Do Calories Matter?

Im trying to gain muscle so i calculated i should be getting around 3000 calories a day. Now i have been eating a ton of food and its all been clean and healthy. But i added the calories and it was only around 1500, but i was full all day(almost didnt finish my breakfast). So how the heck am i suppose to double what i ate today, there is no way i can eat that much or afford it hah. Here is an example. A cup of spinach is only 7 calories according to mfp. What if i ate 200 cups of spinach, its a ton of food but only 1400 calories. I understand protein and other thing play a big part in it and i have been eating the right ratios. I just dont see how to eat more. Im eating a ton of food, its just they are low calories, but at the same time they are healthy. Thanks for your time.
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Replies

  • Incorporate more calorie dense foods into your diet, such as: avocados, peanut butter, olive oil, almonds, etc. Also, don't but the low fat/ non fat foods if you are looking to add calories.

    EDIT: Maybe if you opened up your diary it would be easier to give you some advice:)
  • poohpoohpeapod
    poohpoohpeapod Posts: 776 Member
    umm hey, eat higher calorie foods, avocado, 1/4 cup mixed nuts is like 300 calories, and that is a tiny portion, Peanut butter, full fat yogurt. Of course if eating spinach, spinacj is likethe lowest caloried food there is. Add coconut oil to roasted veggies. so easy
  • jeromykaplan
    jeromykaplan Posts: 205 Member
    Thanks, i love me some peanutbutter so that wont be a problem hah
  • fivethreeone
    fivethreeone Posts: 8,196 Member
    Best tip I've gotten: peanut butter off the spoon. Weigh it; it adds up fast, but a serving at every meal will easily put you an additional 800 cals up on your day.
  • cmcollins001
    cmcollins001 Posts: 3,472 Member
    Pop Tarts and Pizza
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    3000 isn't that hard, it's the days I have to make it up to 4000 that take a toll. I avoid most non-calorie dense foods, and enjoy what I eat to the fullest. Diary is open if you want to check it out
  • mustgetmuscles1
    mustgetmuscles1 Posts: 3,346 Member
    Bacon, ice cream, pie, cheese.
  • mandyneedtolose
    mandyneedtolose Posts: 398 Member
    add in some higher calorie foods .. such as peanuts, almonds, peanut butter, almond butter, avocado, olive oil, cheese, yogurt. :) Good luck!!
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Get a dirtier diet.
  • CarlKRobbo
    CarlKRobbo Posts: 390 Member
    As everyone has said above really....

    Eat more calorie dense foods, and make sure you hit the calories!

    Take advantage of the fact your on a bulk and enjoy the odd bacon\pie\ice cream, as long as you don't go stupidly over on calories then It'll be fine.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    put avocado on your pizza
  • 75in2013
    75in2013 Posts: 361 Member
    Why did you title your post 'Do calories matter?'
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    Incorporate more calorie dense foods into your diet, such as: avocados, peanut butter, olive oil, almonds, etc. Also, don't but the low fat/ non fat foods if you are looking to add calories.

    EDIT: Maybe if you opened up your diary it would be easier to give you some advice:)

    ^this - fat is your friend :)
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Bacon, ice cream, pie, cheese.
    This.
    Get a dirtier diet.
    And this.
  • IronCakes
    IronCakes Posts: 317 Member
    If you're looking to put on muscle mass then I highly suggest you start hitting your proteins.
  • Shadowknight137
    Shadowknight137 Posts: 1,243 Member
    Stop drinking almond milk, eating low fat yoghurt and consuming less calorically dense things.

