Diet plays an important role in building up health for gaining weight in the natural remedy for weight loss. Nutrients which help keep the nerves relaxed are of extreme importance as nervousness causes all the muscles to become stressed and the energy which goes into the tenseness inefficiently uses up a great deal of food. Although all vitamins and minerals are required for a sound health, the most important ones are vitamin D and B6, calcium and magnesium. The richest sources of vitamin D are milk, cod liver oil and the rays of the sun. Calcium is also supplied by milk and yogurt. Magnesium can be obtained from green leafy vegetables such as spinach, radish, parsley, turnip, and beet tops.

Lack of appetite can result from an insufficient supply of vitamin B, which leads to low production of hydrochloric acid by the stomach. Hydrochloric acid is vital for the digestion of food and absorption of vitamins and minerals into the blood. It is, therefore, necessary that the daily diet should be rich in vitamin B for normal appetite. Foods rich in vitamin B are all whole grain cereals, soyabean, eggs, blackstrap molasses, nuts and butter. Vegetable oil is of unique value to those wishing to gain weight as it is rich in vitamin E and necessary fatty acids.

Underweight persons should eat frequent small meals as they tend to feel full quickly. Meals may be divided into six small ones instead of three big ones. These may consist of three smaller meals and three substantial snacks between them. The weight building quality of a food is measured by the number of calories it contains. To gain weight, the diet should comprise more calories than are used in daily activities so as to allow the surplus to be stored as body fat. Excessive intake of refined carbohydrates and fats may help the individual to put on weight but this will be disadvantageous to general health. Beverages containing caffeine like soft drinks, coffee and tea should be curtailed. Smoking should be given up. Water should not be taken with meals but half an hour before or one hour after meals.

An exclusive milk diet for rapid gain of weight has been advocated by some nature cure practitioners. In the commencement of this mode of treatment, the patient should fast for three days on warm water and like juice so as to cleanse the system. Subsequently, he should have a glass of milk every two hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. the first day, a glass every hour and half the next day, and a glass every hour the third day. Then the quantity of milk should be steadily increased so as to take a glass every half an hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The milk should be fresh and should be sipped very slowly through a straw. Figs are an exceptional food remedy for increasing weight in case of thinness.

Regular exercises like walking and dancing, yoga, meditation and massage are also imperative as they serve as relaxants, lessen anxiety and stimulate good sleep. Yoga asanas which will be especially helpful are sarvangasana, halasana and matsyasana. A balanced diet together with adequate exercise, rest, emotional balance and the absence of acute diseases will facilitate an underweight person to build a healthy body and to put on weight.