Struggling...

jcomley1
jcomley1 Posts: 133
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey!

I dont know if this is a problem unique to me... But I am sure there must be some MFP people out there who are struggling too.
I am a very tall - 6 ft one- and am also very active- gyming sometimes twice a day. But I am really struggling to eat my calories up for my BMR of 1600 calories a day. I am just not hungry. What I eat- lots of fruit and veg and chick peas and such- is low in calories but very filling and I am really worried that even though I dont feel like I am starving myself- I may be unwittingly doing so. The only unhealthy thing I eat is sugar in my tea, and sometimes chocolate once a week.

I really want to lower my Body fat percentage and build muscle and I am worried that this is never going to happen if I cant learn to increase my calorie intake.

Any advise on stimulating my appetite, increasing metabolic rate, or eating healthy food thats a little bit higher in energy or protein, etc. Is a protein shake good for women to take?

Replies

  • wells0707
    wells0707 Posts: 251 Member
    Throw some nuts or peanut butter in the mix. They are high in calories while still healthy for you. Good Luck!
  • IveLanded
    IveLanded Posts: 797 Member
    I have protein shakes almost every day! I don't see why they wouldn't be good for women. :)
  • relocatedcowboy
    relocatedcowboy Posts: 101
    I suggest eat very early in the morning, that way your body gets a kick start and you feel hungry more through out the day. Also I suggest to use whey Protein before and after workouts. It is perfectly healthy as long as you buy a quality brand, some of the knock offs have nothing but crap in them. I love Muscle Milk, Personally but will drink others occasionally. This also helps me with my muscles not being so sore. Here is a link http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/whey.html Hope this helps.
  • prettygirlhoward
    prettygirlhoward Posts: 338 Member
    Bump
  • marycmeadows
    marycmeadows Posts: 1,691 Member
    Throw some nuts or peanut butter in the mix. They are high in calories while still healthy for you. Good Luck!

    This or protein shakes. you need more calorie dense foods with healthy fats.
  • Spanaval
    Spanaval Posts: 1,200 Member
    I have been using protein shakes as a way to get in my proteins and calories. You can add higher calorie fruits (like mango, banana), and nut butters to up the calories. My diet tends to skew vegetarian, and it can be a struggle to get up to even the 1300 (NET) that I need to eat.
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    A protein shake is definitely a good idea, especially as you exercise so much. Throw some peanut butter in it and full fat milk and it will add about 400 calories and all good nutrition. You could also add a protein bar at some point through out the day! X
  • grex1949
    grex1949 Posts: 125 Member
    I'd go along with the protein shake advice. A couple of those babies a day and you've added 300 kcal to your intake without overloading on carbohydrates. One before the workout, one after is what I've been doing for about a month, and it seems to be working well for me.
    Good luck!
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    Try nuts...whatever kind you like...lots of good nutrition in a small, calorie dense package...
  • kristinwalker
    kristinwalker Posts: 100 Member
    I too, am tall and have the exact same issue. I have found adding more meat than usual and a protein shake (as everyone else has mentioned) has helped, but I still am low on my cals. Especially when I work out. I think you know your body and if your body is not telling you that you are hungry then you should be fine. If you are hungry then try to feed it high proteins especially with how much you are at the gym and if you want to build some muscle to lower your body fat. The protein will help feed your muscles and it also helps with feeling less hungry. Eggs, chicken, ham, turkey, lean meats, nuts, fish, and nut butters are all good. Even things like avocado are high in Omega 3's and high in Cals but won't kill your diet! Good luck!!!
  • jcomley1
    jcomley1 Posts: 133
    Thanks so much everyone! this advice is great! i am going to go get myself a whey protein shake asap.
  • GetFitE
    GetFitE Posts: 247 Member
    I agree with the protein shakes and nuts. I like Designer Whey French Vanilla shakes...100 calories and 18g of protein. And I was told that the best nuts are almonds and walnuts--just more bang for your buck (better oils/healthy fats and what-not for the calories) vs. peanuts or cashews.
  • ladynica
    ladynica Posts: 329 Member
    Add a couple of smoothies throughout the day (berries, juice, milk or coconut water, etc, yogurt, flax seed, etc, etc). It's a refreshing drink and it will add some healthy calories as well.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    Olive oil - it's packed with good calories!
    peanut butter
    full fat cheeses and yogurts
    nuts
    avocados
  • cyclerjenn
    cyclerjenn Posts: 833 Member
    I am also tall and very active (5'10'' and a tri-athlete). I have my calories at 1800 and I am a vegetarian so alot of the foods I eat are low calorie. I have added whole grains to my diet for the slow energy burn for my endurance runs and rides. I have also added nut butters before my training.
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