Only 900 calories a day?!?

I am a piscine vegetarian (i may have made that title up :] ha), and recently I have started to weed out processed carbohydrates from my diet. I have replaced them with more fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed grains. My body is very sensitive to dairy products, so the only dairy I really eat is yogurt (because I love it!). The lack of dairy also makes it hard to get my calories up.  Now, as I have begun to see my calorie intake, I have realized that it is no where near the level it should be. The first day that I wrote down the foods I had eaten it was only at 900 calories! I was floored, considering that I had felt very satisfied after each meal, and Im not a "toothpick" in the least bit. I love to eat so it's definitely not a deprivation diet, but Im not sure how to fix this. Lately, I have been trying to cook with olive oil and eating more nuts, but I need more than just that! Any advice? I would love some help!

yeah, my advice is get some help for your orthorexia nervosa.... google it

Check out the weight gain forum - they have tons of suggestions for foods that are healthy yet higher in calories. Additionally, try planning your food in advance for a few days, making sure that you are reaching your caloric requirements every day.

I eat a similar diet (I am pescatarian, lactose intolerant, and generally avoid processed carbs), and have no problem getting to my required 1500-1800 calories, thanks to my love of avocados, walnuts, and full fat Greek yogurt!

Hey there,

I would suggest adding things like black beans, red beans and chickpeas to salads/stews/soups etc. Almonds, avacado and sunflower seeds are also great additions. Also, Quinoa and Brown Rice are great complex, non-processed carb sources with a large amount of calories per serving. I've recently been baking my own whole wheat bread. I know whats in it, (no chemicals, Xantham Gum etc) and it's delish!

Original Post by fidget84:

yeah, my advice is get some help for your orthorexia nervosa.... google it

latin was enough to crack that code...no google needed

but Im really not compulsive about eating correctly. If i dont eat like this my digestive system will go nuts. heard of Crohn's disease? ....google it.

Original Post by theholla:

Check out the weight gain forum - they have tons of suggestions for foods that are healthy yet higher in calories. Additionally, try planning your food in advance for a few days, making sure that you are reaching your caloric requirements every day.

I eat a similar diet (I am pescatarian, lactose intolerant, and generally avoid processed carbs), and have no problem getting to my required 1500-1800 calories, thanks to my love of avocados, walnuts, and full fat Greek yogurt!

Planning my meals out in advanced is a very good idea! thank you for your help!

and the avocado and walnut suggestion...love it! 

I found a forum on Weight gain for Vegetarian list is below.

• Avocado, nuts, peanut butter/ soy nut butter, big bananas, dried fruit.
• pasta, potatoes, lentils and (brown) rice, (vegetarian) lasagne
• whole grains such as quinoa, amyranth, barley, brown and brown and wild rices are high in cals(between 170-250 per serving)
• sesame seeds, flax, wheat germ, chopped nuts and dried fruits and berries
• hummus,most granola/granola bars
• Lara Bars,  They are totally natural, made of just dried fruits and nuts, and quite calorie dense.

Hope this helps,

sorry to hear about nasty crohns.... i had an ED and heard many girls tryn to fob off restriction by sayn they're vegan!

i stand uttterly corrected and apologise! i second the weight gain forum, its excellent!

jhoustont, you have Crohn's disease?

I think 7 Mango's would put you over 900 calories a day and that's not a lot of food.

Original Post by fourfolks:

jhoustont, you have Crohn's disease?

I think 7 Mango's would put you over 900 calories a day and that's not a lot of food.

unfortunately so :/

Thank you everyone for all your help! 

The advice will go into action immediately! :]

Dried fruit, maybe fruit juices were a couple ideas I didn't see posted here yet.  Soy milk?

Original Post by fourfolks:

jhoustont, you have Crohn's disease?

I think 7 Mango's would put you over 900 calories a day and that's not a lot of food.

Hypothetically, if someone was anorexic but were also vegan, and not just using it as an excuse to not eat, would they still make you eat loads of dairy, eggs and meat?

I have no idea what a doctor would do, but a calorie is a calorie.  So if someone can get enough calories from a vegan diet, that is properly organized for nutrients, then I don't think it would be a problem. 

How long could you eat 900 calories a day, before your body started robbing your bones and bone marrow for nutrients?

Not very long at all. That was why a red flag went straight up when I saw my intake. It really scared me to see how little I was getting. I was still eating good foods (fruits, vegetables, oats ect.) but I didnt notice how few calories it truly was. Cutting out bad carbs decreases calories dramatically and I hadnt realized the importance of good fats and high protein food. I really try to listen to my tummy when i eat since Crohn's really takes a toll on how i feel (and if ill be able to move for the rest of the day or not). And honestly, not eating a lot of food made my digestive system feel better. Unfortunately, its NOT a solution to my problem.