Myth vs. Fact: Gain Weight with Junk Food?

MYTH VS. FACT

Myth:  “I need to gain weight for my sport so I should eat as much fast food and dessert as I can.”

Fact:  Gaining weight can be an added benefit for athletes that participate in sports where strength and size are important. However, we want to make sure that athletes are gaining lean muscle mass and not fat mass. Thus, it is important for an athlete to increase healthy calories from dense whole grain carbohydrates, lean protein and healthy fats such as peanut butter, nuts/seeds, avocado, olive oil, fatty fishes. Liquid calories like low-fat chocolate milk, high calorie shake powders and smoothies can also help with nutrient-rich calories.
–Amy Goodson

amy-goodson-quarterback-ranchAmy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD is a registered dietitian for Ben Hogan Sports Medicine and serves as the sports dietitian for the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, FC Soccer Dallas, Jim McClean Golf School, Texas Christian University Athletics, and University of Texas at Arlington Athletics. In addition, she is an adjunct professor and dietetic intern preceptor for Texas Woman’s University, Texas Christian University and the University of Texas at Arlington and is a state media representative for the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. . She received her Bachelor of Science degree in speech communications from Texas Christian University and Masters in Exercise and Sports Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University.