Need Help Meeting Daily Calorie Intake

[BigRed1212]

This may be an unusual question/post but I'm seeking ideas for increasing my daily calorie intake.  I predominately eat a paleo diet but struggle to get to my required calorie intake for losing weight.  I'm 6'2 and weigh 215 (target weight is 200).  My target calorie intake is anywhere from 2,600 - 3,200 calories based on my activity level.  I feel stuffed and that I force myself to eat and can barely reach 2,000 calories. My daily deficit is too large to lose weight and need some creative ideas/recipes to help boost my daily intake.   Has anyone experienced this?  Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

[HelenaFitbit]

Hey there @BigRed1212 ! Welcome to the forums  I know the epic @PaleoCrossfit can certainly help you on this! 

[PaleoCrossfit]

Thank you @HelenaFitbit for tagging me 🙂

@BigRed1212 What are you primarily eating? Vegetables are very low in calories, so I definitely understand your struggle. Sweet potatos are a fantastic source of calories, complete carbs, and many vitamins. (eat the skin too. I tend to cube mine, then bake for about 30 minutes).

Quinoa is also great. Many will argue whether or not it is paleo, but I'm a fan of it. I replace everything that would call for rice with Quinoa.

Pancakes. This is my absolute favorite. I alternate making mine with coconut flour and almond flour. There are SO many options as far as flavors go. I found a recipe a couple of weeks ago for "red velvet pancakes" that are made with beet root.

Sorry this post is kind of all over the place. If you can post your typical daily consumption, it might be easier to help!

[HelenaFitbit]

Thank you @PaleoCrossfit ! This is why you are epic 

[BigRed1212]

Thanks for the reply!  Part of my problem is that I'm creature of habit and tend to end the same things over and over.  I tend to lack creativity in the kitchen.  A typical day for me would include the following:

Breakfast - Green smoothie (kale, avocado, banana, apple, coconut milk) OR spinach omlet

Snack - i make a couple of paleo snacks on Sundays that tend to last me through the week.  The two I primarily make are a baked coconut pumpkin bar and a walnut/cocoa/coconut oil snack bar.  These give me some variety and different textures to snack on.

Lunch - will normally have leftovers from the night before.  could be something like paleo chili or leftover chicken/fish/beef that I'll eat over a salad

Afternoon snack - same as above.

Dinner - variety of meat/vegetables.

I end up with about 400 calories at breakfast, 200 for snack, 350 at lunch, 200 for snack, and 500 at dinner.  That brings me to 1,650 on the day.

I also do crossfit 4-5 times a week which drives my calorie intake needs considerably.  Its those days that I need 2,700 calories just to meet my needed deficit.  I'm falling way short on that.  I'm not hungry and feel forced to eat to try and reach the needed calories.  That why I was hoping for some quick, high calorie, healthy/paleo options that can help me reach my needed calories without feeling like I'm going to explode. 

Thanks again!!

[PaleoCrossfit]

@BigRed1212 you and I sound like almost the exact same person.

For your smoothies in the morning (that's my breakfast too!), try adding some egg whites. Blended up, you can't even tell you've added it. That will add about 50 calories, but also about 10-12 grams of protein. Also, have you considered adding a protein powder to your smoothie? Some mornings I do, some I don't.

Add more carbs to your lunch or dinner. Again, sweet potatos seriously are a life changer (not to mention, they really help with your overall engery during a WOD).

I tend to eat a lot of almonds, but you could even make a trail mix that you bring and eat as an extra snack. (I'd go with dried aprocots, dates, almonds, pecans, cashews, and dark chocolate [dairy free] chocolate chips). Even half a cup a day would be noticeable.

I eat very little fruit (just not much of a fan), but I know a lot of people eat an apple with nut butter on it before working out.

I, too, am a creature of habit. Trying new things gets really annoying, especially with as time consuming as making it would be.

Let me know if there are any specific recipes you might want to try. I've perfected pancakes, so if that's something you're interested in I'd be happy to give you some of my recipes.

Also! If you want, follow me on instagram here. I post a LOT of food.