End of the day foods to make calories

texasredreb
texasredreb Posts: 541 Member
in Food and Nutrition
What, if anything, do you eat at the end of the day to boost your calorie count high enough to complete your diary.

Lately I've been loving dates and walnuts--sometimes together as a make shift trail mix and somtimes solo. Before dates and walnuts it was peanut butter.

What do you do?

Replies

  • try2again
    try2again Posts: 3,562 Member
    The only times my calories have been so low that I wouldn't be allowed to close my diary were when I was sick. When I'm short of my allowance (1600), I will usually have something I enjoy that I don't typically want to "waste" calories on (cereal comes to mind). If I'm low on protein for that day, I will sometimes have a Greek yogurt. If I'm genuinely not hungry for anything else that day, I don't worry about it and use it to pad the rest of my week.

    Here's a link for those who find it to be a regular problem:

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10142490/a-list-of-calorie-dense-foods/p1

    And BTW, closing your diary is only necessary for it to post on your news feed (if you have that enabled in your settings) and to get the bogus 5 week weight loss projection. It retains your info whether you close it or not. That being said, if you are logging accurately and regularly coming in under 1200 calories, that's a problem that needs addressed.
  • csplatt
    csplatt Posts: 1,205 Member
    chobani yogurt with some sort of flavor -- pineapple, caramel
  • wilson10102018
    wilson10102018 Posts: 1,306 Member
    Depends on the make up of the day. If its healthy and nutritious, its dark chocolate. If I've had poor nutrition, I supplement with walnuts and/or peanuts. Usually, I am only needing 250 calories to add.
  • texasredreb
    texasredreb Posts: 541 Member
    When it happens, I usually need between 250-350 calories to end the day. Sometimes I feel full and don't want a large quantity of food to eat, so I go for "calorie dense" foods that don't take up a lot of room in my belly. The list in the link above is great, but I can't ever imagine myself eating a tablespoon of coconut oil or butter! It gives me some ideas on what to add to dinner so I don't go so under. I try to eat a light breakfast and lunch so I can save my calories for dinner. Sometimes dinner winds up being fewer calories than I planned on.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    I've never really had the issue about closing my diary, but I do have leftover calories some days and for me it is very important I get them in especially to hit my protein goals when losing. So I will have things like cottage cheese, beef jerky, turkey and cheese.

    If I'm gaining though I just get the cals in..ice cream, cookies, grilled cheese and ham sandwich, quesadillas, bagels, cereal, etc.
  • JaimeJaimeM
    JaimeJaimeM Posts: 63 Member
    I have this issue a lot when I'm bulking. I practice keto - so for me I need to keep my protein high, my fat higher, and my carbs next to nothing.

    Easy end of the day food for me is 1/4 to a half cup of heavy cream. For me it tastes just like milk, and a quarter cup is pretty small. That's 200-400 calories of pure fat, even if you're stuffed like a turkey from eating all day it's a great way to get an extra "meal" in without feeling sick.

    If I need to tackle my protein macros as well I'll throw in a scoop of low-carb powder, usually about 15-30 grams of protein, mix it in a glass with however much heavy cream I need and fill the rest with water.

    If I need to hit my fiber goal still - which is challenging when you're on keto - I'll add a fiber supplement to all the above.. let it sit for a few minutes to thicken up and it's delicious - tastes and feels just like cream of wheat.
  • RelCanonical
    RelCanonical Posts: 3,882 Member
    I will usually have yogurt or toast with butter. Not really any specific reason other than I usually have those in the house, so that's what I eat. If I have a low appetite day and I realize it at work, I'l pick up a pint of low-calorie ice cream and polish off the whole thing. I try to use low appetite days as opportunities for treats. Helps with cravings.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Ice cream or chocolate.
  • Crafty_camper123
    Crafty_camper123 Posts: 1,440 Member
    Ice cream or Peanut butter for me.
  • MamaKL5
    MamaKL5 Posts: 69 Member
    Lately Cadbury Cream Eggs. So good. Or half a peanut butter sandwich.
  • Ddub2020
    Ddub2020 Posts: 17 Member
    Peanut butter toast is my favorite end of day snack. Sometimes a small glass of chocolate milk
  • Gisel2015
    Gisel2015 Posts: 4,185 Member
    My desert (fruit with yogurt or cottage cheese) is usually half and hour after I am done with dinner. I adjust the amount based on my hunger and/or calories left. I don't eat anything else after that (personal preference), and I don't close my diary either; I never did.

    If you still feel hungry and have too many calories left to complete your daily goals at the end of the day, adjust your intake during the day or at dinner time. Closing your diary is not necessary. MFP will not give you extra points for that, and it will not affect weight gain or loss.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    I hate wasting calories because more often than not I want every calorie I have and then some. The idea of using them just to reach a number reminds me of all the days I wanted something but didn't have enough calories for it. If I'm under my budget one day and I don't feel like eating anything, I save those calories for the next day or save them for something I really like but can't fit often sometime that week.

    By "under budget", I mean under my calorie goal (anywhere between 1500 and 2200) not under 1000. Going under 1000 is very rare for me, so rare that I can't even imagine ending that low while eating normally unless I'm sick.
  • MPDean
    MPDean Posts: 99 Member
    MissKJ5 wrote: »
    Lately Cadbury Cream Eggs. So good. Or half a peanut butter sandwich.

    +1 for the creme eggs. It's a sad day when they disappear for the rest of the year.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    A boiled or scrambled egg, maybe a slice of toast with it...or a spoonful of PB
  • aokoye
    aokoye Posts: 3,495 Member
    Pie, cake, cookies, maybe chocolate...never PB.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    edited April 2019
    I don't worry about it, I eat more the next day.

