High calorie *healthy* snacks

o_delaisse

I'm really struggling to up my calories at the moment. Last night, I posted saying I was struggling to lose weight (though, as it happens, I lost a little last night!), and one thing I think can be easily agreed on is my food take is too low and I want to move past this.

I've had a bad time in the past with heavy restriction, which then lead to heavy binging and I need to keep fighting that (binging following restriction obviously lead to gaining, and I'd like to lose a little of what I gained). From people's advice last night (which I was very grateful for), plus what I already knew, I need to up my calories, however I don't have the appetite or the inclination to add another meal at the moment.

So, for now, what I think would work for me is keep doing what I'm doing, however add in a *healthy* high calorie snack. That way I won't feel I'm eating too much (that's important to me right now), and I won't feel sick (I am simply not hungry in the slightest).

Today, which isn't untypical, if I eat what I've planned I'll have eaten 818 calories and my net intake will be 282. Believe me, if I was proud of this and thought this was a job well done, I wouldn't be asking for advice. I understand that this is wrong, which is why I'm working on improving it. I'd like to get up to 1000 cals, then 1100, then 1200, then 1271 (which is what I should be eating to lose).

So, my question is: what are your favourite high calorie healthy snacks? I've thought about nuts, avocado, and trail mix (and I'm looking up other stuff on Google, I'm not being lazy and expecting someone else to give me the answers!). I thought also I could start cooking with olive oil again, as well.

alorick

Peanut butter and apples. 2 TBSP of peanut butter has about 180-200 calories in it. Healthy and delicious!

ltlemermaid

Like you stated in your post definitly start using extra virgin olive oil in your cooking-its a great and easy way to boos those calories up.

Here is a list of yummy good for you snacks/things to add to your food for more calories:

Natural Peanut butter (peanuts and salt-I like the trader Joes brand extra crunchy) and an apple

tuna salad made with avacado

No bake energy balls: rolled oats (oatmeal), peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips, flaxseed, dried cranberries-combos are endless

You can also use full fat foods: butter, milk, sour cream in your meals--in moderation these are great and will up your calorie intake and make food taste better-no fake chemicals

Add brown rice to your dishes

A handfull of nuts-I try to limit mine since I can eat an entire bag in one sitting of cashews, pistachios and almonds!

Feel free to add me as a friend if you want-good luck on your journey:)

mixedfeelings

I like a nice big banana! I tend to snack on fruit and high fibre crackers.

dirtbikegirl5

Peanut butter and apples. 2 TBSP of peanut butter has about 180-200 calories in it. Healthy and delicious!

I like almond butter with apples because I can't eat peanut butter, but I think that the nutritional information is about the same. I don't know about the difference in taste. I haven't had peanut butter in many, many years.

Yes, the avocado is good and healthy.

You could also have a protein bar of some sort. These are mostly in the 200 calorie range and provide good nutrtion, but yes they do have a lot of carbs. I like the gluten free lara bars, think thin bars. I have also had the clif bars and they are good, too.

poustotah

What about adding in a protein shake? I make mine with 2 scoops of protein, a bag of Jamba Juice smoothie mix and a cup of apple juice and it's about 470 calories. I know that sounds like a lot but it makes a great lunch.

kiki41

eat some cashews, walnuts, almonds. If you have peanut butter, try and make it natural to cut out sugar. Nonfat plain greek yogurt is a good snack, just put some jam to sweeten it or honey. Make turkey muffins, I love that I can make a dozen and have plenty on hand for snacks! Protein is always filling

HotBodUnderConstruction

SWEET POTATO FRIES!

sammi402

cheese, and not that fat-free crap. adds calcium and calories. Just don't go overboard with it. Also, Ice cream (in moderation).

skywa

try making your own protein bars with PB.

Oats, PB, Vanilla protein powder is all you really need.

LolaVersion2

Granola is high in calories. Try adding it to yogurt for breakfast.

Dried fruit is also very calorie dense

Hot chocolate (made from the real stuff!) with heavy whip cream

MMMMMMMmmmmmm I'm drooling.

bcattoes

Nuts and nut butters are a great place to start. Pair them with veggie sticks or fruit. Some others I eat are dry roasted edamame (130 calories per 1/4 cup), Kashi TLC chewy granola bars (140 calories). Guacamole with a few tortilla chips or veggie sticks (one avacodo is > 200 calories).

glennam1

my smoothie..1 creamy danone yougurt (100ml), 1 Banana(6-6 7/8"), 1/2 cup blueberries and 1 cup 1% milk....322 calories...I think I put in the database as Glenna's smoothie .....hope this helps

anberlingasm

I love granola and frozen yoghurt as a dessert; granola is pretty high calorie-wise but still healthy.

abhiforlife

Watermelon, bananas and most fruits give you plenty of calories (due to sugar content) along with vitamins and minerals.

fasttrack27

Yikes! I eat almost that much at breakfast! Oatmeal, 1 slice of whole wheat toast w/ PB, 1 hardboiled egg. Oh, and a banana before hand on the way to the gym - I still count that as breakfast. 501 cals. Back to your question - sounds like you hit the foods I'm aware of. I second the PB reply before me. But I'd be concerned WHY you cant eat more than you do - that doesnt sound natural to me. Medical issue? Are you just grazing on lettuce and celery all day to only get to 800 cal's?

o_delaisse

Thanks everyone for their suggestions

I LOVE peanut butter, and I think there's some in the house, so I'll have some of that As for apples - I do like apples, and I did used to eat them but I started thinking I should eat lower cal fruit. Obviously now I see I need to increase, so I'll get some in. And as I say, I'm fine with nuts (but I better be careful with weighing them, they're surprisingly fatty,. And I know about 'good' fats, I'm just saying I'll be careful). And the protein shake is an awesome idea, I never thought about that. Like SlimFast or something? I'll look it up - thanks! And glenam1 - I'll try that smoothie Dried fruit is also something I love, so I'll look into that. I like dried banana.

Lord, maybe it won't be so hard to get to 1270 cals after all! And then after that I'll see what's happening.

And, to answer fastrack27 - I think I'm like this because I wrecked my metabolism. I don't have any medical issues (though I still have a few psychological hangovers from bad dieting). I eat a big lunch now, stir fries usually, and I find that fills me. I really love spinach and kale and can eat a staggering amount of that, but it's not so calorie packed And I've just had some crispbreads and cottage cheese and salad, which I don't normally do. The main problem for me was 6 months ago, I'd be really pleased with myself for having a 800 cal day and a net of 280, but now, whilst that has faded, there is a big part of me that thinks I'm being ridiculous increasing my calories. I am working on it, but it is going to be a little mixed when I get to a 1270 day. I don't think I'll be as proud of myself as I ought to be. But hey, I'm working on it. I'm getting along quite well making myself better psychologically, I'm in the repairing the damage phase now.

Thanks once again for your awesome suggestions, I really don't think it will be as hard as I thought to get my cals up. I just have to now not be ashamed of it. There's that part of me that thinks it's wrong. But I'll work on it. I'm really motivated and determined this time.