Vegan need help

Hi I have been a vegan for about 7 months now and am extremely active, most cal calculators say that i need between 2500 and 3000 just to maintain. The problem is i am very underweight and need to gain but i am having a tremendous time trying to get enough calories. On most days even when i try hard i can only manage about 2200. I just get full so fast even with about 5 meals a day and adding peanut butter/almond butter and other healthy fats to things. Any advice would be much appreciated.

guacamole!!! i always eat more calories than i think when i eat guacamole. i can eat 2 whole avocado worth and it doesn't make me feel like i've actually eaten that many calories.

up your calories gradually. if your not used to eating that much you won't be able to at first. but your stomach will expand.

definitely feeling the "upping calories gradually" i have tried to eat a whole lot at once and that totally back fires, i think it might be all that fiber. as far as guacamole goes i usually don't eat that much because i don't care for avocados that much. thanks for the advice though.

nutella? heh, it's pretty nutrition-less, but it's so easy to eat lots of it, if you're trying to make the cals... or could you find some way to swop the stuff in your meals for more caloric dense items?

would it help if you added a milkshake in as another 'meal'? they're pretty high cal and if you good items in them, they can be really healthy too. I personally like my milkshake with flaxseeds (i grind a quarter cup in), a banana, soy milk, chai and honey for flavor. (that's about 300cals). When i'm feeling particularly decadent, i put 5 oreos and chocolate syrup in with my milk  instead (about 400cals). :3

thanks maybe ill try adding a milkshake/smoothie somewhere because i am also kind of a health nut and i try to avoid things that bring me no nutritional value i.e. junk food

I would try eating more nuts, honey, and dense grains. My boyfriend has the same problem. I suggested some dense calories, nutrients rich and small portion food ideas for him which I think you can do the same.

I suggested

Breakfast (700-1000cals)

1/4 cup raisin, 2 tbsp pb, 1/4 mixed dried fruit, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp wheat bran, 1 tbsp flax seeds, 1 tbsp chia - it is about 700-1000 calories depending on the choices of pb (light/reg), and dried fruits 

Snack- nuts, seeds, fruits (500 cals worth)

Lunch (700 -1000 cals calories)

- flax crackers, hummus, avocados

- smoothie with hemp protein 

Dinner (1000)

- choose a grain that is high cal e.g. quinoa, amaranth, bulgar

- i like the first--> two 600-700 calories per cup, complete protein and lots of nurtients

Snack

- healthy cookies

first, to the last suggestion honey is not vegan so that won't exactly work. However there is a animal free alternative to honey called agave nectar. Anyways if your body has a hard time taking in more calories try working it in slowly. Possibly a 200-300 calorie increase in food consumption every 1-2 weeks, until you reach your ideal calorie consumption.

Yes, some vegans don't use honey. I see no harm, only benefits.

The bee populations are so low in Canada (and else where in the world) that  it would be beneficial to keep them as high as possible.  I think I would like to see everyone with a honey "hive" in their backyard. We are not enslaving them, they do their job no matter what.We are helping them prosper as urban environments sprawl. I think if people actually had a hive in their backyard it would be an awesome learning experience getting them in touch with food, how fragile the environment is, and appreciate these hard working bees that keep our vegetables growing.

I will probably be bashed for saying this, but that's what I believe.

Agave nectar is a good alternative if you believe honey is "wrong", it is also good because it has a low glycemic index!

great ideas. the breakfast is typically what i have on a daily basis any way(oatmeal is awesome)

are you sure quinoa has 600 cal per cup form what ive seen it has about the same as rice 200-250.

as far as protein powders go would you recommend hemp over others, i know there are a lot of soy ones but i have been trying to moderate and not overdose on the soy (i know i dont need the extra protein from powders but i think it will be a good way to add much needed cals)

and as far as healthy cookies go do you have any good recipes?

P.S. i dont mind eating honey if its already in something, but i do use agave nectar or black strap molasses(even healthier)

Original Post by conbread101:

Yes, some vegans don't use honey. I see no harm, only benefits.

The bee populations are so low in Canada (and else where in the world) that  it would be beneficial to keep them as high as possible.  I think I would like to see everyone with a honey "hive" in their backyard. We are not enslaving them, they do their job no matter what.We are helping them prosper as urban environments sprawl. I think if people actually had a hive in their backyard it would be an awesome learning experience getting them in touch with food, how fragile the environment is, and appreciate these hard working bees that keep our vegetables growing.

I will probably be bashed for saying this, but that's what I believe.

I don't really feel like getting into this, however if you looked into it you may find some of the things you just said are factually incorrect about the treatment of bees used for honey.

But really we don't need to get into that, because this is a simple logical issue. Being Vegan is not about whether or not the animals being used for our products are treated properly or not, it is that they are being USED. Vegans do not consume or use animal products, HONEY IS AN ANIMAL PRODUCT. Hence it is not and CAN NOT be Vegan.

A Vegan does not conciously eat animal products, hence people who conciously eat honey are not vegans, as much as they would like to call themselves that.

Whether it is ethical or not to eat honey is another debate I will NOT be getting into it. It is however a plain and simple fact that honey IS AN ANIMAL PRODUCT.

