How to Gain Weight With Keto?

(Jason Stenack) #1

Hello,

New to Keto. I want to do keto and increase weight. I figure if I keep my calorie count high enough I can do it but have found that harder than I thought when working 14-18 hour days. I was 145 pounds when I started and after two weeks found myself at 138! Oops! I used an app, carb manager, and it said in order to gain 1/2 pound a week to eat about 2,500 calories a day. I had some long days at work where I missed my 2,500 calorie goal and it looks like I paid for it swiftly.

For someone who is 5’7" and (now) 138 pounds, what is a good strategy for me to climb my way up to something around 155 or 160 pounds? Should I not worry about doing strict keto and take in a few carbs or is there another method? Anybody know of any calorie shakes that are keto friendly? That may help.

Oh, and I have a history of struggling to gain weight and maintain it. I went from 115 pounds to 151 pounds once before after many months with a personal trainer and consuming about 5,000 - 6,000 calories a day. Unfortunately, it came with a small layer of fat since I wasn’t worried about “eating clean.”

What do you think is the best approach for me to gain a few pounds?

(VLC.MD) #2

EDIT.
Try Ketogains !

(KCKO, KCFO 🥥) #3

This thread on reddit might be informative for you.

I do hope that VLC.MD as kidding in his post. :thinking:

(Mike W.) #4

I hope you’re joking. I’m sure he wants to gain muscle not fat…

(Mike W.) #5

I would up your protein and fat.

(VLC.MD) #6

No I want wasn’t serious.
Ketogains could be a good idea.

(Jason Stenack) #7

Is there any limitation to the amount of protein or fat? I’m pretty sure fat is not an issue but I swear I read somewhere that too much protein can kick you out of ketosis. If I remember correctly, they said excess protein would be converted to sugar? Does that sound right?

(VLC.MD) #8

Yes.
/r/ketogains might provide you with more re how to gain muscle weight.

(Adam Kirby) #9

I am of the opinion that naturally thin people may not be able to gain weight on keto regardless of how much they eat. So either add carbs back in, or the long term and better strategy, focus on building muscle.

(steve ellis) #10

I too struggle with keeping enough weight on doing keto. I’m 63, 6’3 and as a trainer and health coach I’m very very active doing gymnastic, bodyweight, and HIT type training. I’ve been using macademia nuts and blending into a butter that I add to my meals and thats been helping but it’s definitely an issue. If anyone has more thoughts or hints I’d love the help too. At the age of 63 I’m concerned with too much protein as the science says it can activate mTor pathways and other pathways that increase risk of cancer which I am blueprinted to get. Would love thoughts from other forum members…thanks tons.

(Amy Arnold) #11

Hi, thanks for the post i will share this with my friend.

(Michael ) #12

I certainly don’t have this issue, my body loves to collect fat. But an easy way to get energy and calories is mct oil in beverages. You can of course use coconut oil but mct is a more efficient mechanism and doesn’t have the coconut taste

(steve ellis) #13

Thanks Michael, the more MCT I consume the more digestive trouble I have! I have definitely have an upper limit of about 1 oz per day. The more I look at this, attempting to eat in a shorter feeding window, keeping last meal 2-3 hours before bed, working out in a fasted state…many of the things which lead to speculative optimal aging, also flies in the face of putting on muscle mass. I’ll probably have to settle on a physique that is lighter but that feels great.

(Michael ) #14

What do you mean by digestive trouble? Too much fat gives me acid reflux and upset stomach but adding 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar to warm water levels out my ph and all is well

(steve ellis) #15

Basically, over a certain amount of MCT and I end up with diarrhea for at least two day. I also have tried the apple cider but no help.

(Michael ) #16

Hmmm…worth a Google. My remedies are constipation based

(steve ellis) #17

Thanks Michael, I will tweak this diet and get it dialed in.