STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

cahabo · Kate Spade

Healthy calories?

calico · Kenneth Cole

Off the top of my head, I think nuts are pretty high in calories, and it's good fat that you are consuming.

Also, because I love it, I would start eating Mediterranean/Greek yogurt (it's got a higher fat content) because it is soooo yummy and you can buy really good quality with the good bacteria from higher end grocery stores (the one we have here is the brand Liberte, I highly reccomend it). I don't think that is necessarily "good fat", but I've known people that have increased their caloric intake for whatever reason and their doctor has recommended a higher fat milk, for example.

Based on your post, it sounds like you might be guessing the number of calories you need to consume. If you're not sure, I've used the website www.fitday.com which allows you to put in your weight, activities, weight loss/gain goals and it tells you the number of calories you burn on a daily basis and the number you should therefore be consuming. Of course, it's not foolproof and the most reliable source would be a nutritionist or doctor.

ETA: I think there's lots of things you can eat to increase your calories, but the most important thing is to avoid processed stuff, and things that are high in calories because of processed sugars or being deep-fried, etc. But that's just what I go by...

-- Edited by calico at 20:10, 2008-10-03

-- Edited by calico at 20:11, 2008-10-03

Cortney1982 · Chanel

Hmm..maybe I should see what I'm taking in. When I was at the doctor the other day my weight/height ratio wasn't even on the chart, slightly embarrasing. I've been trying to figure out how to put on weight without eating or drinking anything nasty. All I can think of is pasta and meat.

Farrah · Marc Jacobs

Why do you think you need to consume 2000 calories a day? Are you extremely active? Healthy intake for a woman is usually 1200-1800 depending on activity level. The only people that I know that consume more than 1800 are marathoners (and we are talking Boston marathon marathoners so they are hardcore). I really think that you should consult a nutritionist if you are serious about figuring this out. You want to ensure that you are doing what is best for your body type and activity level. HTH!

cahabo · Kate Spade

Farrah wrote:

Why do you think you need to consume 2000 calories a day? Are you extremely active? Healthy intake for a woman is usually 1200-1800 depending on activity level. The only people that I know that consume more than 1800 are marathoners (and we are talking Boston marathon marathoners so they are hardcore). I really think that you should consult a nutritionist if you are serious about figuring this out. You want to ensure that you are doing what is best for your body type and activity level. HTH!

Hmmm. A chart I looked at showed that I need at least 2000 calories for a moderate activity level. I was also thinking along the lines that if someone wanted to lose weight they would reduce their calorie intake, so I should do the opposite to gain weight. I'm not too obsessed about it, so I'll just try to adjust my diet myself and see if it gets me the results I want.

Kelly · Hermes

Farrah - seriously? marathoners only eat 1800/day? I thought the standard was around 2,000.

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

ttara123 wrote:

Farrah - seriously? marathoners only eat 1800/day? I thought the standard was around 2,000.

Same here. I would think that a marathoner would need a lot more than 1800 a day. I thought most women, depending on size, activity level, and age, needed at the very least between 1600-2000, maybe more. My doctor told me that if one wants to lose weight, they shouldn't be consuming more than 1200-1400 calories, and that is to lose weight.

-- Edited by wetbandit42 at 17:00, 2008-10-05

Farrah · Marc Jacobs

ttara123 wrote:

Farrah - seriously? marathoners only eat 1800/day? I thought the standard was around 2,000.

I actually said that the only people that I know that eat MORE than 1800 calories a day are marathoners.

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

Maybe you should see a nutrionist? Iam sure they would be able to help you come up with a healthy diet plan that would benefit you.

As for healthy calories, always think whole foods. Avoid the processed crap.

Suasoria · Chanel

I put very little stock in caloric intake as a measure of meeting appropriate diet/nutrition standards. In addition to nuts, olives, avocados, coconut milk/oil are all healthy sources of fat.

Kelly · Hermes

Farrah wrote:

ttara123 wrote:

Farrah - seriously? marathoners only eat 1800/day? I thought the standard was around 2,000.

I actually said that the only people that I know that eat MORE than 1800 calories a day are marathoners.

Ah, I misread. I'm still surprised, though. I thought 2k was the standard for anyone. I have no idea how many calories I eat, so I guess I don't even know what "normal" is for me, I just thought that was the accepted average.

Apparently there's a lot I don't know about nutrition :)

fairywings · Dooney & Bourke

I would say stick to good fats, like olive oils, avocados, nuts. Cheese is also high in calories but at least you're getting calcium and it's yummy. How about peanut butter? It's high in protein and calories, but just make sure you're not loading up on a ton of sugar. I think the trick to eating enough calories is to eat when you're hungry and when you feel full, stop eating. Your body will determine how many calories you need. If you feel like you're not getting enough vitamins in your food however, maybe you should look into a multivitamin. Or if you are feel sluggish throughout the day and you feel like you're not getting enough calories to give you energy, evaluate what exactly you're eating. Carbs will spike your blood sugar level and then leave you feeling tired and worn out. Caffeine will do the same thing. Whenever I am feeling like I'm not eating enough to feel good, I always get a smoothie, the fruit is good for you and you can get some protein in it as well.

Elle · Hermes

The thing about generalizations and blanket statements in medicine and/or nutrition is that very few of them apply to everyone. Everyone is different, and it doesn't do too much good to look only at generic guidelines in Cahabo's situation. Cahabo, your metabolism obviously runs very high and/or you are very active (which I imagine you must with 2 little ones!) so your personal need for calories is going to be higher than someone else without those genetic/life factors. If your body is pushing out 2000 calories a day, you're going to need more than that to gain weight. Calories in must be higher than calories out, and while that concept is simple I know it can't be easy to feel like that means you need to eat when you're not hungry!

I agree with the previous suggestions for whole foods and healthy fats. However, the low-carb thing isn't something that I think you'd need to worry about. Carbs are fine, especially if you're not diabetic or trying to lose weight, as long as they're whole grains and not a bunch of refined sugar and white bread (those are the bad, blood sugar-spiking kind). Oats, brown rice, etc are great sources of fiber and should definitely be in your diet enough to help your body keep the increased fat intake, however 'good' it is, in check in the places it shouldn't be (like your arteries!). Just try to keep your intake of animal fats and trans fats in check!

I'd suggest making an appointment with a nutritionist. Doctors are notoriously in the dark in that area because they just don't receive the training for it, and a nutritionist could help you with meal plans and target calories for your specific needs better than any of us could. I think they're usually pretty inexpensive to see (less than $50 per session I think) and many do phone appointments after they've seen you in person.

subwolley · Kate Spade

cahabo wrote:
For me being so thin, I think I need at least 2000 calories a day.

I think thin people tend to need more calories because they usually have a faster metabolism.

I myself am thin and this is my daily eating habit: Eat a filling breakfast, have a mid-morning snack, eat lunch, have an afternoon snack, and then eat dinner. But everything I eat needs to be healthy and filling. If I don't stick this schedule, I get super hungry and end up eating junk food, which doesn't do a good job of keeping me full.