Do you want to gain weight, but don’t know what to eat? Eating the right foods before bed can help you reach your goal. Today, we answer the question, “What should I eat before bed to gain weight?”
If you are trying to gain weight, it can be difficult to find high-calorie foods that are also easy to eat before going to sleep. The goal is to give yourself a boost of energy for the next day and provide enough nutrition for your body so that it can recover quickly.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of 10 foods you should eat before bed if you want to gain weight. These tasty treats will keep you full and help your body build muscle without feeling overly full or weighed down.
Keep reading below for 10 delicious and nourishing foods that will help you gain those extra pounds!
We won’t keep you waiting, Here are 10 foods to help you pack on the pounds: Nuts and nut butters, dried fruits, cheese, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, avocados, potatoes, bananas, granola, trail-mix, and a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Nuts and Nut Butters: High in Healthy Fats and Calories
When looking for foods to eat before bed to gain weight, nuts and nut butters are a perfect way to start. They are packed with healthy fats and calories, making them an ideal snack before bed. Nuts like almonds, walnuts, and macadamias contain high amounts of healthy mono-saturated and polyunsaturated fats and can provide anywhere from 160 to 200 calories per serving. Peanuts are a great source of protein as well.
For the best results when trying to gain weight with nuts, go for raw or dry roasted varieties with no added salt or sweeteners. You can also opt for nut butters such as almond or peanut butter. A two-tablespoon serving can add up to 190-200 calories depending on the type chosen. Spread either one on whole grain toast or an apple for an easy snack before bed that will help you reach your goals!
Dried Fruits: Portable and Sugar-Filled
Dried fruits are a great snack to eat before bed if you’re looking to gain weight. They are highly portable and easy to eat, and they contain high amounts of natural sugar. Dates, for example, contain about 66 calories and 16 grams of sugar per each 29-gram serving. Dried figs also boast about 66 calories for every 30 grams. Other dried fruit high in sugar include raisins, cranberries, apricots and prunes.
It is important to watch your portion size when it comes to dried fruit as it is quite calorie-dense. If you don’t want to consume large amounts of dried fruit throughout the day, try eating them as a pre-bed snack. This can help you reach your daily calorie goals without overeating on other snacks throughout the day.
Cheese: Melted or Snacked
Cheese has long been a favorite meal-time comfort food, and with good reason. High in calories and rich in protein, cheese can be eaten before bed to provide a hefty dose of nutrients and help you on your way to gaining weight.
Melted Cheese
Melted cheese on toast, wraps, and even vegetables makes for an easy and delicious pre-bed meal that won’t take too long to prepare. It’s super easy to sprinkle any kind of cheese over any kind of bread or vegetable that you have lying around the kitchen – just let it melt in the oven or microwave until it’s bubbling and golden-brown.
Snack Cheese
If melted cheese doesn’t fit your appetizer preferences, try snacking on a piece of cheese instead. Cheese slices with some crackers make for a simple yet satisfying snack that can be easily prepared in no time. Add a few toppings such as almond butter or crunchy vegetables for extra nutrition – perfect before bed!
Greek Yogurt or Cottage Cheese: Protein-Packed
Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are both packed with protein, which makes them a great option to snack on before bed. Not only are they highly nutritious, but they also contain an abundance of calories and will help you reach your weight gain goals.
Below are some of the benefits you can expect from eating Greek yogurt and cottage cheese before bed:
- Protein: Both Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are protein-rich options that can help promote muscle growth.
- High Calorie Counts: Each food contains a significant amount of calories, so they can be used to help you reach your daily calorie target.
- Healthy Fats: Cottage cheese is high in healthy fats that can help to keep you full for longer, while Greek yogurt provides beneficial bacteria for your digestive system.
- Versatility: Both are incredibly versatile foods that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways – you can top them with fruits and granola or eat them plain as a snack before bed.
Avocados: Creamy and Nutritious
Avocados are a great snack before bed, since they provide both a creamy, pleasant texture and plenty of nutrition. Avocados are an excellent source of healthy fats and protein, making them an excellent choice if you’re trying to pack on some extra pounds.
Each avocado contains around 322 calories and 29 grams of fat, so consuming one or two avocados before bed can be a great way to consume a lot of energy in a single sitting. Avocados are also high in fiber and low in sugar, which makes them a very satisfying snack.
To get the most out of your avocados, try adding them to other snacks like smoothies or sandwiches. Or you can just eat them plain; one quick and easy way to enjoy avocado is to slice it up and sprinkle it with a little salt and pepper.
No matter how you choose to prepare it, make sure you add avocados to your pre-bedtime snacks for an extra dose of healthy fats and protein.
