Which of the following diets would BEST facilitate weight gain?

Increasing total calories is the most effective strategy for facilitating weight gain. When individuals aim to gain weight, they must consume more calories than their body expends. This caloric surplus enables the body to store excess energy, primarily in the form of fat and muscle, which contributes to overall weight gain.

A comprehensive approach to weight gain also considers the macronutrient composition of the diet, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. However, the primary factor remains ensuring that total calorie intake is higher than energy expenditure. This principle applies whether the individual is an athlete seeking to build muscle or someone trying to gain weight for health reasons.

In contrast, decreasing carbohydrate intake, increasing water intake, or decreasing total calories would not support weight gain and could potentially lead to weight loss or maintenance instead. Reducing carbohydrate intake might limit total caloric intake, while increasing water intake affects hydration rather than caloric intake. Decreasing total calories, on the other hand, directly counteracts the goal of weight gain by creating or widening a caloric deficit.