I can't get my calories to where they should be, any suggestions welcome!

[patsal 1]

A typical day for me when I am using solids is around 600-800 calories I need to get that to 1000-1200. How can I do that?

A typical on solids day for me would be

Breakfast: 1/2 packet of high fiber/high Protein cream of wheat with a scoop of powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury powder to boost the protein(175 cals, 23.5 grams of protein)

or

1/4 cup egg substitute with 1 tablespoon chopped spinach, chopped mushrooms and 1 oz of lowfat cheese

or (about 100 cals, 14.5 grams of protein)

just a Protein shake if I am in a huge hurry or if I am feeling tight (180 cals, 28 grams of protein)

snack of a 40z Greek yogurt if I am hungry, nothing if I am not (110 cals, 10 grams of protein)

lunch

1-2 ounces of chicken or turkey or 2.6 ounces of tuna

1 tablespoon of a starch, 1 tabelspoon of a veggie

(usually 120-220 in calories and 18 grams of protein)

Snack

Hummus or a shake if I am hungry

(50 cals and 1 gram Protein or 100 cals and 20 grams of protein)

dinner

1-2 ounces chicken, turkey, beef or tuna

1-2 tbsp of starch usually couscous or mashed potatoes)

1-2 tbsp of veggies

(150-200 calories and about 20 grams of protein)

If I am under protein calories I will add an additonal shake to the day either made with milk for 28 grams of protein (180 cals), or with Water for 20 grams of protein (100 cals).

Thanks for any ideas you can share with me!

[Awkward customer 5]

Gosh, there are so many ways to increase it! I don't cook properly so I couldn't offer a recipe, but I snack on a pound of wafer thin turkey through the day = 400 calories. That would give you something low fat to snack on the whole day.

[vlp1968 83]

Can you force yourself to down 2 protien shakes a day, even if your not hungry? Just a thought.

[bella71 0]

How about increasing your Protein to 4oz at lunch and dinner?

[BetsyB 9]

When you say your calories "should" be at 1000-1200, where did the number come from? I'm not asking snarkily--I'm asking because I'm about a month further out than you, eat around 800 calories/day (1000 on a BIG day), and have gotten nothing resembling concern from my doctor. My nutrient intake is good, I'm losing well, and there just doesn't seem to be the need to shake things up at this point.

Does your doctor/ nutritionist want you to aim for that? If so, I wonder if you're pushing now to achieve something that will be much more comfortable for you a little farther down the road. My stomach capacity has gradually increased, even as restriction has increased---I can "hold" a bit more, but stay fuller longer. The former was really a function of time.

If you really want to bump up your calorie intake--the best way to get more calories is to increase serving sizes of Protein and grain and add a little heart-healthy fat. You may find, though, that you have to work up to this--don't be discouraged!

Please don't switch your lean choices for full-fat choices, though--you don't want to pay for it with blood vessel damage down the road.

[JJLaw08 4]

I don't know about other doctors, but mine wants us to get 1000-1200 cal. a day. I've always heard your metobolism wouldn't be so good if you didn't give your body enough calories. I don't know.

[jensmallwood 0]

Are you full on this amount of food? If you could eat more, I'd recommend bringing lunch and dinner up to 3 oz of Protein, and 1/4 cup of starch (whole grain preferably) and 1/4 c of veggies. I really don't think you can get proper Vitamins and minerals from 3 Tablespoons of veggies for a day.

If you are full, you could add a real egg instead of substitute (egg yolks have fantastic Vitamins in them) and cook it in a little heart healthy oil.

[patsal 1]

Wednesday when I went for my fill the PA went over my calories with me and said to be sure they are between 1000-1200. She did notice I was falling short when we discussed what I was eating and when she downloaded what I was tracking from the realize my success site. I do not have anything resembling restriction yet, so yes I guess I can increase the amount of protien, starch and veggie that I portion out. Usually I do get my full signal by the time I complete my usual dinner and lunch, so I thought I should stop eating to get my habits in line for full restriction. Before fill I was getting a hunger signal about 3 hours after eating. Now that I have had my fill I am back to closer to 4. I know when I have too much sodium I retain Water wicked bad so that holds up weight loss and I stear clear of processsed foods. Thanks for the ideas so far!