High calorie ideas - yes, really.

hummus & tahini with pita bread, greek olives, feta & cucumbers makes for a nice lunch the oils in the hummus & tahini are high fat, i believe.

My DH asked the doctor this and I can't for the life of me remember what they said but I will find out and check back.  It's especially hard for him as he doesn't eat meat/fish.  I think it was things like eating eggs and using whole fat milk.  And yes, peanut butter and other nut butters factored into it.  The difficult part is eating heathily but still gaining weight because a lot of things you'd think of straight away are very unhealthy and bad for your cholesterol.

Have you considered doing weight gain powder?  DH has been using that as well.

Thanks everyone. He can afford to add a little junk to his diet. We're hardly saints but we do try! He is not very active - so that's not an issue. And we're home all day (he's a PhD student) so whatever is in the house will be available to me, too!

I've been thinking about those  weight gain drinks. Any recommendations on brands or where to get?

Try Holland and Barrett and talk to the people there.  They will have some good suggestions. 

I've been thinking about those  weight gain drinks. Any recommendations on brands or where to get

My bf is the EXACT same. He has huge issues with putting on weight. He's only 9 1/2 stone and 5'11. He started making shakes with the protein shake from Holland and Barrett called Body Fortress. It's a whey protein shake and he has it in vanilla. He says it's the best one he's ever had. A few weeks back it was on offer for an enormous container. Worth it for the benefits. Even if it doesn't put on the weight, at least he'll get more of the nutrition he's missing.

I would go with other nuts besides peanuts. Almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, they are all healthy and high in calories and fat.

How about olive oil on salad? Dark meat - chicken, turkey etc... is full of iron and other vitamins but more fat, so good for you. Yogurt full fat is good, but watch all that sugar in some of them. Museli? Granola? That's higher in fat, but really good for you - oh and dried fruit! High calories but again healthier than candy.

Peanut Butter Balls:
Mix together 1 cup dry milk, 1 cup oats, 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1/2 cup honey. Roll into balls. Easy peasy! And I don't even like peanut butter very much, but these are tasty.

Suggested variations: sub graham cracker crumbs for oats; add sunflower seeds, raisins, nuts, or chopped dates; roll balls in coconut or crushed nuts.

My husband drinks weight gain shakes with nuts and bananas in. He gets the weight gain powder from Holland & Barratt, but beware, it is sort of pricey.

Real strained thick greek yogurt is nice and fattening to, and delicious with honey.

Peanut Butter Balls:
Mix together 1 cup dry milk, 1 cup oats, 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1/2 cup honey. Roll into balls. Easy peasy! And I don't even like peanut butter very much, but these are tasty.

mmm, that sounds lovely!!

Okay, talked to DH last night.  He said eat a lot of ice cream.    No seriously, he said the weight gain powders, and for most people it's even easier because people who eat meat can take powder with creatinine, which supposedly works very well.  I'm sure the people in the health food store can give guidance as to which are good brands.

I haven't read all of the replies but last night, at 9 pm while my son was still up (terrible parent I know...anyway, I made Buffalo Wings for dinner and he was dipping carrot sticks into the hot sauce and the Blue Cheese sauce that I made. He loved it. So I thought about this thread...so my suggestion is Veggies with Full Fat dips...or even, CRISPS with dips. or pretzels...

Be very careful giving lots of rich, high fat foods to someone who isn't used to them. Speaking from personal experience, they can just wind up making that person ill and unable to keep food down - the opposite of what you are trying to achieve.

Better to snack more and spread food out in small portions. Don't give too much rich food in one sitting.

My SIL was on 3000 calorie supplement drinks for a while and it really did not help all that much TBH due to cost and taste.  She's always struggled with being "thin" and really the one thing that helped a lot was just being happier/less stressed in general. She now keeps weight on much better and only loses it when sick.  I know she takes walks on the moors which help her feel good and work up and appetite. Which at first seems counter intuitive, but working out/exercise helps the mental state.  She suggests lots of bread and starchy foods and healthy fats.  I hope G gets back on track soon.   

  I know she takes walks on the moors which help her feel good and work up and appetite. Which at first seems counter intuitive, but working out/exercise helps the mental state.     

I agree with this. I was underweight before I started exercising regulalry.

I agree with this. I was underweight before I started exercising regulalry.

Yes, my DH said to make sure to exercise as well.  In his opinion there's really not much point trying to take weight gain powders without exercise along with it.