    If you just mean what do I eat if I have room for something extra after dinner, and I want to eat a bit more, dark chocolate, cheese, cottage cheese, fruit, nuts, ice cream, pop corn -- depending on the cals, what I have on hand, and what I feel like. But I don't force myself to eat if not in the mood.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,148 Member
    If I'm short on my personal nutritional goals, (100g protein, 50g fats; at least 5, ideally 10+, 80g veggie/fruit servings), then I'd usually eat to fill whatever the gap is.

    After that, chocolate, nuts, excellent cheese, sangria, or IPA, typically.

    Nutritional goals were a little lower in a calorie deficit than now in maintenance, but same general concept.

    I don't usually struggle to eat enough: Eating enough is easy. Food is yummy. I don't struggle to eat just enough, usually, either. Sometimes I play nutritional Tetris to hit the calorie goal, with proper macros & veggies. Carbs are the commonest balancer for me.
  • Sanriohippie
    Sanriohippie Posts: 76 Member
    Raspberries and strawberries ONLY if I am hungry though.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    I have a variety of choices for that. Being that I'm usually trying to make my protein goals on keto, I have sardines in oil, fat bombs of faux fudge, and a variety of cheeses. I've also usually some mixed nuts.
  • wilson10102018
    wilson10102018 Posts: 1,306 Member
    Here I am again 464 calories below goal. I don't eat anything after desert and before breakfast, so I guess its a couple of Do-si-dos. That'll get me closer (2=115 calories).
  • pierinifitness
    pierinifitness Posts: 2,226 Member
    If I judge my body had been adequately fueled and my satiety needs met, I’ll close my food diary and call it a day even if I’ve eaten less than my budget knowing that, God willing, there’s tomorrow.
  • wilson10102018
    wilson10102018 Posts: 1,306 Member
    My calorie count tells me if my body has been adequately fueled. What else would I rely upon?
  • pierinifitness
    pierinifitness Posts: 2,226 Member
    wilson10102018 wrote: »
    My calorie count tells me if my body has been adequately fueled. What else would I rely upon?

    You don’t have to fill the fuel tank full every day unless you’re going on a long trip.
  • autumnblade75
    autumnblade75 Posts: 1,661 Member
    MPDean wrote: »
    MissKJ5 wrote: »
    Lately Cadbury Cream Eggs. So good. Or half a peanut butter sandwich.

    +1 for the creme eggs. It's a sad day when they disappear for the rest of the year.

    I am in the habit of buying a yearly supply the day after Easter. They tend to be 50% off, and I'll grab a whole case. Sometimes, though, there aren't any leftovers in the discount candy aisle. You've got to be quick.
  • wilson10102018
    wilson10102018 Posts: 1,306 Member
    edited April 2019
    pierinifitness wrote: »
    wilson10102018 wrote: »
    My calorie count tells me if my body has been adequately fueled. What else would I rely upon?

    You don’t have to fill the fuel tank full every day unless you’re going on a long trip.

    I should have expressed myself better.

    Your body uses energy for a lot of things. You need it to restore constantly recycling cells, fighting infection, nervous system and brain processes, even maintaining adequate sleep. and you can't make up on Tuesday the deficiencies of Monday. So, a correct level of nutrients, including energy, is needed every day.

  • pierinifitness
    pierinifitness Posts: 2,226 Member
    wilson10102018 wrote: »
    pierinifitness wrote: »
    wilson10102018 wrote: »
    My calorie count tells me if my body has been adequately fueled. What else would I rely upon?

    You don’t have to fill the fuel tank full every day unless you’re going on a long trip.

    I should have expressed myself better.

    Your body uses energy for a lot of things. You need it to restore constantly recycling cells, fighting infection, nervous system and brain processes, even maintaining adequate sleep. and you can't make up on Tuesday the deficiencies of Monday. So, a correct level of nutrients, including energy, is needed every day.

    No argument from me about what you said. But, leaving a couple hundred calories off the table every now and then isn't going to compromise that which you describe. Enough said about this by me; wishing you the best.

  • wilson10102018
    wilson10102018 Posts: 1,306 Member
    pierinifitness wrote: »
    wilson10102018 wrote: »
    pierinifitness wrote: »
    wilson10102018 wrote: »
    My calorie count tells me if my body has been adequately fueled. What else would I rely upon?

    You don’t have to fill the fuel tank full every day unless you’re going on a long trip.

    I should have expressed myself better.

    Your body uses energy for a lot of things. You need it to restore constantly recycling cells, fighting infection, nervous system and brain processes, even maintaining adequate sleep. and you can't make up on Tuesday the deficiencies of Monday. So, a correct level of nutrients, including energy, is needed every day.

    No argument from me about what you said. But, leaving a couple hundred calories off the table every now and then isn't going to compromise that which you describe. Enough said about this by me; wishing you the best.

    Thank you. I am a bit OC and find it difficult to get the right calories in every day. You are quite right about it being harmless to miss a day here and there on the low side but if left unchecked I'd miss by 400 calories every day and my daily goal is only 1750 so you see the problem. I have 200 days counting and 26 pounds down. I'll try to level off at 40 pounds down if I get there gracefully.
  • texasredreb
    texasredreb Posts: 541 Member
    When my calorie allotment is 1275, I can't really leave too many calories on the table and have adequate nutrition to fuel myself. Y'all have given me some good ideas. Right now, I'm trying to steer clear of sweets (candy, cake and cookies specifically) because I dearly love them and they are a trigger food for me. Having said that, I fully intend to have a big piece of cake on my birthday next week! Then I'm going to strongly encourage someone to take the cake home with them!

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