6 Surprising Things That Cause Weight Gain

Nikole Stewart |

Updated: Jan 28, 2025

Food Things That Cause Weight Gain Unsplash — Credit: Unsplash

Gaining weight is shocking. But understanding why and how you gain weight can be empowering on your fitness journey. Discover a few surprising things that cause weight gain. And learn tips for avoiding them to become slimmer and trimmer.

We all know that if you eat cheese like there’s no tomorrow and spend every evening on the couch watching TV, you’re going to gain weight. Gaining and losing weight depends on how much you move and how much you eat – it’s a mathematical equation that we all know. But there are sneaky factors that heavily influence how much you eat and move – along with your nutritional intake and metabolism.

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1. Lack of Vitamin D

Vitamin D Things That Cause Weight Gain Unsplash — Credit: Unsplash

It’s vital to check Vitamin D intake if you want to trim up, as Vitamin D deficiency may cause obesity. This crucial vitamin is naturally provided by sunshine and dairy products like milk or yogurt. If your life is lacking either, you might want to consider popping a daily multivitamin.

2. Food Porn

Do you love to drool over online images of decadent desserts? Do you have a Pinterest board dedicated to high-calorie cuisine? Is the Food Network your go-to channel? A new study shows that people who use recipes from TV shows and social media sources tend to weigh more.

3. Your Happy Relationship

Relationship Things That Cause Weight Gain Unsplash — Credit: Unsplash

Are you in a happy relationship? People in happy marriages and other committed relationships often gain weight over time. With no impetus to attract a new mate, many coupled-up people stop paying attention to healthy eating and exercise.

4. Processed Fitness Foods

Processed Things That Cause Weight Gain Unsplash — Credit: Unsplash

If you rely on energy bars, protein shakes, and other foods associated with fitness and/or weight loss, you could be sabotaging your health goals. Consuming a product branded as “fit” may cause overeating as you perceive it as healthier and lower in calories. Tips for combating this phenomenon include eating whole foods instead of branded processed “fitness” foods.

5. Your Friends

Friends Things That Cause Weight Gain Unsplash — Credit: Unsplash

The people you hang out with regularly can greatly affect how much you exercise and what you eat. Our immediate social groups create norms for behavior and body type. If your girlfriends always get together over pizza or your co-workers hit the food trucks every day for lunch, it will be really hard to go against the crowd with healthier choices.

You don’t have to ditch your friends – just make some new ones who prioritize a healthy lifestyle. They’ll inspire you to do the same.

6. Warehouse Stores

Bulk Things That Cause Weight Gain Unsplash — Credit: Unsplash

Buying in bulk at warehouse stores like Sam’s Club and Costco can be a great way to save money. But you also may end up buying more than you need, and then eating it later so that it doesn’t go to waste. Plus, you’re probably not buying apples and kale in bulk. If you can’t quit the warehouse shopping, at least stash your haul in hard-to-reach places, like high pantry shelves or at the back of cabinets.