How can I get more calories?

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Replies

  • GothyFaery
    GothyFaery Posts: 762 Member
    You could put whipped cream on your strawberries with breakfast.

    Never thought of this, will have to try it! Sounds awesome!!
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    Oh, Dark chocolate too - not much sugar.
    600 calories or so for the 100g bar I had earlier and not THAT much sugar) - I JUST managed to stop myself at 80g, but it was hard work.

    (Appreciated not everyone can just much down 100g of 85% chocolate.)
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    Don't just switch to maintenance. Increase your daily calories by 100 every two weeks or something.
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    I 1/2 cup serving of Ben and Jerry's is 350 calories. Personally, I eat 1/4 cup with nuts every evening around 9, within my calories.

    Other calorie dense food:

    Butter (do you like toast?)
    Cheese
    Nuts mixed with chocolate chips and raisins
    Glasses of milk
    OJ
  • To gain weight in a healthful way, you should focus on eating nutrient-dense foods. Excellent options include whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables and lean protein sources. Protein can help build muscle and support healthy weight gain. Smart options include lean meats, eggs, nuts, beans, cheese, milk and soy products. Whole grains provide B vitamins, fiber and minerals, which are important for your body.
  • katerskate
    katerskate Posts: 13
    Hey all! New to MFP, nice to meet you :-)

    I'm having the same issue- I've been logging exercise/food on here for the last 2 days, but it looks like both days I've apparently been 600 - 900 calories under the required amount..

    I am in no way trying to starve myself- all I've been doing is making sure I steer clear of processed/refined foods etc, which I used to snack on all the time, and trying to eat more healthily instead. I eat when I'm hungry, but I've been getting less hungry since I started working out (and cut back on addictive sugary foods). I've also been feeling kind of bloated (I've read it might be water retention as I've just started working out) which doesn't help me feel more hungry!

    I know this isn't good, because I won't be able to build muscle if I'm not eating enough. Do I just force myself to eat more even if I'm not hungry? Plus, I don't know what I should be eating more of- carbs? protein? fat?! I'm vegetarian, and I don't drink milk.

    Thanks :-)
  • SGM_Adonis
    SGM_Adonis Posts: 1,565 Member
    How is it that you're able to find calories on the weekends but not on the weekdays? Are they hiding from you?
  • GothyFaery
    GothyFaery Posts: 762 Member
    How is it that you're able to find calories on the weekends but not on the weekdays? Are they hiding from you?

    On the weekends I eat fast food for dinner so right there is like 1000 calories for dinner alone. On the weekdays I cook at home and dinner ranges from 400-800 calories. Also I work on the weekdays and often forget to eat when I'm caught up in what I'm doing. On the weekends when I spend a majority of my time at home, I get hungrier faster and I tend to eat a little more.

    ETA:
    I don't really get hungry when I'm at work. Not sure why but I just don't.
  • nltg13
    nltg13 Posts: 24 Member
    Plenty of sauce on everything you eat!
  • bciloveme2014
    bciloveme2014 Posts: 213 Member
    The other day you had strawberries for breakfast ...something like 50cals.
    Drink 2 cups of whole milk with it and you are now at 250 cals.
    Put the strawberries, milk and a scoop of protein mix in a blender, and now you are at 400 cals total.
    Maybe add in some Greek yogurt.
    Have a Balance bar as an afternoon snack, and there is another 200 cals.
    Eat a slice of deep dish pizza.
    Have a scoop of ice cream.
    Drink a Guinness beer (210 cals)
    Drink a big Margarita while eating some Mexican food, including the chips.
    Have a slice of pie.
    Stop eating anything that says "diet" or "low cal"
    Remember what it was like to eat.

    This is why you are supposed to keep dropping your deficit as you get closer to target. It teaches you how to eat for maintenance.


    This, except the beer ( I don't like beer)
  • snowbunnyA
    snowbunnyA Posts: 25 Member
    I sympathise because I used to struggle to get more calories in. I unwittingly ate a very low calorie diet that wasn't doing me any favours, and when I started tracking I realised I had to increase that. But, I was never hungry - my body had become used to its minimal intake. It took a little while, but by increasing my intake little by little, I'm now up to normal levels.

    I found that it was far easier to drink my calories than eat them. I still do this at breakfast time, because I can't stomach food early on. Breakfast is always a protein shake with peanut butter and banana blitzed through. Sometimes a spoonful of coffee, too. You could easily use milk instead of water to make it, and even add some Greek yoghurt - in a smoothie, you won't notice the texture.

    Some people find that if they have a little bit of sugar post-workout, it makes them hungry, so that might be worth a try - look for dextrose-based jellies.

    In general, though, look for calorie-dense foods to increase your intake without feeling bloated. Fats (except trans fats) are good for this - a little more butter or oil in your cooking etc. It adds up very quickly. If you like nuts, keep some of these in the cupboard - cashews and walnuts are always to hand in my house and are very calorie rich. Avocado is also amazing and can be blended in with your smoothies.
  • katerskate
    katerskate Posts: 13
    I unwittingly ate a very low calorie diet that wasn't doing me any favours, and when I started tracking I realised I had to increase that. But, I was never hungry - my body had become used to its minimal intake.

    I do feel like it's partly a mental block for me, that I'm just too used to eating less! Plus, before I ever thought properly about exercise I just equated eating less with being healthy.. So reading that I have to eat MORE feels wrong and antithetical to getting fit, even though i know that's not really the case. I know that if I eat more, I'll start to /want/ to eat more..I always used to have a big appetite- looks like I'll just have to train myself to rediscover it a bit..
  • __hannah_
    __hannah_ Posts: 787 Member
    Wish I had this problem. Just eat larger portions of the food you are already eating or add in foods you really enjoy.
  • eganita
    eganita Posts: 501 Member
    Any suggestions for protein powders?

    This is the kind that I have:
    Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard, French Vanilla Creme

    As someone else said, it's not bad mixed just with milk (though at least for me, it has to be mixed very well. If there are any clumps, I do not like that one bit!!!!)

    Another recipe that I enjoy:
    1 cup milk
    1 tablespoon peanut butter
    1 scoop of protein powder mentioned above
    About a teaspoon cocoa powder
    Blend with some ice cubes

    I think that smoothie is pretty tasty. If made with 1% milk and creamy Jif, it ends up being about 341 cals/22 carbs/12 fat/36 protein.

    I hope that helps!

    ETA: I'm not sure if you're a coffee drinker, but the protein powder can also act as a sort of coffee creamer when mixed with iced black coffee.. to add some extra calories and protein :). I have heard mixed things about using protein powder in a hot beverage (it may disrupt the chemical properties of the protein I guess? I am not sure if that's true or not, but I avoid using it with hot beverages just in case).
  • Anonycatgirl
    Anonycatgirl Posts: 502 Member
    Congrats on reaching maintenance. I suspect I won't have your problem once I get there, but here are few suggestions. Start with larger portions, 5 oz of salmon instead of 3, a slightly bigger steak. Butter on your veggies. Switch out your Special K for granola. Eat pasta, and not just the tiny 2 ounces we've come to think of as a serving in deficit mode. Still measure it, so you know what you're getting, but you have the wiggle room for a satisfying serving--with cheese on top.

    Most of all, have fun with eating again! You've accomplished something major, and you've learned how to eat without going nuts. Now you have to learn to loosen up a little and remember sometimes you can enjoy eating more of something yummy.
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    I have the same problem as you but you are better at almost reaching your protein goal. Your diary looks balanced, just low in calories. I can empathize with the not feeling hungry aspect. I meet with a nutritionist and she constantly is giving me suggestions for adding food. I tend to be low in protein and I exercise a lot so I've started adding protein powder smoothies, but I'm using them for lunch right now, it's not solving the problem. I take a medication that has a side effect of reducing my appetite (oh, lucky me. ;-\). I'm sick and tired of sandwiches for lunch, so I'm searching around for higher calorie lunches.

    All the suggestions I've read were great! I think there was one post about not being able to wrap my head around the concept of being able to eat more and I think that's part of what I'm going through. Gook luck and thanks for your post.
  • Lives2Travel
    Lives2Travel Posts: 682 Member
    I just switched back to real milk from almond milk but that's still not a huge increase. I do try to incorporate fruit in my day, maybe I will try to add a little more. I've tried my whole life to like yogurt but I just can't stand the texture. I wish I could eat it because it would be a great way to boost my protein. I've been trying to work on that too.

    I know exactly what you mean about the texture of yogurt. I add a 1/4 cup of LF Granola to make it more palatable. For me, the crunch makes all the difference.