Need help hitting my daily CALORIE goal

vnar
vnar Posts: 5
in Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
Does anyone know any healthy foods high in calories? For example on a good day I fall short, hitting 2700 cals, but my goal is 3500. I have no issues hitting my goals for protein/carbs/fat/sodium/sugar. Keep in mind I'm a vegetarian, which means no animals/seafood.

I have already incorporated eggs, red kidney beans, milk, almonds, oatmeal, white rice in my diet.

Thanks.
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Replies

  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    Peanut butter and a spoon. :smile:
  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
    Avocado is a huge one. A single avocado is 250 calories and has lots of healthy fats. You could also start using more oils when you cook, that will add 120 calories per tbsp.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    Cheese, olives, avocado, nuts and nut butters, ice cream :wink: Maybe an extra glass of milk with protein powder.

    I'm curious, though, how you've met your macros (fat/protein/carb) and not your calorie goal, since they should be balanced. Anyway, you can look at protein as a minimum, and possibly fat, too, rather than a max, so if you need more calories, go for things that will add protein and fat rather than just carbs.
  • Love4fitnesslove4food2
    Love4fitnesslove4food2 Posts: 711 Member
    butter
    cheese
    olives
    hummus with veggies and/or pita bread
    protein shake made w/ 2 tbsp pb, a banana, and whole milk
    a cup of ice cream w/ chopped peanuts, strawberries, and sliced banana
    peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a cup of milk
    quinoa risotto
    salad topped w/ eggs, nuts, olives, dried cranberries, olive oil and balsamic vinegar (easily 500 calories)
    baked potato or sweet potato w/ butter/cheese/sour cream/salsa or butter/nuts/honey/cinnamon
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    Talenti Gelato
  • bpotts44
    bpotts44 Posts: 1,066 Member
    Coconut oil and butter. I add them to coffee.
  • Commander_Keen
    Commander_Keen Posts: 1,179 Member
    You can go with Blackbeans and Cheese..
    Blackbeen is around 100 calorie mark cheese is 80 calories.
    make some mix veggies as well ( peas, corn, oions, carriots)
  • ChrisM8971
    ChrisM8971 Posts: 1,067 Member
    Have that good old restaurant filler, bread dipped in an olive oil/balsamic vinegar mix. Tastes great and the olive oil will boost the old calories for you :happy:
  • Tffanie4712
    Tffanie4712 Posts: 115
    Peanut butter and a spoon. :smile:

    I couldn't agree more!!! Try a couple of peanut butter smoothies. You are getting 2 for 1 deal here the protein plus the high calories. Almond milk , banana, peanut butter and chocolate protein or you can do blueberries or strawberries instead of banana. Its delicious and healthy!!!! Just try not to eat the whole jar.Oatmeal in there is delicious too!!
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    Does anyone know any healthy foods high in calories? For example on a good day I fall short, hitting 2700 cals, but my goal is 3500. I have no issues hitting my goals for protein/carbs/fat/sodium/sugar. Keep in mind I'm a vegetarian, which means no animals/seafood.

    I have already incorporated eggs, red kidney beans, milk, almonds, oatmeal, white rice in my diet.

    Thanks.

    Your goal is 3500 calories a day?
  • FoxyLifter
    FoxyLifter Posts: 965 Member
    1) Ice Cream
    2) Wine
    3) Cookies
    4) Pasta with cream sauce
    5) Dried fruit and nuts (I know those only kind of sound "healthy", but I'm really addicted to them... especially dried pineaple, apricots, pistachios and cashews)

    If you've hit your macros (protein and fat are minimums) and micros for the day, continuing to eat only healthy foods won't get you any extra credit. That's a really high calorie goal you have so it sounds like you've got a lot to play with. I'm assuming that you're male and on a bulk cycle. Can't see much in your profile.

    BTW, personally, I wouldn't watch sugar. You already watch them if you're watching your carbs. I'd choose something like fiber or iron.
  • Love4fitnesslove4food2
    Love4fitnesslove4food2 Posts: 711 Member
    Cheese, olives, avocado, nuts and nut butters, ice cream :wink: Maybe an extra glass of milk with protein powder.

    I'm curious, though, how you've met your macros (fat/protein/carb) and not your calorie goal, since they should be balanced. Anyway, you can look at protein as a minimum, and possibly fat, too, rather than a max, so if you need more calories, go for things that will add protein and fat rather than just carbs.

