Gaining weight in a healthy manner is a goal for many, whether for athletic performance or general well-being. While most people focus on eating protein-rich foods and hitting the gym to bulk up, Hong Kong-based ultra-athlete Mayank Vaid has a more unconventional approach that has caught the attention of many.
Vaid, known for his incredible endurance feats like swimming around Hong Kong Island twice and setting records in the extreme Arch to Arc Triathlon, has developed his own weight-gain strategy. While training for the 2019 Arch to Arc Triathlon, which involves swimming the English Channel, running from London to Paris, and cycling across France, Vaid needed to increase his body weight to sustain his energy levels during grueling events. His method? Eating ice cream and drinking a bottle of wine before bed.
“I know it sounds counter-intuitive,” Vaid admits. “You’re supposed to eat healthy, focus on protein, and hydrate well. But this trick has worked for me over and over again, helping me avoid injury and the loss of muscle or fat during intense training.”
Vaid, who also serves as the intellectual property director for Louis Vuitton in Asia-Pacific, emphasizes that his technique isn’t for everyone. His athletic body requires unique fuel to perform at the highest level, especially when training for events that burn up to 7,000 calories a day. The ice cream and wine help him add weight quickly while ensuring his body doesn’t lose too much muscle mass or fat.
While Vaid’s approach may seem odd, it underscores the importance of personalization in weight management, especially for athletes or individuals with specific fitness goals. Not all weight-gain methods work for everyone, and it’s crucial to listen to your body’s unique needs.
For those looking to gain weight in a healthier, more standard manner, dietitians from Hong Kong recommend a more balanced approach. Healthy weight gain typically involves consuming nutrient-dense, calorie-rich foods like nuts, seeds, avocados, lean proteins, and whole grains. They also suggest increasing meal frequency, ensuring meals include healthy fats, and pairing workouts with adequate protein intake to build muscle rather than just fat.
However, like Vaid, athletes often need specific strategies based on their unique demands. For example, endurance athletes may need to focus on high-calorie, easily digestible foods that provide energy without leading to gut discomfort during performance.
Whether you’re an ultra-athlete like Vaid or simply trying to gain weight for health reasons, the key is to find a method that supports your individual needs while ensuring overall health and performance are prioritized.
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