Anybody getting 3,300+ calories a day?

[missionaryadvocate]

3,000 calories is around my maintenance (and I’m only around 140 lbs at 5’ 11”), but I’m struggling to figure out where to get the extra calories to bulk. YouTube seems mostly aimed at weight loss or guys are making gains with like 2,500 calories a day.

I struggle to keep fiber/volume down so that I can actually digest the food. I already eat around 80-100 g of nuts/seeds/nut butters a day (not sure if it’s unhealthy to eat too much) and avocados too. My main meals and snacks include rice, quinoa, oats, legumes, tofu, tempeh, various veggies and fruits, but I don’t think I can stomach larger portions of those. Just curious what your meals look like for those who are eating closer to 3,500 calories a day and where you pick up the extra calories.

 

[aderyn93]

@missionaryadvocate Extremely jealous. Mines about 1800 and i have a huge appetite. Tryjng to lose weight but I could kill 4k calories with ease

 

[student101]

@aderyn93 It sounds good in theory until you have to eat that everyday.

 

[aderyn93]

@student101 I guess having a low tdee is good for bulking but bad for losing weight

 

[student101]

@aderyn93 Its relatively similar, but yeah eating anything under 1500 kcals would leave me homicidal after 2 weeks.

 

[genuinedad1968]

@aderyn93 Me too

 

[godsgirl90]

@aderyn93 Pretty sure most people could. It’s why most Americans are overweight and a third are obese

 

[aderyn93]

@godsgirl90 The difference is I could eat that much just in rice and beans

 

[okinge]

@missionaryadvocate Carbs. Lots of carbs. Oatmeal, pasta, bread, coconut sugar. Some days I burn more than 3000 calories on the bike. I aim for 80 grams of simple sugar per hour while riding. Carbs are fuel. I'm not into strength training though, only cycling.

 

[vartikasinha]

@missionaryadvocate Sometimes I wish I could eat that much but then other times I remember how much food costs and I am happy with my 1800-2300 calorie range that I usually eat in

 

[seekeroftruth_2015]

@vartikasinha Ooh I feel this lol. I’m at 2500 cals right now for a lil bulk and the way my grocery bill has increased since starting trying to really budget it tho!!

 

[notalkb4coffee]

@vartikasinha Bulking at 2500-3000 and I am a poor gosh bless rice, beans and bananas.

 

[dubschanging]

@missionaryadvocate Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Easiest 500 calories.

 

[seekeroftruth_2015]

@dubschanging Yes agree, bagel with pb and jam

 

[ai1226]

@missionaryadvocate I had to go north of 3000 to finally start gaining. At one point I was just eating naan bread dipped in olive oil every day, but I backed that off once I got in the ballpark I wanted

 

[kiranlee]

@missionaryadvocate Cries in 5”1

 

[racholo]

@kiranlee 5’0 here. I feel your pain. Average sized people really don’t understand how little I have to eat to lose or maintain. It sounds ridiculous to them and I fully agree.

 

[matt1111]

@missionaryadvocate 3300…god damn. That’s a ton of exercise. Good for you.

 

[markdeleon]

@missionaryadvocate I get your pain. One quick way around this is to drink your calories but in a healthy way. E.g. make an oats+banana+chia+peanut butter+fruit/veggie+soymilk+protein powder smoothie, about ~600 calories worth, and drink it mid-day or before bed. Serious bodybuilders with insane metabolism even set an alarm at 1 am to wake up, cook and eat a quick high-protein meal, and go back to bed! Not saying you need to do that extreme, but you have to work with the body type you have. You can do it!

Edit: Drinking the smoothie with a straw makes it easier

 

[theresaflorida]

@missionaryadvocate Have you tried drinking your extra calories? My maintenance is over 3k per day and I start each day with a shake that gives me about 800 cals and 70g of protein. It’s a good way to make sure I start off the day on the right foot.