Not reaching my calorie goal

reneeeeeh
reneeeeeh Posts: 54
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I'm finding it hard to reach my calorie goal each day.. I've added alot more fruits and vegetables to my diet but thats the problem because theres not enough calories in them!

I feel like i'm eating enough, i'm never hungry after a meal but most days i'm at least 500 cals under after exercise which is only walking, nothing too strenuous.

For breakfast I usually have a bowl of cheerios with non-fat milk and a piece of fruit. Then for lunch I usually have an open sandwhich (1 slice wheat bread) with salad, deli meat or 2 scrambled eggs and maybe some fruit to follow that.

Dinner is always lean protein with vegetables and a small serving of carbs (1/2 cup rice or pasta) or a slice of wheat bread.

I usually have almonds, pistachios, boiled eggs, carrot sticks with pb2, yogurt, fruit, low fat string cheese as snacks.

Suggestions on things that I can add to my meals to bump up my calories would be appreciated :)

Replies

  • heleine28
    heleine28 Posts: 34
    Try adding more calories to breakfast since it is the most important meal of the day... From what I can tell your barely consuming 250 calories for breakfast which you could bump up another 150 calories...For dinner eat what your eating but make the portions just a bit bigger...

    I don't know what your calorie goal is but 500 calories under sure doesn't sound good ecspecially if your using the MFP to track what you eat....
  • BackTatJIM
    BackTatJIM Posts: 1,140 Member
    Try adding more calories to breakfast since it is the most important meal of the day... From what I can tell your barely consuming 250 calories for breakfast which you could bump up another 150 calories...For dinner eat what your eating but make the portions just a bit bigger...

    I don't know what your calorie goal is but 500 calories under sure doesn't sound good ecspecially if your using the MFP to track what you eat....

    I just upped my calorie goal by about 500 calories and have been having the same problem, I really like the idea of eating more in the morning! By the time I eat my dinner I normally have almost 1,000 cals left and I don't want to stuff myself that late at night. great advice
  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    Up your breakfast calories and eat a few more ounces of your dinner protein.
  • warmachinejt
    warmachinejt Posts: 2,162 Member
    I don't know how people have cereal for breakfast. I have bacon, eggs, peanut butter sandwich and sometimes even grilled chicken. Also have the full servings of PB and almonds/peanuts. Don't just eat like half ounce or 1 tbsp of peanut butter.
  • Robin_Bin
    Robin_Bin Posts: 1,046 Member
    It's probably ok to be a little bit under, but 500 calories is a bit much... and you didn't ask for opinions about how many calories you eat. :smile:

    Add just a small amount to the things you're already eating. Instead of an open sandwich, how about closing it with a second slice of bread? Two eggs instead of one? More peanut butter? How are you doing on fats -- your body needs some? Instead of low-fat milk and cheese all the time, eat regular or 2% some of the time.

    As you say, fruit or vegetables are low calorie, so eating more won't up your calories much, but are you getting enough? The USDA estimates that young women should be eating about 2 cups of fruit and about 2 1/2 of vegetables a day. Depending on your goals, you can adjust with which ones you eat. For instance, cucumbers and celery for lower cal, avocado, beans, coconut for higher calories content. They're still lower than other foods, but much healthier than many other choices. Looks like you're generally eating healthy, can you eat just a bit more?

    Other foods you can add that are not necessarily as healthy, or at least not as good for amount of nutrition per calorie but still aren't "empty" calories, are honey, salad dressing (not diet, something like olive oil and vinegar), chocolate (anti-oxidents and some other good stuff as well as flavor), ice cream (cold in the summer, calcium). Add a bit of cheese or avocado to your salad. Have a slice of toast with fruit jam.

    Good luck!
  • kelzpop
    kelzpop Posts: 156 Member
    I make smoothies with peanut butter and greek yogurt, which creates a higher calorie smoothie. If I don't have it for breakfast, I usually have it for a snack after my workout.
  • HeidiHoMom
    HeidiHoMom Posts: 1,393 Member
    Eat full fat versions of things and eat slightly larger portions.
  • autumnk921
    autumnk921 Posts: 1,374 Member
    I have an issue with this too a lot of times...I drink protein shakes...They have enough calories to help out plus we all need protein...I drink chocolate ones so I get my sweet/chocolate fix as well....I also mix mine with 1% or skim milk to give it more calories...Also, my other go to is just plain peanuts...Very calorie dense with good fats...HTH :)
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    It sounds like you're eating quite well, here's some suggestions of extras that you could add to meals that wont' make you feel too full:
    - cheese - add a slice to your sandwich, or eat string cheese or Babybels as a snack.
    - avocado - add it to lunch or dinner or eat it on grainy bread as a snack.
    - olive oil - use it to cook your veggies or make dressing for your salad
    - Yoghurt - add some to your cereal at breakfast time or eat it with fruit for a snack
    - boiled eggs

    You could also increase portions slightly (2/3 cup of rice or pasta), a bit more meat or fish.

    I wouldn't get stressed about eating every last calorie, but 500 under is a bit too far in my opionion, so I think it's a good idea to bump up your intake slightly. Don't focus on restricting and dieting, try to put your energy into learning about healthy foods and portion sizes so you are in a good position to stay healthy for the long term.
  • pkfrankel
    pkfrankel Posts: 171 Member
    I looked at your diet for the last week. It looks like your shortfall comes during breakfast. Try whole wheat toast, english muffins, bagel thins (Thomas") with peanut butter and bananas. You can add 300 - 400 calories depending on what bread you eat.
  • reneeeeeh
    reneeeeeh Posts: 54
    Thanks for all the suggestions :) will try out some of your ideas
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