2500 calories - how?

24

Replies

  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,731 Member
    Drinking calories is a very good solution. Juices can be pretty high calorie, and smoothies with whole bananas and nut butter along with some protein powder can be very nutritious and calorie dense. Drink milk between meals, and try drinking cups of non-chunky soups, like tomato or butternut squash or anything smooth/creamy, with your meals instead of water, tea or soda.

    Also, try some nut/seed butters other than peanut. Almond contains a lot of good fats, sesame tahini is a little higher in calories, and sunflower seed butter is amazing. They all have a distinct flavor profile...put some on bread with a little honey and cinnamon for extra taste and calories.

    Adding cheese and/or olive oil to everything that pairs well with it is also a good calorie booster.
  • ForecasterJason
    ForecasterJason Posts: 2,577 Member
    edited November 2014
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    I can understand your struggles. The bulk of my diet is made up of whole wheat foods, potatoes, fruit, cheese, yogurt, nuts, along with some foods that are not so healthy. For me, I think it's the fiber content of my diet that makes it hard sometimes for me to reach my calorie goal for slow bulking. But at the same time, given that I'm already eating some empty calories regularly, I don't want to significantly reduce the overall quality of my diet. But I have to admit that it is really easy to get in additional calories by eating cookies, cakes, and chips.

    define "empty calories" ..do they not count or something???
    By "empty", I mean foods that provide little nutritional benefits (other than simply calories).

    But, if the issue is not consuming enough cals, not nutrient deficiencies, what is the problem with "empty cals"?
    As long as one is at least getting in some nutritious food, I don't see any problem with eating some junk food while bulking.

    So why are you having a hard time reaching your slow bulking cals? Did I miss something?
    A lot of the healthy foods I eat (like whole grains, dairy, nuts) are either high fiber or high fat, which are pretty satiating. Also, my digestive system is a bit more sensitive than normal, and I can't drink much milk and probably can't do regular protein shakes (though I do eat cheese and yogurt). I don't really need fruit juice with the fruit I'm eating. Some days I do reach my target though.
  • ThePhoenixIsRising
    ThePhoenixIsRising Posts: 781 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    I can understand your struggles. The bulk of my diet is made up of whole wheat foods, potatoes, fruit, cheese, yogurt, nuts, along with some foods that are not so healthy. For me, I think it's the fiber content of my diet that makes it hard sometimes for me to reach my calorie goal for slow bulking. But at the same time, given that I'm already eating some empty calories regularly, I don't want to significantly reduce the overall quality of my diet. But I have to admit that it is really easy to get in additional calories by eating cookies, cakes, and chips.

    define "empty calories" ..do they not count or something???
    By "empty", I mean foods that provide little nutritional benefits (other than simply calories).

    But, if the issue is not consuming enough cals, not nutrient deficiencies, what is the problem with "empty cals"?
    As long as one is at least getting in some nutritious food, I don't see any problem with eating some junk food while bulking.

    So why are you having a hard time reaching your slow bulking cals? Did I miss something?
    A lot of the healthy foods I eat (like whole grains, dairy, nuts) are either high fiber or high fat, which are pretty satiating. Also, my digestive system is a bit more sensitive than normal, and I can't drink much milk and probably can't do regular protein shakes (though I do eat cheese and yogurt). I don't really need fruit juice with the fruit I'm eating.

    So how much extra do you need in a day? You don't need the nutrients of the fruit juice, but if it is the most comfortable way for you to hit your cal needs, why avoid them?
  • ForecasterJason
    ForecasterJason Posts: 2,577 Member
    edited November 2014
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    I can understand your struggles. The bulk of my diet is made up of whole wheat foods, potatoes, fruit, cheese, yogurt, nuts, along with some foods that are not so healthy. For me, I think it's the fiber content of my diet that makes it hard sometimes for me to reach my calorie goal for slow bulking. But at the same time, given that I'm already eating some empty calories regularly, I don't want to significantly reduce the overall quality of my diet. But I have to admit that it is really easy to get in additional calories by eating cookies, cakes, and chips.

    define "empty calories" ..do they not count or something???
    By "empty", I mean foods that provide little nutritional benefits (other than simply calories).

