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Nutrition, Fasting & Detox

How to gain weight

How to gain weight: Professor Akim Bouterra's advice, complemented by what the research says (weight, fenugreek), the precautions to know, and our resources to go further.

Above all, the key will be to maintain good lifestyle habits. Indeed, gaining weight should not simply mean growing physically bigger, but also taking care of one's health. It will therefore be important to preserve balance in both quality and quantity.

Eating well is essential. Favoring energy-dense foods, and eating fatty fish, starchy foods, sweet potatoes, or dried fruits combined with honey and fenugreek, will all help with weight gain. Avocado, grapes, banana, and olives should not be overlooked either.

Furthermore, to promote muscle development, one should favor protein intake, particularly from meat, fish, eggs, or seafood.

Dairy products should also be part of the diet, though they should not be overdone.

In addition, exercising will be important for building muscle mass, and walking is an excellent activity.

But also, the first thing our predecessors did to promote weight gain was to consume fenugreek. Indeed, it is known to stimulate the appetite, whether for men or women, but it is also effective for strengthening the body and fighting depression and stress, which are sometimes associated with weight loss. Fenugreek can be taken in capsule form.

Ginger, too, stimulates the appetite, but it is also frequently mentioned in the Qur'an and the Sunnah for its many benefits. Indeed, it is effective in promoting digestion.

Moreover, it will be important to consume plants containing powerful active compounds, such as oregano or gentian.

Honey will also be a good ally for weight gain; dietary supplements can also help with omega-3 and omega-6 intake; or one can eat fruit preserves or peanut butter. As for bread, whole grain bread should be favored.

In conclusion, gaining weight can prove necessary, however, the key will be to preserve good health, so it will not be a matter of rushing toward foods that are bad for one's health.

What the science says: weight, fenugreek (helba)

What published research says about the remedies mentioned above, for the sake of context — the studies address material causes, while healing belongs to Allah.

Weight

The Mediterranean diet (olive oil, vegetables, legumes, fish, few processed foods) is among the most effective and sustainable for weight according to network meta-analyses (Clin Nutr ESPEN, 2024) (BMJ, 2020); intermittent fasting also contributes to it (BMJ, 2025). The hadith of "a third for food, a third for drink, a third for air" remains the best rule. Precaution: be wary of "fat burners" and very restrictive diets; unexplained weight loss should be investigated.

Fenugreek (helba)

Fenugreek, very present in tradition, lowers blood sugar according to meta-analyses (Medicina, 2023) (Avicenna J Phytomed, 2025) and is among the galactagogues (lactation stimulants) evaluated by the Cochrane review (Cochrane, 2020). Precaution: blood sugar-lowering — monitor glucose levels when on antidiabetic treatment; not recommended during pregnancy (effect on the uterus), allowed during breastfeeding in moderate doses.

This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace medical advice or personalized care.

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