While gaining weight may be generally considered easier than losing it, it can still be a challenge for some people to put on pounds, especially when they want to do it quickly. A host of products swarm the shelves of drug stores and other retailers, each promising to help you craft your ideal physique quickly and effortlessly; few of these products achieve the promised results.

Some options can be quite effective, however, when properly integrated into a balanced diet. Nutritional shakes, sometimes called meal replacement shakes, can be one such option, depending on what kind you purchase and how you use them. Read on as the specialists at ENU explain how women can use nutritional shakes to gain weight in as little as 10 days.

How Does Weight Gain Work?

There are a variety of factors that affect a person’s weight and metabolism, including genetics, diet, hormones, stress, and many others. However, the fundamental truth about body weight is universal: if you take in more food than your body needs, you gain weight.

The easiest way to measure this is by counting calories. If your body burns 1,800 calories per day and you consistently consume 2,000, you will slowly gain weight over time. Because one pound of body fat equals about 3,500 calories, you’ll need to seriously boost your caloric intake to gain weight quickly. Remember that any calories you want to go toward more pounds has to be consumed in addition to whatever your body is naturally using.

Your level of activity and current weight are big factors in this; the heavier you are, the more calories your body will consume daily. This is especially true for those with significant muscle tissue, as muscle mass increases your calorie use more than fat. Of course, exercise of any kind will also burn calories, so take any physical activity into account when determining how many calories to eat.

How Much Weight Can I Gain in 10 Days?

The answer to this question depends entirely on the number of calories you consume over this time period, but the general consensus among health care professionals is that you should aim to gain no more than two pounds or so per week, which would translate to about three pounds over 10 days. Although two pounds doesn’t sound like much weight gain, the fact of the matter is that you would need to consume 7,000 extra calories over the course of the week in order to gain that much, a tough enough feat on its own. To aim higher would not be advised.

Not only do the amount of calories matter, however, but the quality of the calories is just as important. Eating lots of sugary snack foods is an easy way to add significant amounts of calories to your diet, but the resulting weight will be almost entirely unhealthy body fat that is sure to be counterproductive for your overall wellness.

Instead, try to use larger amounts of more wholesome foods that are dense in calories. For example, cooking with unsaturated, heart-healthy fats like olive or coconut oil can increase the amount of calories in your diet without doing the same damage as snack foods or sweets. Adding dietary supplements can also help, whether in the form of protein powder, meal bars, or nutrition shakes.

Meal Replacement Shakes and Weight Gain

One simple, convenient product that can help with weight gain is the meal replacement shake. These pre-packaged beverages contain a balanced mix of ingredients designed to offer a well-rounded nutritional profile without the rigorous planning and preparation that goes into healthy cooking. Of course, this is a generalization; not all nutrition shakes are created equal, and some are downright bad for you. Make sure to check the ingredients label to see what went into the shake you’re holding and how it might affect your diet.

The ideal meal replacement shake should have at least 300 calories and contain all three macronutrients – protein, fats, and carbohydrates – in the proper amounts and from healthful sources. Look for shakes that are high in protein as well (15 grams or more is considered a good amount) as protein is essential for muscle preservation and growth; whey protein is the most popular and arguably most effective form and is widely available in many forms. As mentioned above, unsaturated fats like olive, coconut, and sunflower oils are among the best options for fats, while complex carbs derived from whole grains can offer fiber, protein, and extended energy.

ENU Meal Replacement Shakes Offer Healthy Calories and Balanced Nutrition

Finding foods and drinks you can add to your diet without hurting your overall health can be tricky, but ENU has your back. With 20 grams of protein from whey and soy, a blend of coconut and sunflower oils, carbs from sources like brown rice and quinoa, and a mix of more than 20 vitamins and minerals, ENU nutrition shakes can bring 400 calories of balanced nutrition to your routine; just grab one on your way to work or as a snack at home for a healthy meal on the go. For more information or to see all our products, call us today at (855) 266-6733 or visit us online.