    But, if the issue is not consuming enough cals, not nutrient deficiencies, what is the problem with "empty cals"?
    As long as one is at least getting in some nutritious food, I don't see any problem with eating some junk food while bulking.

    So why are you having a hard time reaching your slow bulking cals? Did I miss something?
    A lot of the healthy foods I eat (like whole grains, dairy, nuts) are either high fiber or high fat, which are pretty satiating. Also, my digestive system is a bit more sensitive than normal, and I can't drink much milk and probably can't do regular protein shakes (though I do eat cheese and yogurt). I don't really need fruit juice with the fruit I'm eating.

    So how much extra do you need in a day? You don't need the nutrients of the fruit juice, but if it is the most comfortable way for you to hit your cal needs, why avoid them?
    I've bounced around with the rate at which I want to bulk, but right now I'm looking to do one pound a month, which I believe should be around a 125 calorie surplus. Most days now I'm eating at least that amount if not more than I was before I started training. But even though my workout volume is not that high, it seems as if my maintenance calories shot up by more than that. So, I'm having some difficulty just trying to figure out what my maintenance really is (whether it's closer to 2125, 2150, 2175, or 2200).

    As for the fruit juice, I think my digestive tract is already running along very fast, so I don't really want to add additional fiber or anything that would make me more "regular".

  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,731 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    I can understand your struggles. The bulk of my diet is made up of whole wheat foods, potatoes, fruit, cheese, yogurt, nuts, along with some foods that are not so healthy. For me, I think it's the fiber content of my diet that makes it hard sometimes for me to reach my calorie goal for slow bulking. But at the same time, given that I'm already eating some empty calories regularly, I don't want to significantly reduce the overall quality of my diet. But I have to admit that it is really easy to get in additional calories by eating cookies, cakes, and chips.

    define "empty calories" ..do they not count or something???
    By "empty", I mean foods that provide little nutritional benefits (other than simply calories).

    But, if the issue is not consuming enough cals, not nutrient deficiencies, what is the problem with "empty cals"?
    As long as one is at least getting in some nutritious food, I don't see any problem with eating some junk food while bulking.

    So why are you having a hard time reaching your slow bulking cals? Did I miss something?
    A lot of the healthy foods I eat (like whole grains, dairy, nuts) are either high fiber or high fat, which are pretty satiating. Also, my digestive system is a bit more sensitive than normal, and I can't drink much milk and probably can't do regular protein shakes (though I do eat cheese and yogurt). I don't really need fruit juice with the fruit I'm eating. Some days I do reach my target though.


    You don't have to use milk for protein shakes. Almond, rice, soy or hemp milk works just as well. Also, water, although that isn't as tasty.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    I had 2500 for after dinner dinner last night. HTFU
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  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,731 Member
    chrisdavey wrote: »
    I had 2500 for after dinner dinner last night. HTFU

    I'm sure that the OP finds comments like this to be very helpful and motivating! Thank you for your contribution! >:)
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    edited November 2014
    Ate over 2400 calories today, that's eating at Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney and Disney Quest. :wink:

    ETA: Today's rest day.

    Just eat higher calorie foods, like: peanutbutter, nuts, glass of milk, ice cream and ice cream.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    chrisdavey wrote: »
    I had 2500 for after dinner dinner last night. HTFU

    I'm sure that the OP finds comments like this to be very helpful and motivating! Thank you for your contribution! >:)

    No probs. Have a good day :)
  • Throw in a few glasses of orange juice, some extra chicken, cheese, peanut butter, etc. Higher calorie options will get you there.
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    If you think your maintenance is somewhere around 2150, why are you trying to eat 2500 if you want to only gain 1lb a month? 2lbs a month might be easier to gauge results with though, btw. I mean, for your goal, 2300 would possibly be enough, maybe 2350, for a suuuper slow bulk.

