stop the salad?

Anyone else tryin to increase fat/cals find that they have to really cut back/stop eating salads for now?  Salads used to be my staple food (very filling, low cal), and now that I am consciously trying to add fat and cals, I have to try and NOT eat salad, because then I am not hungry for the food I NEED to eat.  I know I could add fat and cals to the salad, I guess, but still, have had to cut back!  weird, huh?

I am also much more THIRSTY since eating more nutrient dense food.  Is this common? Is it b/c I was always super hydrated eating tons of raw veggies and salads?

I'm not gaining, but I can make a pretty high calorie salad for lunch when I feel like it.

The problem I have is finding a carbohydrate to make it balanced. It's easy to add a few hundred calories with fats - a couple of tablespoons of full-fat dressing, olive oil, pesto, avocado, nuts, seeds, or cheese - and I also find it pretty easy to find protein sources to add in like chicken, bacon, tuna, eggs, beans or chickpeas.

If you love salads, you could try eating them as a side dish to your main meal. Either that or make a concerted effort to add enough calories and eat a roll or sandwich on the side?

However, if eating food other than salads is scary to you, that's all the more reason to cut back on salads and eat other things. No food is worth being afraid of and getting out of your comfort zone, trying new things and getting over "fear foods" is a great way to challenge yourself and get back to a healthier relationship with food.

I am not sure about why you are thirsty. Are the foods you're eating containing more salt? I think (but don't quote me) that carbohydrates require more water for your body to process than protein or fat, so if you have increased your carbohydrate intake you might be needing more water as well. Like I said, not so sure on that last point.

Anyone gaining weight and needing to take in more calories is going to cut back on the vegetables and salads and increase the other foods they eat.  Very simply put.... 1oz of almonds is 150 cals and is a pretty small mouthful.   150 cals of broccoli on the other hand would be a thumping 1lb! You wouldn't be able to eat much else after you'd had a lb of broccoli.  So it's not 'weird' at all to cut back on salads..... makes perfect sense.

Eating more normally means that your digestion has more work to do.  Fluids are removed in the digestion process which is everyone needs a litre or two of water a day.   If your new food choices include more salt or sugar that would also make you feel thirstier.

I just responded to the fruts and veg post that is similar. The thirst issue unless you feel it is extreme could be from having more food in general so you need to wash it down. Also fruits/veggies if you were eating a lot before contain water so if you switch it took foods like pretzels you may need more actual fluids to replace what would of been given to you through the veggies.