Potatoes: Starchy and Filling
Potatoes are an easy and satisfying food to eat before bed. They’re high in calories and can provide the energy you need for a sound night’s sleep that will help you gain weight.
Here are some potato-based snacks you can eat to help you hit your calorie goals:
- Baked potato with butter or cream cheese
- Roasted potatoes with olive oil and rosemary
- Mashed potatoes with sour cream, butter, and garlic powder
- Hash browns
- Homemade French fries
- Grilled potato skins
- Cheesy scalloped potatoes
- Potato chips with dip
- Baked sweet potatoes sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon
- Twice-baked potatoes filled with cheddar cheese and bacon bits
Eating these high calorie snacks before bed is an easy way to make sure your body is getting the fuel it needs to build more muscle mass while sleeping!
Bananas: Sweet and Potassium-Rich
Bananas are a delicious, sweet way to get some extra calories before bed. Not only are they rich in carbohydrates, but they also contain potassium, which helps to regulate your body’s fluid levels and electrolyte balance. Plus, a single banana packs up to 105 calories. Making them a great choice for when you’re looking for something easy and tasty before bed.
Here are some ways you can enjoy a banana before bed:
- Freeze it and eat it like ice cream
- Slice it into a smoothie or shake
- Chop it into your favorite cereal or oatmeal
- Mash it and spread it on toast
- Make banana bread
- Blend it with peanut butter and honey for a creamy shake
- Top with yogurt and granola for breakfast
Granola: Crunchy, Sweet and Calorie-Dense
Granola is the perfect snack for anyone looking to pack on the pounds without having to worry about feeling weighed down. Not only does it have an enjoyable crunch, but it is also packed with energy-producing carbohydrates that can keep you going all night.
Granola can be made from a variety of different ingredients, depending on your personal preferences and needs. Some popular ingredients in granola are oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruits. Each of these ingredients provides plenty of flavor and nutrients that will help you gain weight and stay healthy at the same time.
When choosing the right granola for before-bed snacking, look for varieties that contain at least 300 calories per serving. Here are a few examples of high-calorie granolas:
- Quaker Oats Granola with Raisins & Almonds (360 calories per serving)
- Post Great Grains Cranberry Almond Crunch Cereal (387 calories per serving)
- Purely Elizabeth’s Chocolate Sea Salt Ancient Grain Granola (330 calories per serving)
- Nature Valley Oats ‘n Honey Crunchy Granola Bars (310 calories per serving)
- Nature’s Path Organic Cranberry Almond Flax Granola (300 calories per serving).
These delicious options make gaining weight a piece of cake! Plus, they’ll keep you going through the night as your body repairs itself and builds muscle mass throughout the hours you sleep.
Trail Mix: The Perfect Mix of Nutrients
Trail mix is a type of snack often made up of nuts, seeds, and sometimes dried fruit, that provides a perfect mix of nutrients. It’s high in healthy fats and protein, which makes it the ideal bedtime snack to help you gain weight. Eating trail mix before bed will provide you with long-lasting energy and essential vitamins and minerals that will nourish your body.
Not only is trail mix delicious, it’s also incredibly convenient. You can buy pre-made trail mix or create your own combination with your favorite nuts and dried fruits. Nuts such as almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts have especially high calorie content. And you can add in raisins, cranberries or dried apricots for sweetness. So go ahead and indulge in some healthy pre-bed snacking with a handful of trail mix!
Peanut Butter Sandwich: A Classic High-Calorie Option
When it comes to bedtime snacks, a peanut butter sandwich can’t be beat. Not only does it provide a significant amount of calories and healthy fats, but it is also easy to prepare and eat.
Here’s how you can make the perfect pre-bed snack for gaining weight:
- Spread a layer of creamy peanut butter on two slices of your favorite whole grain bread
- Sprinkle some chopped nuts over the top (almonds, walnuts, or cashews work best)
- Drizzle with honey or maple syrup for added sweetness and calories
- Grill the sandwich in a panini press or in a skillet until golden brown
With just one sandwich, you can easily get around 500-600 nutritious calories before bed – making this a great option for weight gain. Just be sure to keep track of your overall calorie intake and don’t go overboard!
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to consider what you eat before bed during the day if your goal is to gain weight. Incorporating these nutrient-rich, high-calorie snacks and meals into your diet can help you reach your weight gain goals while providing your body with essential nutrients.
In addition to these 10 food items, be sure to drink plenty of fluids, reduce stress levels, and get adequate sleep. Eating and gaining weight in a healthy way takes time and energy as well as a plan in place. Be patient with yourself and stick to the plan for the best results.
Time to go Pump some Iron!