    Also you're just shooting down everyone's recommendations for how to increase calories. Has nothing to do with getting fiber or vitamins etc. These recommendations are made because they are low volume, high calorie items that can help someone reach a calorie goal if satiety is already setting in.

    Eat two of these a day
    SGB-single-GDS1.jpg

    Trust me, they are high calorie, non-filling, and you'll want the whole box. You could probably eat the whole box to meet more than half of your day's calorie needs and be hungry within a few hours.
  • ForecasterJason
    ForecasterJason Posts: 2,577 Member
    ana3067 wrote: »
    If you think your maintenance is somewhere around 2150, why are you trying to eat 2500 if you want to only gain 1lb a month? 2lbs a month might be easier to gauge results with though, btw. I mean, for your goal, 2300 would possibly be enough, maybe 2350, for a suuuper slow bulk.

    Also you're just shooting down everyone's recommendations for how to increase calories. Has nothing to do with getting fiber or vitamins etc. These recommendations are made because they are low volume, high calorie items that can help someone reach a calorie goal if satiety is already setting in.

    Eat two of these a day
    SGB-single-GDS1.jpg

    Trust me, they are high calorie, non-filling, and you'll want the whole box. You could probably eat the whole box to meet more than half of your day's calorie needs and be hungry within a few hours.
    I'm actually aiming for about 2250-2300, but my point was that with the foods I'm eating it's not always easy to reach my target.

    What I meant was that high fiber foods do tend to be filling. I wasn't suggesting that the OP increase intake of satiating foods, but at the same time I personally wouldn't recommend adding tons of junk food without a fair amount of nutritious food as well (unless health is not much of a concern). I do agree though that sweets and other foods low in nutrients can definitely help in getting in more calories (as I've found).

  • ForecasterJason
    ForecasterJason Posts: 2,577 Member
    edited November 2014
    (Accidental double post)
  • johnnylakis
    johnnylakis Posts: 812 Member
    2 burgers from a local burger place will get you there
    like

  • SrJoben
    SrJoben Posts: 484 Member
    vladatwork wrote: »
    The day's almost over, I'm 1400 calories behind and if I so much as see another egg I'll barf.

    How do you pack in so many calories daily?

    Eat a little more every day this week than you did last week. Repeat.

    I used to think about 2500 was a lot of food. Now it's just average. I recently increased from 2900 to 3200 now THAT feels like a lot of food. My point is anything more than what you ate for the last few weeks feels like a lot of food.
  • csuhar
    csuhar Posts: 779 Member
    Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner using calorie-dense (or at least NON-diet / "lite" )foods, PLANNED snacks (planned as much as the meals are), and the occasional microwaveable / easy-prep calorie bomb worked for me. And I'm not joking about the calorie bomb. Back when I was looking at 3500-4000 calories a day, a microwave hamburger or frozen waffles were sometimes a late-night snack.
  • FrankNittyII
    FrankNittyII Posts: 5 Member
    The question that seems to be absent here is, "Are you trying to lose, maintain, or gain?" In either case, depending on your daily calorie intake. As long as you eat 65% of your daily calorie intake, your fine. So if your daily calorie intake is 2000 and you eat 1200 to 1400, your still within the safety net. But, you want to find foods that allow you to reach your Daily Calorie Intake goals.
  • Unknown
    edited November 2014
    This content has been removed.
  • PwrLftr82
    PwrLftr82 Posts: 945 Member
    ana3067 wrote: »
    If you think your maintenance is somewhere around 2150, why are you trying to eat 2500 if you want to only gain 1lb a month? 2lbs a month might be easier to gauge results with though, btw. I mean, for your goal, 2300 would possibly be enough, maybe 2350, for a suuuper slow bulk.

