Should I Be Eating More Calorie Dense Foods?

sskyed

New here! I’m 21 y/o female and i’ve had a relatively fast metabolism my whole life until covid. staying at home and dramatically decreasing whatever physical activity (i.e. walking to class) made me gain some unwanted weight. i want to feel healthy again! i’ve been going to the gym 2-3 times a week for a few months now but not feeling any different (physically or mentally). after using this app for a couple days, i see that i might not be eating enough calories? (i am eating when i am hungry, definitely not restricting!) would it makes sense that maybe my body is preserving what “little” it is getting, and that’s why im not feeling a difference from my working out? should i be looking into eating calorie dense foods? with that + continuing exercise, would that be a solution to lose a few pounds in a healthy way? i appreciate any feedback! TIA!

lynn_glenmont

Your body can not create energy or do work (walk, stand, open a jar, do a work out) without expending calories, so no, your body isn't "preserving" what little it is getting, except in the sense that if you're in a steep deficit for a long enough time it will cut back on the energy it spends on your immune system, growing hair and nails, growing and repairing skin, building and maintaining muscle (including your heart).

Are you trying to lose weight? Are you trying to be in a calorie deficit? Have you lost any weight during these few months you've going to the gym and eating when you're hungry (regardless of whether you are trying to do so)?

If you're not trying to lose weight, and want to build muscle, eating more calorie-dense food and more protein might be a good idea. But we really need more information than you've provided.

Dvdgzz

sskyed, more calories in is not the solution. Are you weighing your food in grams in an attempt to be in a calorie deficit? If you're not losing over several weeks, you are definitely eating at maintenance level. Eat less, move more, or do a little of both.