    I'm guessing the OP does view them as minimums and he/she has hit his/her calorie target without hitting his/her calorie goal. Usually with calorie targets that high you're not going to have every macro calculated so that when you add them all up they equal the calorie target.
  • Amadbro
    Amadbro Posts: 750 Member
    Peanut butter and a spoon. :smile:

    qft
  • mareemak
    mareemak Posts: 6
    Chick peas
  • Amadbro
    Amadbro Posts: 750 Member
    nvm just saw op was a veggie...I have 0 advice
  • Kasmira0004
    Kasmira0004 Posts: 79 Member
    Talenti Gelato

    :love:
  • vnar
    vnar Posts: 5
    Thanks everyone for the advice (except for the troll who offered 0 advice). I forgot about chick peas and peanut butter, I'll add them to my diet. Being vegetarian does have its challenges but I learned its definitely possible to pack on weight without any meats. Thanks again to those who helped, will heed advice and take note of the food suggestions!

    Will add the following foods: olive oil, pb, chick peas, more butter, avocado, quinoa, black beans, gelato, extra glass of milk per day, maybe potatoes as well.
  • KellyMommy6
    KellyMommy6 Posts: 7
    I started on a 3500 a day goal and had a hard time reaching it (iv actually dropped it down to 3000 now) chesse slices and hard boiled eggs tend to be an easy boost especily the chesse as well as breakfest shakes (2 carnation essentials packets mixed with whole or 2% can get you over 600) add in 2 banannas 2 slices of chesse and some penutbutter toast and youv got over a 1000cal breakfest.

    fruit and nut mixs and hummus are pretty fast add ins to or you can allways "cheat" and grab a candy bar not that id know or anything but you can grab a quick 600 off of 30 hershey kisses lol (dont judge its the holidays) . also dont forget toppings oil, butter, ranch, stirfry sauces, alfrado, mayo those sort of things can add up quick.
  • RllyGudTweetr
    RllyGudTweetr Posts: 2,019 Member
    Here's a 750(ish) calorie salad, that's lacto-ovo vegetarian friendly, which I have about once a week:

    Spring mix
    Sliced Cucumber (1/2 cup)
    Red Onion, half
    Shredded carrots (1/2 cup)
    Croutons, 0.5 oz
    Almonds, 1 oz (approx. 23 nuts)
    Apple, 1/2, chopped
    Broccoli, 1/2 cup
    Hard boiled egg
    Cherry Tomato, 100g
    Shaved Parmesan Cheese, 1/4 cup
    Sugar Snap Peas, 1/2 cup
    Balsamic Vinaigrette
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    Cheese, olives, avocado, nuts and nut butters, ice cream :wink: Maybe an extra glass of milk with protein powder.

    I'm curious, though, how you've met your macros (fat/protein/carb) and not your calorie goal, since they should be balanced. Anyway, you can look at protein as a minimum, and possibly fat, too, rather than a max, so if you need more calories, go for things that will add protein and fat rather than just carbs.

    I'm guessing the OP does view them as minimums and he/she has hit his/her calorie target without hitting his/her calorie goal. Usually with calorie targets that high you're not going to have every macro calculated so that when you add them all up they equal the calorie target.

    I'm confused by this issue too - the macros do add up to the calorie goal. I'd go to an iifym calculator to work out you macros before you just start eating whatever....I think it'll be more helpful for you to achieve your goals.
  • Love4fitnesslove4food2
    Love4fitnesslove4food2 Posts: 711 Member
    Cheese, olives, avocado, nuts and nut butters, ice cream :wink: Maybe an extra glass of milk with protein powder.

    I'm curious, though, how you've met your macros (fat/protein/carb) and not your calorie goal, since they should be balanced. Anyway, you can look at protein as a minimum, and possibly fat, too, rather than a max, so if you need more calories, go for things that will add protein and fat rather than just carbs.

    I'm guessing the OP does view them as minimums and he/she has hit his/her calorie target without hitting his/her calorie goal. Usually with calorie targets that high you're not going to have every macro calculated so that when you add them all up they equal the calorie target.

    I'm confused by this issue too - the macros do add up to the calorie goal. I'd go to an iifym calculator to work out you macros before you just start eating whatever....I think it'll be more helpful for you to achieve your goals.

    I'll give you an example...

    150 pound person has the following goals:

    Calories = 3500
    150g protein (=600 calories)
    75g fat (=675 calories)

    carbs--> no target because total doesn't matter.

    600+ 675 = 1275 calories. So, the person would have 2225 calories that could be comprised of anything. Odds are that both protein and fat intake will exceed his/her target but those are merely minimums to ensure adequate fat and protein intake. It's kind of pointless to have a rigid target with every single macronutrient even when it will do nothing to further your goals--only complicate eating and make it harder to simply get enough calories in--which is the most important goal of all.
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    Cheese, olives, avocado, nuts and nut butters, ice cream :wink: Maybe an extra glass of milk with protein powder.