    That should make hitting your calories easier.

    tumblr_mmcw8mofwG1r5xzspo1_400.jpg
  • chrisryan139
    chrisryan139 Posts: 1 Member
    What are you eating at the moment and amount. I find 3000 calories is very very easy to consume a day
  • Fozzi43
    Fozzi43 Posts: 2,984 Member
    What are you eating at the moment and amount. I find 3000 calories is very very easy to consume a day

    If you eat dirty, yes, but not if you're trying to eat reasonably healthy ?
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Full fat dairy. Nuts, seeds, olive oil. Peanut butter. Bread. Pork, beef. Protein powder milkshakes.
  • GOMAD
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    Im trying to gain muscle so i calculated i should be getting around 3000 calories a day. Now i have been eating a ton of food and its all been clean and healthy. But i added the calories and it was only around 1500, but i was full all day(almost didnt finish my breakfast). So how the heck am i suppose to double what i ate today, there is no way i can eat that much or afford it hah. Here is an example. A cup of spinach is only 7 calories according to mfp. What if i ate 200 cups of spinach, its a ton of food but only 1400 calories. I understand protein and other thing play a big part in it and i have been eating the right ratios. I just dont see how to eat more. Im eating a ton of food, its just they are low calories, but at the same time they are healthy. Thanks for your time.


    This is a simple solution:

    Cosco has a product called Ancient Grains.
    It comes in a box with 2 tubes of mixture to it.
    I like the one with almonds.
    Pour 1 tube of mixture into a tupperware.
    Add 1-2 scoops whey protein.
    Add some honey or any type of natural sweetener.
    When you are ready to eat, add hot or cold water or milk.

    Each tupperware will contain 2200 calories appx.
    81g of essential fats
    350+g of clean carbs
    45g of protein +whatever whey you add, I prefer Ultra Peptide 2.0.

    Then its a matter of only filling appx 400cals to goal for the day.

    ngredients:
    Rolled oats*, unrefined cane sugar*, rolled spelt*, soy oil*, Kamut® Khorasan wheat*, almonds*, inulin*, rolled quinoa*, rolled amaranth*, rice starch*, sea salt, molasses*, cinnamon*, natural vanilla flavor, tocopherols (natural vitamin E).

    Hope that helps.
  • foggles
    foggles Posts: 4
    Check out Mike Dolce and living lean. Don't count calories, make calories count. He has a lot of advice for individuals that want to gain muscle so incoporates the exercise side of things as well as diet.

    Good luck!
  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    If you're lifting, you need protein. If you're moving around, you need carbs. If you're thinking and alive, you need fat.

    When I was younger and trying to gain weight (Oh how great those days were), I did a few of these things:
    - I drank whole milk (lots of it).
    - I ate pasta (lots of it).
    - I ate vegetables, especially carrots, potatoes and beets.
    - I used whey protein powder.
    - I ate a lot of lean meat.

    To build it right, I did a few things:
    - I lifted regularly and heavy.
    - I walked (army road march with pack) alot.
    - I spent more time moving than sitting.
  • ritchiedrama
    ritchiedrama Posts: 1,304 Member
    Ice Cream
  • GODfidence
    GODfidence Posts: 249 Member
    A pint of Ben and jerrys shall do you justice.
  • Cinflo58
    Cinflo58 Posts: 326 Member
    How I wish that were my problem :)
  • notworthstalking
    notworthstalking Posts: 531 Member
    If you look at my last 3 days, I have done pretty well on hitting 3000 cals or around, and haven't had takeaway , apart from a roast chicken my husband bought pre cooked. I find weekends hard, because I am with the family, and eating what they want. I am also not so active. On work days, I am starving and have no trouble getting my calories and get pretty close on macros.
  • Showcase_Brodown
    Showcase_Brodown Posts: 919 Member
    The thing holding you back is the idea that everything you eat has to be "clean and healthy."

    Think in terms of your macro and calorie goals. Other have suggested having more calorie dense foods, which is absolutely the ticket if you are unable to eat a lot.

    You can also drink your calories, and I find that milk is excellent for that.
  • eric_sg61
    eric_sg61 Posts: 2,925 Member
    Eat more calorie dense food. Don't think that just because your eating "clean" that those surplus "clean" calories are only going to be used to build muscle
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Eat more than just a bunch of veggies and what not...eat more calorie dense foods...nuts, nut butters, avocados, saute that cup of spinach up in a Tbsp of coconut oil or other oil/butter, etc. Drink full fat milk and eat cheese...eat ribeye steaks and whole chicken with the skin and dark meat. Also drink some beer...it's awesome recovery beverage :drinker: