Fruit is misleading. There are a lot of non-calorie dense fruit. Think blueberries, strawberries, etc...
Beef Jerky isn't calorie dense. 1 oz. is generally 80 calories. 2 oz can be a very healthy snack that will last a while and a great replacement for chips.
Fruit is misleading. There are a lot of non-calorie dense fruit. Think blueberries, strawberries, etc...
Beef Jerky isn't calorie dense. 1 oz. is generally 80 calories. 2 oz can be a very healthy snack that will last a while and a great replacement for chips.
Um, then how about contributing some foods of your own that you do feel are calorie dense?
I only skimmed the list, but using the standard definition of "calorie-dense", soybeans and "fruit" wouldn't make the cut.
I didn't see breakfast cereals. If I missed it, I did, but if it's not there, breakfast cereals are an excellent way to load up on calories and some have fiber and iron, so you get a little goodness.
I only skimmed the list, but using the standard definition of "calorie-dense", soybeans and "fruit" wouldn't make the cut.
I didn't see breakfast cereals. If I missed it, I did, but if it's not there, breakfast cereals are an excellent way to load up on calories and some have fiber and iron, so you get a little goodness.
It's a nice idea, creating a list.
Yes, soybeans and fruit along with some others have been covered in the comments several times. If I could go back and edit them out, I would. But that window passed a long time ago.
Thanks for adding breakfast cereals. That's one I hadn't thought of.
This list is exactly what I needed!!!! Although I can get myself to 1200 calories, my recommended daily amount is a little over 2000... I just started MFP last week, but after tracking I found that I usually get around 1500 daily. It's not like I'm super hungry, but I know that as I start losing weight, it's going to be harder to cut out some calories from 1500 than it would be to cut from 2000. Thanks OP!
I'm posting this list with the intention of creating something that people can link to when someone is having a hard time reaching their calorie goal. I hope that other users will add more ideas in the comments.
Calorie dense foods can be your best friend when you're trying to eat more. These are foods that pack a lot of calories into just a small amount, so they boost your calories quickly without putting a lot of extra food in your stomach. This is a generic list and it's definitely not comprehensive, but anything here can be included in a balanced diet (as long as there are no allergies, medical conditions, obviously):
avocado
cheese
full fat dairy
Greek yogurt
ice cream
peanut butter (or other nut butters)
dark chocolate
less lean cuts of meat (including beef, pork, sausage, etc.)
seeds (chia, flax, sunflower, etc.)
nuts
olive oil
coconut oil
butter
beans and lentils
protein shakes, bars, and smoothies
hummus
beef jerky
cornbread
tuna
full calorie condiments
full calorie sauces & dressings
sour cream
guacamole
whole grain pasta
rice
bacon
whole eggs
quinoa
fruit and fruit juices
pretzels
bananas
scones
muffins (bran, blueberry, banana nut, etc.)
potatoes (sweet, red, gold, purple, white, etc.)
dried fruit (raisins, apricots, plums, dates, etc.)
granola
coconut
salmon
edamame
olives
honey
molasses
10 bean soup, turkey hock, with Wisconsin Sharp cheese on top
Lentils and ham
Chorizo over a hard boiled egg, honey, and a little sriracha
cheese and beef or deer jerky
honey sticks(deer bologna)
You would be surprised. Or maybe not. People on low incomes go one of two ways: too calorie dense eating or too low. For a while when I was feeding 5 on 300 a month I found I was only eating 400 to 800 calories a day. That's bad. I switched out a few staples for something that had more calories and vitamins and was hitting 1000 to 1300 a day. It's going to be easier now that I am feeding 2 on 250 a month. At least I hope.
I'm a little confused after reading this. I'm trying to loose weight and I heard that it is better to eat high protein foods. I eat a lot of things on this list like peanut butter and Greek yogurt...is this bad?
Is it bad to be under your calorie limit if you want to loose weight? How low can you go without being unhealthy?
I'm a little confused after reading this. I'm trying to loose weight and I heard that it is better to eat high protein foods. I eat a lot of things on this list like peanut butter and Greek yogurt...is this bad?
Is it bad to be under your calorie limit if you want to loose weight? How low can you go without being unhealthy?
If you are trying to lose weight just eat LESS and you will lose. Reverse if trying to gain Doesnt matter what you eat, what matters is how much of it.
Replies
Beef Jerky isn't calorie dense. 1 oz. is generally 80 calories. 2 oz can be a very healthy snack that will last a while and a great replacement for chips.
Um, then how about contributing some foods of your own that you do feel are calorie dense?
Hummus pizza sounds really good! I'm adding that to my list of meals to try this week.
I didn't see breakfast cereals. If I missed it, I did, but if it's not there, breakfast cereals are an excellent way to load up on calories and some have fiber and iron, so you get a little goodness.
It's a nice idea, creating a list.
Yes, soybeans and fruit along with some others have been covered in the comments several times. If I could go back and edit them out, I would. But that window passed a long time ago.
Thanks for adding breakfast cereals. That's one I hadn't thought of.
Lentils and ham
Chorizo over a hard boiled egg, honey, and a little sriracha
cheese and beef or deer jerky
honey sticks(deer bologna)
You would be surprised. Or maybe not. People on low incomes go one of two ways: too calorie dense eating or too low. For a while when I was feeding 5 on 300 a month I found I was only eating 400 to 800 calories a day. That's bad. I switched out a few staples for something that had more calories and vitamins and was hitting 1000 to 1300 a day. It's going to be easier now that I am feeding 2 on 250 a month. At least I hope.
Is it bad to be under your calorie limit if you want to loose weight? How low can you go without being unhealthy?
If you are trying to lose weight just eat LESS and you will lose. Reverse if trying to gain