With access only to a microwave and mini-fridge, what essentials should I be buying to gain weight?

FatnFitt

I'm underweight 5'9 and 119Lbs and in my current living situation I only have access to a mini-fridge and a microwave, so a lot of my money is being wasted on fast food and restaurants because I’m unsure what to buy at the supermarket with the appliances I currently have access to…What supermarket essentials should I buy to gain weight with just those two appliances at my disposal? Right now the only thing I have from the supermarket is a gallon of water and a jar of peanut butter….I cannot improvise and buy a hot plate, blender, or any other appliance, I can only make do with what I have for the moment….

JeromeBarry1

Start with peanut butter. Add various other nut butters if you want variety. Put real butter and greek yogurt in the little fridge. Eggs, too. Bread just needs shelf space. Buy canned meats in small containers so you can store those without freezing or refrigerating. Otherwise there's lots of canned foods you can heat in the microwave.

FatnFitt

JeromeBarry1 wrote: »

Start with peanut butter. Add various other nut butters if you want variety. Put real butter and greek yogurt in the little fridge. Eggs, too. Bread just needs shelf space. Buy canned meats in small containers so you can store those without freezing or refrigerating. Otherwise there's lots of canned foods you can heat in the microwave.

Ok, sounds good. The eggs, however might not work I have no way to cook them.

AnvilHead

FatnFitt wrote: »

JeromeBarry1 wrote: »

Start with peanut butter. Add various other nut butters if you want variety. Put real butter and greek yogurt in the little fridge. Eggs, too. Bread just needs shelf space. Buy canned meats in small containers so you can store those without freezing or refrigerating. Otherwise there's lots of canned foods you can heat in the microwave.

Ok, sounds good. The eggs, however might not work I have no way to cook them.

You said you have a microwave. I cook eggs in the microwave on a daily basis. Crack eggs into bowl, stir up, cover, put in microwave for about 1:30 (your time may vary). Done.

Alatariel75

Cheese is small. You can fit a lot of cheese in a mini-fridge. It's also good microwaved with eggs, so win-win. And.... it's cheese.

AnvilHead

Alatariel75 wrote: »

Cheese is small. You can fit a lot of cheese in a mini-fridge. It's also good microwaved with eggs, so win-win. And.... it's cheese.

Excellent call. Cheese is also calorie dense, great weight gaining food. Bonus points because it tastes awesome. We just bought some "steakhouse cheddar" which tastes like cheddar and grilled onions - mind-bogglingly delicious!

Cbean08

I had this situation for a while. I ended up grocery shopping multiple times a week to restock as needed. Or, you'll have to rely more on dry goods. It's up to you on that. These were my essentials.

Fridge
high fat meats - salami, pepperoni, sausage
full fat cheese
butter
mayo
vegetables

Other
burrito tortillas
canned tuna, chicken, salmon
canned soup (chunky variety is better for calories)
instant rice
instant oatmeal
canned beans
canned chili
potatoes
nuts
beef jerky
peanut butter
crackers
clif builder bars
granola
powdered milk
protein powder
apples, bananas, oranges
spices

Easy meals -
burrito tortilla, canned tuna, mayo, cheese, veggie, side of crackers and banana
microwave potato, topped with canned chili, cheese, butter and a vegetable
instant rice with butter, canned beans, chicken, cheese, veggie
instant oatmeal, protein powder, nuts, fruit

Okiludy

Eat as normal and drink lots of milk and maybe protein. Start with a liter and adjust to how much you gain and feel.

sytchequeen

AnvilHead wrote: »

We just bought some "steakhouse cheddar" which tastes like cheddar and grilled onions - mind-bogglingly delicious!

this is a Thing??? *runs to the search engine*

AnvilHead

sytchequeen wrote: »

AnvilHead wrote: »

We just bought some "steakhouse cheddar" which tastes like cheddar and grilled onions - mind-bogglingly delicious!

this is a Thing??? *runs to the search engine*

Found it in the service deli at Safeway. Made by Dietz & Watson. Unbelievably good.

[ETA:] It's actually called "Steakhouse Onion Cheddar".

stanmann571

IF you're trying to gain, there's nothing wrong with the Mcdonald's dollar menu.

THeADHDTurnip

You can do some overnight oats in a jar:

2/3 cup almond milk
3/4 oatmeal
1/2 cup of Greek yogurt
1 scoop of whey protein

Shake, fridge it and next morning it's a great pre workout snack.

Chieflrg

Peanut butter, ice cream, & pasteries are my goto.

richardgavel

Can u add a decent toaster oven?

French_Peasant

A lot of produce can sit out on the counter--avocados would be especially helpful for weight gaining. Fruit can be dipped into Nutella or assorted nut butters; veggies can be eaten raw with a balsamic vinaigrette on the counter or a bit of ranch dressing from the fridge.

Also, a quart of heavy cream will take up little space in the fridge and add a crap-ton of calories. Before I started tracking calories, I loved adding a significant amount of heavy cream to my oatmeal and tomato soup (both of which can be stored at room temp and then microwaved). OOPS. But for your situation it would be perfect. You can add raisins or dried blueberries or cranberries to the oatmeal for an even bigger calorie boost, and olive oil to the tomato soup.

Get a baguette or whatever bread you like and a bottle of decentish olive oil; crack some pepper and salt into the olive oil (and grated parmesan, too, if you have it) and dip the bread into the olive oil. All of this can be on the counter (the cheese you might want to buy in small quantities if you will be leaving it out). You can also do bread and jam--the jam can sit out if you are going through the jar quickly. Butter can sit out too, but again, go through it quickly.

FatnFitt

Wow, thank you all for the recommendations...keep 'em coming this is very insightful.

richardgavel wrote: »

Can u add a decent toaster oven?

I can't unfortunately.