Anyone care to deny this?

Here we go again...  Can't we all just get along?

Well I think there are two types of vegans. But I will not go into this. I like to keep this a friendly debate... 

I suppose you could call me a raw vegetarian that doesn't eat eggs, cheese, dairy but has honey once in awhile from my backyard. I don't care for labels. I don't use veganism or raw vegetarianism as an "I am so superior" etc perhaps some people might though... That is besides the point...I use it merely to easily tell lay people what I mainly believe in.

Here is some ideas to challenge your beliefs. I notice you are in a car... that is driven no pun intended by animal and plant by-products from billions of years ago. You said "Vegans do not consume or use animal products". Do you use plastic? Do you have plastic in your home? That is made from petroleum--- animal by-product.Do you walk on grass? You are killing millions of little insects as you walk.

I use to be hardcore into that. It doesn't make ecological sense to me personally.

I am not trying to fuel the fire. I am just playing devils advocate.

Original Post by vegmatt:

great ideas. the breakfast is typically what i have on a daily basis any way(oatmeal is awesome)

are you sure quinoa has 600 cal per cup form what ive seen it has about the same as rice 200-250.

as far as protein powders go would you recommend hemp over others, i know there are a lot of soy ones but i have been trying to moderate and not overdose on the soy (i know i dont need the extra protein from powders but i think it will be a good way to add much needed cals)

and as far as healthy cookies go do you have any good recipes?

P.S. i dont mind eating honey if its already in something, but i do use agave nectar or black strap molasses(even healthier)

Quinoa def has 600+ cals a cup. Type it into calorie count search! Amaranth is the same.

I try to stay away from soy because they use hexane which is not good to extract the protein. I don't eat meat analogs anymore. Pretty much hemp seeds, nuts, hemp protein are where I get my protein from. Hemp has omegas 3-6-9 in the right ratios and has complete protein (meaning they have the essential amino acids). Not to mention raw. Omegas degrade with heat.

Some healthy cookies:

Here is one I like to make often. 

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 wheat bran

1/2 cocao powder

1/2 cup agave syrup

1/2 cup natural pb

2 tbsp coconut butter- but you can use flaxseed/or hemp seed oil (it will make it more moist choosing the latter)

2 tsp Himalayan salt

handful cocao nibs, or chocolate vegan chips, you can also add some other nuts etc

1. place oat and bran in a bowl

2. double broil other ingredients (except for the chips/nibs)

- i double broil because I am doing raw and it is low temp, but you could simmer it on low  straight in a pan, or microwave (Not that i recommend the microwave at all).

3. dump warm mixture in oatmeal, see if it is too dry or wet add a bit or wet or dry ingredient accordingly

4. throw in the chips and nibs... mmm

5. make little mountains, like drop cookies on a non-stick sheet

6. place in your fridge for 20 mins to set

7. eat!

Original Post by conbread101:

Well I think there are two types of vegans. But I will not go into this. I like to keep this a friendly debate... 

I suppose you could call me a raw vegetarian that doesn't eat eggs, cheese, dairy but has honey once in awhile from my backyard. I don't care for labels. I don't use veganism or raw vegetarianism as an "I am so superior" etc perhaps some people might though... That is besides the point...I use it merely to easily tell lay people what I mainly believe in.

Here is some ideas to challenge your beliefs. I notice you are in a car... that is driven no pun intended by animal and plant by-products from billions of years ago. You said "Vegans do not consume or use animal products". Do you use plastic? Do you have plastic in your home? That is made from petroleum--- animal by-product.Do you walk on grass? You are killing millions of little insects as you walk.

I use to be hardcore into that. It doesn't make ecological sense to me personally.

I am not trying to fuel the fire. I am just playing devils advocate.

wow, really? Fossil Fuels is that the best you could come up with?

You just said it yourself, you are a raw vegetarian that consumes honey. I have no problem with that statement. To however conciously consume honey and call yourself vegan is a logical fallacy.

Not that this matters, but you brought it up so I will clarify. That picture is from last year, I actually got rid of my car. My Bicycle is my main source of transportation. Are there some unavoidable animal products in certain things I use, yes of course there are. For example, tires are known to contain animal products. Not only do I ride a bicycle, but I also use the bus as a form of transportation.

There is  however something you are missing. Just as you made the point about walking on grass, certain things are just unavoidable. Honey however is not one of those things. You don't use honey unintentionally. You buy, use and  consume products that contain honey even when a viable alternative exists. Where as I can't walk on grass, or even the sidewalk without possibly killing insects you can make a concious decision whether or not to consume and/or purchase products which contain honey.

Are you really promoting the harvesting and domestication of an animal for the use of humans??????????????????????

That mindset is how we got into the mess we are in today. You do realize that bees USE their honey to survive right? It is THEIR honey. It is not ours to use as we see fit. As living beings they deserve self determination. They exist here only to exist, not to serve our needs.

Not only that, this isn't an issue of survival or necessity. It is purely an issue of selfish desires. So called Vegans eat honey because it is "easier" or more "convenient".

