Making up the calories you burned exercising?

I have a problem...I love to exercise and I am very active; for example, every day next week I have a deficit of anywhere from 150 cals to 800 cals that I need to make up.

The problem is I'm not sure what to eat to account for all those calories! That's a LOT of extra food! 150 cals isn't bad, that's nice, that's good :)

It's the higher numbers like 650 and 800 that make me shake, haha.

I know I could easily run past a DQ and make up all 800 calories with half a milkshake, but I have two issue with that:
1. It makes my stomach hurt and makes me feel overall weighed down
2. It's not healthy, and then I fel guilty, not to mention unhealthy :P

So what can I possibly eat to make up for that deficit? I'd prefer it to be something healthy, although I am by no means opposed to a treat once in a while (just, the 800 calorie milkshake thing is too much, that's out of the question!) It also turns out that I have some ballet performances next week and I cannot be full when I dance - it makes me not feel well and I also feel droopy/tired and heavy.

So for example, on Wednesday I'll be at the theater from 1:00 to around 6:00 or later, so I'll need food with me. Most of my days worth, really. Plus, I'm exercising in the morning, and dancing burns calories. So what can I snack on that won't make me full but that will give me enough energy? I was thinking protein bars like cliff bars which have more calories than, say, luna bars (cliff has I think around 250? 300?) so that could be a whole lunch for me. What do you think?

One last thing - sorry if this is the wrong board to post this on. I figured since I am trying to make up calories burned through exercise that the most appropriate place to post this would be in the "Exercise" forum, but by all means feel free to move it if I messed up! :P

Thanks!

A nice peanut butter and banana sandwich would probably make a good dent in that, maybe a glass of milk on the side. Mmmmm

Great suggestion misstrange, I was going for something similar. I usually make up the deficit with nuts. They're tasty, high in protein and good fat, and pretty calorie rich. On a big deficit I get them honey-roasted (my favorite).

I also love any grocery store's 'make your own trail mix' bar.

I always make a point to eat something with potassium, usually a banana, before a workout.

Make sure to try the protein bars before taking them with you, I find some of them give me the same heavy feeling as a big meal (I make my own now).

Avocado? Eat meals with plenty of healthy fats, like salmon. If you can make your meals more calorie-dense, you'll need fewer snacks.

Dried fruit, nut butters, seeds, salad with dressing... if you go to the Weight Gainer's board there's a stickied post on high-calorie foods, it's sure to have heaps of healthy ideas for you.

I would eat cashews, almonds, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds mmmmm- I think you get the idea.

Thanks for all the ideas!! I actually did go to the Weight Gainers board for a look-see and the only thing was that a lot of what they recommended was creamy stuff, butter, etc. and I wasn't sure if that is healthy.

I mean, I wanted to ask here to make sure that the foods I will be eating aren't just empy calories but have something more than calories. I guess it's just strange for me to be looking to ADD calories on a weight loss diet haha.

Well, again, thanks for the ideas, I'll definitely look into the peanut butter thing. Has anyone tried cashew nut butter or almons butter? I'm just curious what you thought about them. I've never tried them but it should be interesting. I expect the almond butter tastes similar to marzipan?

"I also love any grocery store's 'make your own trail mix' bar."

Minda: what is that? I've never heard of a make your own trail mix bar? Sounds fun :)

Original Post by pballerina:

Well, again, thanks for the ideas, I'll definitely look into the peanut butter thing. Has anyone tried cashew nut butter or almons butter? I'm just curious what you thought about them. I've never tried them but it should be interesting. I expect the almond butter tastes similar to marzipan?

I haven't tried almond butter before but I'm keen to hear other's opinions also. Though I imagine almond butter is a lot more savory than marzipan... just because peanut butter is also savory (sigh, if only it tasted like reeces pieces, I might actually like it!) haha. Also, I think marzipan is mostly sugar whereas almond butter is mostly almonds... still, I haven't actually tried it. Anyone?

Maybe it depends on where you live, but several health food stores (like The Fresh Market) have an aisle where you make your own trail mix, and then just buy by the pound. So if you want chex, dried fruit, nuts, and candies: just dump it all in your bag. My fave; cherry vanilla granola, dried bananas, and choc. chips (just a few). Its sweet enough to be dessert.