    I'm curious, though, how you've met your macros (fat/protein/carb) and not your calorie goal, since they should be balanced. Anyway, you can look at protein as a minimum, and possibly fat, too, rather than a max, so if you need more calories, go for things that will add protein and fat rather than just carbs.

    I'm guessing the OP does view them as minimums and he/she has hit his/her calorie target without hitting his/her calorie goal. Usually with calorie targets that high you're not going to have every macro calculated so that when you add them all up they equal the calorie target.

    I'm confused by this issue too - the macros do add up to the calorie goal. I'd go to an iifym calculator to work out you macros before you just start eating whatever....I think it'll be more helpful for you to achieve your goals.

    I'll give you an example...

    150 pound person has the following goals:

    Calories = 3500
    150g protein (=600 calories)
    75g fat (=675 calories)

    carbs--> no target because total doesn't matter.

    600+ 675 = 1275 calories. So, the person would have 2225 calories that could be comprised of anything. Odds are that both protein and fat intake will exceed his/her target but those are merely minimums to ensure adequate fat and protein intake. It's kind of pointless to have a rigid target with every single macronutrient even when it will do nothing to further your goals--only complicate eating and make it harder to simply get enough calories in--which is the most important goal of all.

    IIFYM works fine for plenty of people, and that is a set amount for each macronutrient. The op days they meet their goals for protein, fat and carbs. So they should be eating enough calories...
  • Love4fitnesslove4food2
    Love4fitnesslove4food2 Posts: 711 Member
    Nevermind. I must be failing at conveying what my point is.
  • Morgaath
    Morgaath Posts: 679 Member
    IIFYM works fine for plenty of people, and that is a set amount for each macronutrient. The op days they meet their goals for protein, fat and carbs. So they should be eating enough calories...

    Take a look at the goals on IIFYM... http://iifym.com/iifym-calculator/
    PROTEIN -- 1.00 grams per lb. of body weight
    FAT -- 0.40 grams per lb. of body weight

    So, a 150lb person would have a daily MINIMUM goal of 150 grams of protein, and 60 grams of fat. --- Kind of like you have a MINIMUM goal of getting in AT LEAST 150 minutes of exercise per week. No one says you can't go over that goal, and they tell you that you are doing great when you do.

    The OP is hitting their minimum daily intake goal (150g Pro, 60g fat), which would be 600 cals & 540 cals, for a total of 1140 cals out of their daily calorie goal of 3500 cals. They can fill in those remaining 2360 cals with anything....protein, fat, or carbs.

    Is it making more sense now?
  • ErikTee
    ErikTee Posts: 11 Member
    I love Smuckers Natural Chunky... Another good tip for easy calories is HEAVY CREAM... And your shakes will taste much much better! :) My fav shake is 1 egg, 1 scoop Combta protein with half water half heavy cream... Delicious
  • conniemaxwell5
    conniemaxwell5 Posts: 943 Member
    Does anyone know any healthy foods high in calories? For example on a good day I fall short, hitting 2700 cals, but my goal is 3500. I have no issues hitting my goals for protein/carbs/fat/sodium/sugar. Keep in mind I'm a vegetarian, which means no animals/seafood.

    I have already incorporated eggs, red kidney beans, milk, almonds, oatmeal, white rice in my diet.

    Thanks.

    Avocado; full fat cheese, cottage cheese or yogurt; walnuts; nut butters; olives
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    There are a lot of great suggestions already made, but I was wondering if you could open your diary?


    And here's a reference to two people that might be able to give you ideas from their diaries

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/user/Ophidion/status (vegan)
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/user/Sarauk2sf/status (vegetarian - but I'm not sure if her diary is public or not)
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    Hitting your goals for the macros but not enough calories? Do you mean that you're eating the right percentages of each, but too few calories?

    I would just say chug some milk for the rest of it.
  • Destanie_Robyn
    Destanie_Robyn Posts: 304 Member
    Peanut butter and a spoon. :smile:

    ↑ this! A friend of mine once got really sick and lost a lot of weight and appetite because of it... her doctor told her to eat two big spoonfuls a day!

    Also nutella or Justins nut butters are a tasty treat too that will do the trick with similar protein ratios as PB!

    I also agree with all the avocado votes too!
  • vnar
    vnar Posts: 5
    Overwhelmed by the number of responses... thanks guys!!!!!!! So pumped to try the foods suggested! I'm going to eat a scoop of PB between meals for extra calories. I am in fact 151 lb, trying to get to 160 by mid-March. I lift weights every other day and play basketball at least once a week. To answer a previous question, I am only falling short calories-wise, not having much of an issue hitting everything else. Looks like avocado has been mentioned the most; I need to figure out how to incorporate it in my diet.

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