An athlete who is trying to gain weight should consume how many additional calories per day?

For an athlete trying to gain weight, consuming an additional 500 calories per day is generally recommended. This caloric surplus facilitates gradual weight gain, which is important for athletes looking to increase muscle mass and improve performance without accumulating excess body fat quickly. A surplus of about 500 calories typically leads to a weight gain of approximately one pound per week, a rate that is considered sustainable and healthy for most individuals.

Moreover, this approach aligns with the common advice provided by sports nutritionists and dietitians, who emphasize the importance of balancing calorie intake with energy expenditure to promote healthy weight gain. A smaller surplus, like 250 calories, may not contribute significantly to noticeable weight gain, while larger increases, such as 750 or 1000 calories, could lead to excessive fat accumulation and are often not practical for most athletes to manage in terms of nutrition and overall health.