How can you know how much your eating without counting calories? Advice really needed please

HI - I really don't want to count calories - it does my head in and i can start to obsess. How can i actually be sure i am getting in 2500 calories a day? I really don't want to use measuring cups etc.....i don't think that "normal" people would do this. Basically what i want to know is would say 10 almonds be about 100 calories and a small peach about 40.....is this how everyone works it out? Your tips ans suggestions would be fantastic help:) Thank you

If you really want to get rid of obsessive calorie-counting, just make sure you have 6 good-sized meals/snacks a day, and use calorie-dense foods liberally -- e.g. oil, peanut butter, cheese.  If you don't gain the first few weeks then just add more.  However if you don't trsut yourself to eat at least 2500 then don't do this. 

ur severely underweight

either count or have someone else coulnt for u

"large" meals or portions will not be accurate, ur perception of foods is skewed, u need to count or have someone do it for u

thanks for being honest - i know i am underweight, but i feel ok i really do - and i can't imagine not eating the small amounts that i used to...i will have to count myself then and hopefully when i get back up to a normal weight i will be able to see things more clearly and not obssess about calories any more.

I just wanted to ask another question - i sometime get really reavenous and could eat anything and then other times - mainly in the afternoon i feel faint and light headed - is this a sign telling me  iam hungry as well? Or is it a sign that i need to eat a specific food group?

its a sign that ur hungry

also, if ur ravenous, eat!  always make sure u get at least 2500 but thats just the MINIMUM, eat more if ur still hungry

thanks - sorry for asking all these questions but i am panicking about gaining quite a bit over a week (which i know is stupid - its good thing) and i get stressed at eating so much - but i don't want a slow metabolism....i'm just really confused, and don't want to stress myself out too much or my body. I do feel a lot better after increasing what i eat. Thanks.

Are you seeing a nutritionist? This might be something she could help you with a lot.

With my nutritionist, I usually just write down approximate portion sizes - I measure some things, but not others. She adds up the calories and tells me if I need to add more food (she also weighs me).  Usually we don't talk about calories much, or at all.

If you're consistent, it's okay if you're a little bit over or under in your estimations, so long as your nutritionist thinks your food looks fine and you continue to gain steadily.

One option is to use an exchange meal plan made for you by a nutritionist.

In an exchange plan you don't have a certain number of calories to reach, but you need to reach your target with a specified number of portions of meat, vegetables, starches, fats etc.

The hesitation I have with an exchange plan is that you have to be vigilant about eating the correct serving size that your nutritionist recommends for each exchange, if you start to over-estimate then of course your calorie intake would be inadequate.

This might be a better option for you once you are more comfortable with gaining and less likely to try and "cheat" on your meal plan.

im jw why it is you came to calorie count then?

is ther someone else who can help you count ? my mum helps me . it may help to weigh things so you are getting enough. it is normal to feel so hungry your body is starved , it will try to get you eat as much as it can in order to get you to regain your health. it could also be your metabolism speeding up try to go with that hunger and make sure you get all the food groups in . its ok to eat when you are hungry h x

Thanks for your replies - does anyone have a sample 2500 calorie meal plan based on exchange system - i think this will work weel for me. If i know i have to have i carb and 1 fat etc - i will definately stick with it and will not have to worry about counting. My dietician has only given me a basic plan ie breakfast 1 serve of bread/cereal + 1 fruit + 1 dairy, lunch 1 bread/cereal + fruit and then dinner 2 bread/cereal + 1 dairy. I don't think it is 2500 calories thoough and I'm not too sure about snacks though or what i should be  aiming for? Thank you:)

Another option, if you live with a guardian/parent, is to have them count your food intake and let you know if you need to eat more.

It's not Maudsley (I didn't have any luck with it), as you dictate what you eat (within reason of course) but you have someone knowing how much your eating. Eat at or over your calorie goal- they say nothing. If you're under target, by say, 3PM or so, they get to serve your meals for the rest of the day.

Worked for me and my parents.