How many calories do I need?

I'm getting over an eating disorder (but I don't need to gain anymore weight, I'm 5' 5'' 142). For the past 6 months I have been gaining, and then later maintaining, on 1400 - 1500 calories. About a week ago I began to get REALLY hungry, so I increased to 2200. I did not gain any weight, and thought that this was my metabolism finally catching up. However, now I am beginning to feel fat. I am no longer hungry. Infact, I feel like I am eating way too much food. Should I cut back until I am hungry again? Or is this just unrelated bloating, or something? 

If you're maintaining on 2200 then eat 2200. Don't cut back, especially if you have an ED history.

If you're recovering from an eating disorder, go with whatever you've been advised.  It's a tough one really.... On the one hand, you shouldn't be counting calories because being conscious of a number is a big factor in making you feel like you're 'eating way too much food'...    On the other hand, if your natural inclination is to undereat because of your eating disorder then you need to be absolutely sure you're getting enough to eat... back to calorie counting.

If you've got access to dietary advice as part of your treatment talk to them about the bloating and about the calorie-counting.  See if there's a way to get a happier balance in your diet.   There are ways to make sure you're getting enough to eat that don't involve calorie counting but instead involve thinking about 'portions' and 'food groups'.  More visual and less numerical. 

Seems like I'm recommending this site a lot at the moment - www.foodpyramid.gov. Obviously if you have a support team to work with, go with their advice above all else, but if not you could check this out cos it's all about portions and less about calories. I'm recovering from an ED myself and I'm really finding it very beneficial to have stopped counting and just making sure I'm getting enough food this way. Good luck :) And congratulations with all you've achieved so far in overcoming your ED

First, hats off to you for your progress thus far!!  The only thing I would like to add here is that if your feeling bloated it could be your taking in too many sugars, salts and/or carbs, not necessarily a calorie counting thing.  Try having a little protein in every meal, this will help you feel full longer without the bloating feeling.  Also you may want to compute your BMR to find out what your calorie intake should be to maintain your current weight.  Here is a nice tool I found online http://www.global-fitness.com/BMR_calc.php. Hope that helps!!

Original Post by raspberrydreams:

www.foodpyramid.gov.

Even better than http://mypyramid.gov is

 http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/w hat-should-you-eat/pyramid/

your local gym can give you an accurate assessment ( D  you have a lifetime fitness) near you?  They do some stuff with masks and breathing adn running adn sitting and can tell you exactly how many calories you need to maintain....... it costs about 180.00 but well worth it if it will give you peace of mind and allow you not to trigger back into the ED.  Also, you jnow is there a chance you could be pregnant?  i ate like a feind when I was and gained little.

R

OH MY GOD I AM NOT PREGNANT!!!!! I am 15 and have never been kissed! Coincidentally, though, I did miss my period this month...

Perhaps it's just coming late, and this is the preliminary bloating?