one pound, a surplus of 3500 calories is needed.  For you, that means 2828 calories a day, since you need 1328 calories to maintain your present weight, plus 1500 additional calories to produce a three pound per week gain.  But, in actuality, after a period of malnutrition, many people need between 3,000 and 5,000 calories a day to sustain weight gain.  In addition, calorie intake should be increased gradually to give the body a chance to adjust.  I strongly advise you seek the care of a physician while you are trying to gain.  Read about how to gain weight from the Guide to Nutrition at About.com.



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