If you are lifting weights, and doing it with any amount of seriousness, eat everything in sight. That’s how you gain weight. And lift heavy – really heavy!
I was working out for years without any significant gains. I too was of the mindset that a weight gain powder would be my only way to grow. Then I was talked into trying the hardly revolutionary idea of eating anything and everything. It worked. I gained a lot of fat, but even more muscle. The idea that you can gain muscle and lose fat at the same time is absurd.
The only real rule is to keep your protein up (about 1 gram per lb. of bodyweight daily) and drink a lot of water. Supplementdirect.com has really good prices on unflavored whey protein. Two tips: eat a ton within two hours after lifting weights and don’t get too lazy with your cardio. After you are done gaining weight, you will want to lose fat to see all those cool muscles you grew. Keeping up your cardio while bulking – while it won’t keep you super lean – will make it easier to lose fat later.
Some cheap foods I recommend:
Tuna, peanut butter, eggs, spaghetti with half a cow in the sauce, protein powder, rice, frozen chicken breasts bought in bulk (with lemon – yum!)…just eat it all and drop the idea that supplements will work magic.
Don’t fear fat, worship protein, and temporarily embrace carbohydrates.
But then you should throw this whole post out the window if you aren’t working out.