Do you ever feel like gaining weight has become an unsolved puzzle? You keep finding that one missing piece, that mantra to gain weight. Impulsively, you hop onto an unhealthy diet, thinking it would help, but rather, it makes it much harder for you to gain weight.
What if I tell you that there is a superfood that has been considered to boost your overall health since ancient times?
Yes! That superfood is “Makhana,” which you can also call “foxnut.” These crunchy, nutrient-packed powerhouses have proven to be highly effective when included in daily diets.
So, you must be curious if makhana is good for weight gain or how to eat makhana for weight gain. Let’s uncover this for you.
The Growing Demand for Natural Weight Gain Solutions
Nowadays, everyone is running behind quick fixes and fad diets, whereas many people want to adopt healthier, natural alternatives for weight gain. With growing concerns over harmful food ingredients and bad calorie sources, there can be seen a drastic shift towards incorporating healthy foods into daily diets to gain weight.
Among many healthy options, makhana is a standout option. As the pursuit of effective weight gain strategies continues, many are turning to natural solutions like makhana to achieve their weight goals.
In fact, the market for fox nuts(makhana) was estimated to be worth USD 34.2 million in 2021 and is expected to expand at an astounding 11.5 percent compound annual growth rate.
But how do you eat makhana for weight gain? We will discuss this in the latter part of the blog, so keep reading to discover the amazing weight gain strategy for you.
How Makhana Aids in Weight Gain?
Makhana, or fox nuts/lotus seeds, is probably one of the oldest foods used in any Indian household. The nutrient-rich and easily incorporable nature of makhana into several dishes makes it not only a yummy snack but also a proficient weight gain supplement.
So, what is special about makhana for weight gain? Indeed, its unique nutritional profile forms the secret behind its effectiveness, which will be discussed below.
Rich in Healthy Fats
One of the most basic reasons makhana works so well for weight gain is its high content of healthy fats. While fats often get considered bad, healthy ones are an absolute necessity for weight gain, especially when you’re looking to put on mass healthily.
Makhana is low in saturated fats but high in monounsaturated fats, which promote cardiovascular health while providing the essential number of calories for weight gain. You must include some healthy fats into your diet to serve as a more concentrated energy source.
Protein-Packed Snack
Protein is considered the building block for muscles, and you need to consume good amounts of it when trying to put on weight. Makhana is surprisingly high in protein and is an ideal snack to add muscle mass.
Not only does the richness of protein in makhana increase weight, but it also helps repair and grow muscles. This becomes particularly useful for those who do strength training or any other workout that involves muscle development.
Carbohydrates for Energy
First of all, if one is going to talk about how to eat makhana for weight gain, then it must be realized that this also contains carbohydrates. As your body’s primary energy source, you should intake adequate carbohydrates to prevent weight gain.
Makhana will fuel your body and help store glycogen in your muscles, which is essential for bulking up. Besides, carbohydrates in Makhana provide energy to the body throughout the day, thus making one eat more and easily add on calories to enhance weight gain.
Ways to Incorporate Makhana into Your Diet
According to the study, with approximately 19.7% of men and 22.9% of women being underweight and 19.6% of men and 20.6% of women being overweight, the quest for effective weight gain solutions is more relevant than ever.
Given these statistics, finding nutritious and effective ways to achieve a healthy weight is essential.
That is why knowing how to eat makhana for weight gain is essential. Fortunately, makhana is a versatile food that can be added to your diet in many ways.
At Indyte, Dietician Priyanka helps you curate a plan that is best suited for you and provides you with multiple makhana recipes.
Here are some delicious and easy ways to add makhana to your everyday meals:
Roasted Makhana as a Snack
Roasting makhana is one of the easiest and most common ways to eat it. A tasty and crunchy snack that is perfect for any time of day is roasted makhana. With just a little ghee or olive oil, some salt, and spices, you can make a delicious, high-protein snack that can support your weight gain goal.
In addition to being very easy to prepare, this snack offers a nutritional substitute for typical high-calorie, low-nutrient snacks.
Makhana in Curries and Gravies
Makhana for weight gain can also be effectively incorporated into your diet by mixing it into gravies and curries. Makhana gives food an amazing texture and absorbs flavors effectively. Before adding makhana to your preferred curry or stew, you can sauté it with a few veggies and seasonings.
Makhana Desserts
People who love sweets might be wondering how to eat makhana to gain weight. Can combining it in desserts provide optimum results? Incorporating sweet dishes is the best way to get gain calories.
Makhana can be added to rich desserts such as kheers and puddings, complementing its flavor and raising its nutritional value. These are yummy and loaded with good fats, proteins, and carbohydrates that could help you gain weight.
So, try a makhana-based dessert the next time you feel like indulging in something sweet. It will feed your sweet tooth while also helping you lose weight.
Additional Benefits of Makhana Beyond Weight Gain
While makhana is highly effective for weight gain, this superfood offers many other health benefits that make it worth including in your diet, regardless of your weight goals.
Let’s discuss some of the additional advantages of consuming makhana.
Better Digestive Health
Makhana contains a great source of dietary fibre, which enhances good digestive health. If you want to gain weight, proper digestion is required to ensure that whatever you have eaten should be broken down and absorbed in the body.
The fibre in makhana ensures easy bowel movements and smoothens the digestive process without affecting the stomach, restraining issues such as constipation and promoting gut health.
Protects From Heart Disease
The healthy fats in makhana not only help with weight gain but also play a great role in cases of heart issues. Monounsaturated fats in makhana help reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol levels, thus making heart diseases negligible. This makes makhana a heart-friendly food that is easily consumed by those who are very conscious about their cardiovascular health.
Slows Down Ageing
Makhana is a rich source of antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body and, in turn, slow down the process of aging. Ayurveda says that if makhana is used regularly in a diet, youthful skin, and tightness can be maintained by minimizing wrinkles.
Controls Blood Sugar
Another great quality of makhana is that it regulates blood sugar levels. In essence, the low glycemic index ensures mitigation against sudden sugar rises in the blood; hence, there is no cause for blood sugar spikes.
This makes makhana a perfect snack for people with diabetes or anyone at risk for the disease. So, while you’re looking for ways to eat makhana for weight gain, you’d also support overall health.
How Much Makhana Should You Eat for Weight Gain?
Now that you know the benefits and various ways one can consume makhana, you might be wondering about the amount needed to gain effective weight.
Though there isn’t exactly a single answer, it usually is best to start by taking about 30-50 grams daily. This should be balanced with other nutrient-dense foods to ensure a rounded diet. Finally, consult dietician Priyanka to tailor your diet plan for weight gain incorporating makhana. She will help you approach your weight gain in a more structured way.
Conclusion
Incorporating makhana can help you add the required calories, proteins, and fats to bulk up without sacrificing your health. Remember that this ancient superfood is the natural solution you’ve been searching for.
Consult Dietician Priyanka at Indyte if you are still pondering whether makhana is good for weight gain.