I am really skinny, and I try to eat foods with a high calorie content to gain weight, but it just doesn't work. People make fun of me and call me anorexic, but I really do eat! Can you help me?
— Anonymous
A high protein diet is useful for gaining weight. Examples of foods rich in protein are soy products, poultry, red meat, fish, and nuts. Eating more carbohydrates will also help you to gain weight, as your body converts these to fat. You want to avoid a lot of protein powders or additives that you sometimes see advertised and that can be purchased at some health-food stores, because you don't know what else is contained in these powders, and it's important for you to get the calories and nutrition you need from real foods, not supplements. Talk to your doctor, or see if there's a nutritionist at your school or at the local Y who might also be able to give you some advice on ways to get more calories in a healthy way.
As for being teased, certain people have very high metabolisms and no genetic predisposition to gain weight — you don't need to feel bad about this. As long as you eat enough nutritious food and your body's needs are being met, you shouldn't have to explain yourself to anyone. It's tough to be different, I know, but in 10 years, you'll probably be pretty thankful for your high metabolism.
— Kate Forest, MSW
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