A good problem to have but HELP PLEASE!!

alyssamiller77

OK so I know this is probably going to annoy some people that I actually am asking this question, but I could really use some help. I'm waaay behind on calories today. I worked out this morning and have two soccer games this evening (total of 160 minutes). I also went a little nuts on the protein today having already consumed 162g of Protein with only 1096 total (gross) calories. After lunch I started looking at it and realized I really don't know how I am going to get anywhere near the 3,600+ calories I need to consume today just to break even without really throwing my other nutrients totally out of whack.

Now I'm ok with coming in as much as 500 calories under but that still puts me at 3100. So here's what I'm hoping you guys can provide and what I'm hoping to avoid. I know I screwed up, I did not plan my intake for today well at all. I know this so please do get too far down the path of scolding me for my poor choices thus far today. Can you please let me know, given my current situation (my diary is open to all), what you would do the rest of the day to try and get things as close to balanced as possible. I've loaded the estimated calories for the two games I have tonight to make viewing this all on my diary easier. I'd appreciate anyone that would be willing to take a look and offer suggestions on specific foods that you'd look at. I'm trying to avoid just hitting a fast food joint and slamming some huge nasty calories (althought obviously from everything but a sodium perspective I could afford it).

Thanks in advance ot anyone willing to help.

McKayMachina

A double-peanut butter and dark-chocolate sandwich.

GreatSetOfBrains

I keep yogurt on hand, not light yogurt, but YOGURT for when I need more calories, or I'll have a fruit smoothie (sugar yes, but none is added). I also do peanut butter . . .

infamousmk

I am no help. If I needed to consume 3100 calories for the day, I'd probably have a cheeseburger and fries and call it good.

soifua

honestly ... I wouldn't worry about it too much, UNLESS you know you'll get super hungry. BUT a peanut butter sandwich with a banana would be super yummy

russelljclarke

I;m amazed you aren't starving! I'm sure you can put it right over a few days, so I wouldn't worry overmuch. In the short term however, if I have a big deficit I just stuff myself with low bulk/high calorie food like nuts. Over 70% dark chocolate is nother good one (believe it or not)

bethdris

2 servings of nuts would help! I've never had that many cals to eat LOL

Helenatrandom

I like the suggestion McKayMachina made with peanut butter, but I would spread it on an able and not bread. I never thought of having it with dark chocolate, but that does sound decadent. (Looks like you can afford some decadence today....)

AMIS456

Since you have a lot of carbs left as well, go for a pasta dish - especially since you will be running around! That will help fill you up and be a good bit of calories.

Visser1971

You don't HAVE to eat back your exercise calories :-) and higher on protein is not bad either, especially when you have done a lot of activity.

But that said, I can read, and you have asked a question - so I suggest a balanced dinner based on steamed veggies, lean meat and a small amount of starch. Tonight I had pork tenderloin stir fried with dried chili pepper flakes, snap peas and fresh mango! Serving with steamed broccoli, carrots and rice. The mango in the stir fry provides enough juice that you should not need more than a small touch of oil. That or something similar should keep you in balance.

And an apple and nectarine for dessert.

Cheers, Christy

pixiechick8321

Go for nuts! Good energy and high fat and calorie (but good ones)

Try 2 oz of almonds (360 calories)

Add a banana rolled in peanut butter and peanuts - freeze briefly to keep it all together (105+ 200+200ish = 500ish)

Smoothie with banana, peanut butter, whole milk, yogurt, peanuts

In other words - add nuts and fruit and high energy foods! Don't think it's a "sugar fat crap food" free for all - make sure you add healthy calories!

And now you know to plan a bit better next time ;-)

russelljclarke

That may be true, but only every now and again, or your body will go into starvation mode from the sustained deficit. For skeptics, see my blog

dlovesjimma

Whole avacado chopped up with a tomato and onion, throw a little balsamic vinaigrette on it.

Smoothie - spinach, one whole banana, a cup of non-fat milk or coconut milk, peanut butter, tablespoon of walnut or coconut oil, and some frozen fruit.

raevynn

I would go for the fruit, myself. A few heavier bits, like figs, or bananas, to fill in that gap.

One day of really low calories won't hurt you. But, you might find yourself with a seriously bad case of the munchies later, or tomorrow.

Maybe get some dark greens in there, too... like a fruit & greens smoothie. Think a couple of peaches, some frozen berries, and a handful of kale or spinach. Blend with enough water to get it to move in the carafe, and then chug that down! :drinker:

vzepol

Don't worry about it, it does not happen every day. Keep some sort of snack with you in case you bonk out. At least once a week I have the same issue.

blue4myeyes

I am no help. If I needed to consume 3100 calories for the day, I'd probably have a cheeseburger and fries and call it good.