    Also you're just shooting down everyone's recommendations for how to increase calories. Has nothing to do with getting fiber or vitamins etc. These recommendations are made because they are low volume, high calorie items that can help someone reach a calorie goal if satiety is already setting in.

    Eat two of these a day
    SGB-single-GDS1.jpg

    Trust me, they are high calorie, non-filling, and you'll want the whole box. You could probably eat the whole box to meet more than half of your day's calorie needs and be hungry within a few hours.

    What are these and where do I find them? They need to get in my belly ASAP!
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    , but my point was that with the foods I'm eating it's not always easy to reach my target.


    easy solution- change what foods you are eating.

    this is not rocket science.

    As long as you eat 65% of your daily calorie intake, your fine.

    You must be new at bulking.
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    Fried chicken and waffles, easy
  • This content has been removed.
  • PwrLftr82
    PwrLftr82 Posts: 945 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    PwrLftr82 wrote: »
    ana3067 wrote: »
    If you think your maintenance is somewhere around 2150, why are you trying to eat 2500 if you want to only gain 1lb a month? 2lbs a month might be easier to gauge results with though, btw. I mean, for your goal, 2300 would possibly be enough, maybe 2350, for a suuuper slow bulk.

    Also you're just shooting down everyone's recommendations for how to increase calories. Has nothing to do with getting fiber or vitamins etc. These recommendations are made because they are low volume, high calorie items that can help someone reach a calorie goal if satiety is already setting in.

    Eat two of these a day
    SGB-single-GDS1.jpg

    Trust me, they are high calorie, non-filling, and you'll want the whole box. You could probably eat the whole box to meet more than half of your day's calorie needs and be hungry within a few hours.

    What are these and where do I find them? They need to get in my belly ASAP!
    Looks like pecans encased in caramel with chocolate. Looks heavenly.
    Fried chicken and waffles, easy
    Probably the first and last time I agree with you.

    Found them: http://www.purdys.com/Sweet-Georgia-Browns-P293C17.aspx?hp=sr_sgb

    Only 8 in a box? I want a box of 800. Now, that's a meal!
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    PwrLftr82 wrote: »
    ana3067 wrote: »
    If you think your maintenance is somewhere around 2150, why are you trying to eat 2500 if you want to only gain 1lb a month? 2lbs a month might be easier to gauge results with though, btw. I mean, for your goal, 2300 would possibly be enough, maybe 2350, for a suuuper slow bulk.

    Also you're just shooting down everyone's recommendations for how to increase calories. Has nothing to do with getting fiber or vitamins etc. These recommendations are made because they are low volume, high calorie items that can help someone reach a calorie goal if satiety is already setting in.

    Eat two of these a day
    SGB-single-GDS1.jpg

    Trust me, they are high calorie, non-filling, and you'll want the whole box. You could probably eat the whole box to meet more than half of your day's calorie needs and be hungry within a few hours.

    What are these and where do I find them? They need to get in my belly ASAP!
    Looks like pecans encased in caramel with chocolate. Looks heavenly.
    Fried chicken and waffles, easy
    Probably the first and last time I agree with you.

    :'(
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    img_6941_6018.JPEG
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    4e2d120b9b5278208c4ec9bfebcb162a.jpg
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    OP you can join our peanut butter jar eating competition too. That should get you more/extra calories!
  • xmichaelyx
    xmichaelyx Posts: 883 Member
    I love these posts and the Questions - a guy with only one post, and no profile makes a fake ID, asks a dumb Q - and it turns into a life debate for people. Cyber 'Timewasting" is an art . . . . . .

    I don't believe it's a random person with a fake ID; I believe MFP has their staff create fake questions in order to make the forums look more active than they actually are. That's why none of these 1-off questions ever contain the information needed to actually answer the question.

  • jayche
    jayche Posts: 1,128 Member
    McDonalds Chocolate Milkshake, one of those is like... 900 calories
This discussion has been closed.