Help needed to increase my calorie intake

dinithig
dinithig Posts: 9
in Food and Nutrition
Hi everyone! I am "new" here! When I say new, I have tried this before and failed miserably, but have been on track since January 2013! The reason?? Health scare, and a wedding early next year!! :D Im 5'8 and 218 pounds. Lost 9 pounds. since February (when I really started working out properly)

So this is my question - I have been a good eater overall, even before I started the change in January. What I have done is I have cut out my sugars and chocolate (I could eat 2-3 bars a day!!) and now it has become a treat. they were empty calories, because they filled my small hungers with massive amounts of calories. I am now listening to my body more, and giving my body what I need!

My typical day is a big breakfast ( i need a big breakfast because otherwise I get peckish before my morning snack and I cant take snack breaks all the time at work) - carb, protein, vegetable the works! Lunch is a pita pocket with protein and and salad, and Id have snacks between (fruits, nuts, cut up veges with dip etc) - a protein shake every afternoon.

My dinner is really small though. Steamed vegetables with chicken or lamb or something light like this. All of this only adds upto about 1000 calories!! I force myself to eat my dinner at night, because I work out best at night, and after a workout I dont feel hungry at all! I burn on average about 2500 calories a day (i wear body media fit) and I want to eat more, but feel sick if I eat too much! (trust me... i LOVE my food, so I have no guilt) I used to eat for the sake of eating, and I DO NOT want to get back in to that pattern!!

What should I do? Any advice?

Replies

  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    When I need some extra calories I just have a 1 ounce serving of walnuts (almost 200 calories and full of healthy fats). It's loaded with calories, but it's not a lot of bulk to force down if you're not hungry, so it can help you get to your goal in a pinch.

    ETA: You could also try adding more high-fiber whole grain carbs if you need a LOT more calories. I eat a ton of carbs (not a lot of refined sugars though) and that's the only way I can get enough calories in - especially on intense workout days.
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    Peanut butter. It's around 100 calories per tbsp.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Eat full fat dairy, eggs, cheese, nuts, peanut butter, fats, meats. You don't have to fill up on low cal foods to lose weight. Your diary isn't open but there are lots of foods you can add that have higher calorie values without adding more bulk to your meals. Fat doesn't make you fat, eating too much makes you fat so add good fats into your day.
  • stella1314
    stella1314 Posts: 66 Member
    I am sorry, but if you will eat less than 1200 cal you will not loose weight. Eat everything in moderation and count calories. For me works better 40-40-20 formula. Good luck and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
  • dinithig
    dinithig Posts: 9
    Thank you for all the advice! I will take any excuse to eat more cheese! :D Maybe I might make a snack out of walnuts and cheese together!!
    I am having some organic crackers with a dip for snacks too added onto the apple so I up the calories without eating just because I want to...
  • dinithig
    dinithig Posts: 9
    I am sorry, but if you will eat less than 1200 cal you will not loose weight. Eat everything in moderation and count calories. For me works better 40-40-20 formula. Good luck and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!


    I know that my weight loss will stop if I keep eating like this, which is why Im trying to find ideas from other to increase it without feeling overly full each day... I love food and eat EVERYTHING even chocolate (in moderation obviously)... and I am losing weight currently around 1.5 pounds a week.
    but thanks :)
    Just looking for ways to increase it in a healthy way without slipping into old habits!

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