LMAO! I was wondering if I was the only one thinking that.....haha

For real, though. When I need to add calories, I go peanut butter, adding olive oil to veggies (rather than fat free/cal free butter spray), nuts and avocado. I am also a big fan of a tomato, mozzarella, basil salad with olive oil and balsamic. Those generally get me where I need to be if I am low on calories -- but still allow me to feel I am making healthy choices.

Sarah0866

Pre-workout, I would eat slow-digesting crabs, like sweet potatoes, oats, or whole grains, to provide you with energy for your activity levels today. While you don't have to eat ALL your workout calories back, you also don't want to go drastically under, so after your workout, I would have fast-digesting carbs like fruits and yes, white bread. While I normally don't eat refined grains, they're the best for replenishing your muscle glycogen immediately post-workout as long as you don't go overboard with them.

I wouldnt eat too much fat before exercising, as it might make you feel sluggish or too full, but I would eat some with dinner, like olive oil, nuts, or avocado.

Don't stress today too much!! Not as big a deal as you may think as long as it's not the norm. Hope this helps

wolfchild59

I'd go for a decent sized bowl of pasta with a tomato based sauce. You'll get carbs for all the running you're gonna do at the games and won't overload on protein. Add asalad on the side with a light or no dressing for some veggies/fiber/slower digesting carbs and you should be good to go.

Jesung

Protein shake with milk is how I make up for my deficit on workout days.
Other good options are nuts and chocolate.

sillygoose1977

Beer. And lots of it.

duqtape

Chocolate milk. Some studies have shown its a great post-workout recovery drink. The sugar, fat, and carbs replenish you body with calcium and vitamins to help restore you stores. I drink it after runs. It's cheaper and tastier then recovery mixes. Other studies have shown the specific calcium in dairy can help open fat cells much better then other forms of nutrients or even calcium in other forms.

duqtape

Beer. And lots of it.

I also agree with this. It is Friday.

nat102

you could always spread these exercise calories out to tmw... when i was playing water polo tournys burning 5000 cal a day i couldn't eat it all in one day but the next day i would feel totally STARVED and eat extra cals then

alyssamiller77

Thanks for all the help and ideas guys. The only reason I'm really worried about getting close to that number is that I've hit goal and am trying to slowly turn my body toward maintenance mode. I'm also trying to be real careful about the sugars and such (although I do kind of buy into the idea that fruit sugars really aren't an enemy). I'll definitely hit the nuts and I hadn't thought about Chocolate Milk (that's actually one of my favorite recovery drinks too!!). Might even work in the regular chocolate idea as well and will definitely look through the dinner ideas and see what I can make work tonight.

I also admit I didn't really look back at all the numbers after I entered the calories for my games tonight. The added fats and protein (since it's based on percentage) make me feel a lot better now. They were looking at lot worse before I put those other exercise calories in.

And yeah I think 3600+ is probably the highest calorie goal I've had since I started on MFP. Each soccer game averages somewhere between 3-7 miles of running based on most estimates and I used the conservative numbers from MFP (there are two options) when I calculated. Like I said, ultimately a good problem to have.

Again I appreciate the ideas and help folks!!!

SoCalSwimmerDude

2 cups of brown rice, 1/2 cup of black beans, tablespoon of olive oil, and a few veggies. Thats easily a 6-700+ meal and all of it is good for you:)

alyssamiller77

Thanks again everyone, I ended up deciding to use yesterday as a splurge day. Still came in 600+ cal under and under on everything else except sodium and fat. The sodium I'm ok with as by body was apparently running deficient anyway (got some serious leg cramps just before the end of the second game) and the fats... well only my totals were over, I was under on saturated and a lot of the total was polys and monos from the cashews and stuff I had earlier. So i'm comfortable with that. Now what did I sell my soul to the devil to have on this day? Buffalo wings, one of my faves that I haven't had since June. .

So just wanted you all to know (in case anyone came back and looked), I wasn't ignoring your suggestions and I do value and appreciate your assistance. I just had a change of heart and decided I could be a little "naughty".

xarra

I'm under by ~500 today (even with ice cream and Nutella)... But then I slept for most of the day, and not sure shoving food into me just because has any point... No nuts in the house either...

Simomofmich

I;m amazed you aren't starving! I'm sure you can put it right over a few days, so I wouldn't worry overmuch. In the short term however, if I have a big deficit I just stuff myself with low bulk/high calorie food like nuts. Over 70% dark chocolate is nother good one (believe it or not)

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