Although the risks of being underweight don't get the same press attention that's attached to being overweight or obese, a low body weight can negatively affect your immunity and fertility, and may slow your rate of recovery after illness.
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You must consume several servings of vegetables daily to meet the nutritional recommendations for a healthy diet. One way to prepare and serve fresh vegetables is through roasting, a method of dry-heat cooking that allows you to cook the vegetables without added fat.
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Toned, shapely thighs and buttocks not only fill out a pair of jeans, they'll help you run faster, jump higher and generally be more physically fit. No single food offers the magic bullet for healthy weight gain, though.
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When you hear about low-carb, you're often told more about the foods you're not allowed to eat -- like grains, potatoes and sweets -- than the ones you are allowed. But eating low-carb doesn't mean deprivation, and you can enjoy a wealth of foods even on a more restrictive low-carb diet.
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Fish not only incorporate variety into your diet, but they also benefit your heart. The Harvard School of Public Health notes that eating 6 ounces of fatty fish each week lowers your heart disease risk by more than one-third.
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No single food -- or pair of foods -- has the power to add or subtract pounds from your frame. Weight control is all about your overall activity level and the number of calories you eat, not simply whether you include chicken and broccoli in your diet.
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Though you might think of it as a childhood "junk" food, chocolate milk can actually fit into an active, healthy lifestyle. It's higher in calories than plain milks, giving it a nutritional advantage when you're trying to gain weight.
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Dietary guidelines developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, recommend making grains a daily part of your diet. Eating two ounces of either multigrain or rye bread boosts your grain intake, so that you can reach the recommended daily intake of 7 ounces for men and 6 for women.
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Dairy products make up an important part of a healthy diet, and dietary guidelines released by the United States Department of Agriculture recommend consuming 3 cups of them daily.
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Ahi tuna -- an alternate name for yellowfin tuna -- is often used in raw fish dishes in Asian cuisines, and it's also one of the most common types of tuna used for canning. While it serves as a great source of several nutrients you need for good health, it's also slightly higher in mercury than other types of tuna.
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Gaining a few pounds when you're underweight benefits your health -- a lower-than-healthy body weight can make it hard to recover from illness, affect fertility and pregnancy. and cause complications if you need to undergo surgery.
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Gaining weight requires eating more calories than your body needs each day, so the extra energy helps you add bulk to your frame. But if you're already very active and trying to gain weight, it can be hard to get all the calories you need from solid food without feeling too full.
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Sorghum grain make up one of the major grain crops in the United States, reports Purdue University, and works well as a food for humans and livestock. Because it's gluten-free, sorghum grains offer a safe alternative to wheat if you follow a gluten-free diet.
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When it comes to fruits and veggies, generally the brighter the color, the more nutritious. However, white mushrooms break the rules, and these relatively dull and colorless veggies come packed with nutrition.
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Beans might have a reputation as "the magical fruit" for less-than-savory reasons, but they're actually a nourishing addition to your healthy diet. Beans come loaded with essential minerals like magnesium and potassium, as well as vitamins like folate.
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Bananas contain nothing that will make you gain weight, but eating any food in excess can trigger weight gain if you consume more than your daily calorie needs. If you enjoy bananas, eat them as part of a weight-gain strategy to help you add mass.
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Good for drinking on its own or for use in baking, buttermilk has a tart flavor and comes packed with essential nutrients. When you're shopping for buttermilk, follow U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines and opt for reduced-fat or fat-free buttermilk instead of the full-fat version.
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Dietary guidelines released by the USDA recommend that you make grains a part of your diet, and both rice and bread contribute to your daily intake. A cup of cooked rice, or 2 ounces of bread -- the approximate equivalent of 2 slices -- boost your grain intake by 2 ounces.
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With its nutty flavor and firm texture, tempeh -- made from fermented soybeans that have been pressed into blocks -- works well in a variety of dishes.
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Spaghetti is the ultimate comfort food -- it's rich, carb-heavy and easy to prepare. You can get a nostalgia-tinged classic on the table in less than half an hour. Eating spaghetti isn't necessarily the best for weight loss, especially if you cook your noodles until they're very tender.
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