Having trouble eating more calories...

[millalyte86]

So I've been gaining weight for the last few month and I wasn't sure why. I just figure since I had a few extra cookies around the holidays or something. I always gain weight very easily. But even after new years I still went up a couple lbs. and I'm having trouble getting them off. I decided to track my calories for a few days and it said I only ate anywhere from 1000- 1200 calories. I'm 5'7 and currently weigh about 160 lbs. (was about 152 lbs. a few months ago). I workout 5-6 days a week (3 days cardio, 3 days weights). I figured out that I'm supposed to eat atleast 1680 calories a day.

So i've been trying to eat more but its HARD! I can't figure out how to get all the calories in while still eating clean and healthy. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Today I wrote out my meal plan and I'm at about 1300 and can't find where or when to consume more calories. HELP!

Thanks!

Laur

 

[tlstot]

Try to eat foods that are more calorie-dense. Like peanut butter, nuts, ect. You only need a little bit to add up to 200 or so cals. HTH.

 

[orphylea]

ITA- nuts. Add a handful of sunflower seeds to your salad or ground flax seeds to your oatmeal. Eat a spoon of natural peanut butter on a whole wheat tortilla. Or try a protein drink or some kind, or a protein bar. It can be hard to eat a lot of calories when you're eating healthy food. But I manage.

 

[kathryn]

Avocados are very healthy and calorie dense.

Try adding a teaspoonful of coconut oil to your smoothies (unrefined, extra virgin: it should smell like coconut. If it doesn't smell like much of anything, it is very processed).

 

[kryptychyck]

have you had a physical lately?

Hi,

Check with a registered dietician or nutritionist and your doctor as well. They can do tests and calculate your needs to see what is missing from your diet and what you need based on your activity level. It would be helpful to them to keep a food journal of what you are eating, how much, and when you are consuming meals. It would also be helpful to keep an activities journal too. You exercise a lot which is good, but perhaps you have a busy life and are running around a lot. That also needs to be factored in your nutrition.

There are new blood tests now that can detect how much of the nutrients (vitamins and minerals) are in your blood. My GP recommended it to me. Now I know my insurance does not cover it and it does cost $150 (at my doctor's office). However, I am going to have it done when I get my physical this year.

Have you had your thyroid checked? Don't settle for just bloodwork either. They found that I had an enlarged thyroid through an ultrasound - my bloodwork came back normal!

HTH and good luck!