It is not an issue of being superior, it is an issue of being vegan, or not.

The exact definition courtesy of the vegan society....

"Veganism is a philosophy and lifestyle that seeks to exclude the use of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose.[1][2] Vegans endeavor not to use or consume animal products of any kind."

Lets change your statement a little bit...

"Yes, some vegans don't use Milk. I see no harm, only benefits.

The cow populations are so low in Canada (and else where in the world) that  it would be beneficial to keep them as high as possible.  I think I would like to see everyone with a dairy "cow" in their backyard. We are not enslaving them, they do their job no matter what.We are helping them prosper as urban environments sprawl. I think if people actually had a cow in their backyard it would be an awesome learning experience getting them in touch with food, how fragile the environment is, and appreciate these hard working animals that keep our vegetables growing."

See a problem here? now explain to me the difference, and how you would react to statement like that!?

Original Post by doedoebird:

nutella? heh, it's pretty nutrition-less, but it's so easy to eat lots of it, if you're trying to make the cals... or could you find some way to swop the stuff in your meals for more caloric dense items?

would it help if you added a milkshake in as another 'meal'? they're pretty high cal and if you good items in them, they can be really healthy too. I personally like my milkshake with flaxseeds (i grind a quarter cup in), a banana, soy milk, chai and honey for flavor. (that's about 300cals). When i'm feeling particularly decadent, i put 5 oreos and chocolate syrup in with my milk  instead (about 400cals). :3

 

Nutella has dairy in it. And oreos definitely do too. The chocolate syrup might also, depending. I'm guessing doedoebird isn't vegan.

Original Post by purpleorchid89:

Original Post by doedoebird:

nutella? heh, it's pretty nutrition-less, but it's so easy to eat lots of it, if you're trying to make the cals... or could you find some way to swop the stuff in your meals for more caloric dense items?

would it help if you added a milkshake in as another 'meal'? they're pretty high cal and if you good items in them, they can be really healthy too. I personally like my milkshake with flaxseeds (i grind a quarter cup in), a banana, soy milk, chai and honey for flavor. (that's about 300cals). When i'm feeling particularly decadent, i put 5 oreos and chocolate syrup in with my milk  instead (about 400cals). :3

 

Nutella has dairy in it. And oreos definitely do too. The chocolate syrup might also, depending. I'm guessing doedoebird isn't vegan.

I am not sure about Nutella, however Oreos in the states do not contain dairy.

Either way though, they are made by a **** company and should be avoided.

You can always get Newman O's

I said I call myself a vegan.. to LAY people. 

I think, not that it offends me, but your comments could come off as rude. There are nicer ways to give you POV. "wow, really? Fossil Fuels is that the best you could come up with?" - lines like these are unnecessary- keep debates clean to get your point across

I have a beehive in my backyard. I believe there is nothing wrong with helping sustain the bee population. Sure you could say it is their honey. I do not use it for convenience. I use it because there is an abundance. I guess if you wanted to label it a symbiotic relationship. I provide them a house. They provide me with some honey.

People's ideas evolve. I am sure you evolved.  Perhaps one day I may learn something different about bees, but the current research illustrates that they need all the help they can get. I am not missing something, nor do I plead ignorance. I understand all your points and I have though about them before. I've been veg for 15 years now.

I guess I am not as hard core into animal rights, rather the ecology side of things. 

Domesticated farm animals are terrible due to pollution. Bees on the other hand are not. Cows do not grow vegetables. I am pretty much done explaining this idea. 

There is nothing wrong with your ideas and I believe their is nothing wrong with mine. They are consistent with our current beliefs. You are just getting bogged down with terminology which I already clarified.

Original Post by conbread101:

Original Post by vegmatt:

great ideas. the breakfast is typically what i have on a daily basis any way(oatmeal is awesome)

are you sure quinoa has 600 cal per cup form what ive seen it has about the same as rice 200-250.

as far as protein powders go would you recommend hemp over others, i know there are a lot of soy ones but i have been trying to moderate and not overdose on the soy (i know i dont need the extra protein from powders but i think it will be a good way to add much needed cals)

and as far as healthy cookies go do you have any good recipes?

P.S. i dont mind eating honey if its already in something, but i do use agave nectar or black strap molasses(even healthier)

Quinoa def has 600+ cals a cup. Type it into calorie count search! Amaranth is the same.

I try to stay away from soy because they use hexane which is not good to extract the protein. I don't eat meat analogs anymore. Pretty much hemp seeds, nuts, hemp protein are where I get my protein from. Hemp has omegas 3-6-9 in the right ratios and has complete protein (meaning they have the essential amino acids). Not to mention raw. Omegas degrade with heat.

Some healthy cookies:

Here is one I like to make often.

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 wheat bran

1/2 cocao powder

1/2 cup agave syrup

1/2 cup natural pb

2 tbsp coconut butter- but you can use flaxseed/or hemp seed oil (it will make it more moist choosing the latter)

2 tsp Himalayan salt

handful cocao nibs, or chocolate vegan chips, you can also add some other nuts etc

1. place oat and bran in a bowl

2. double broil other ingredients (except for the chips/nibs)

- i double broil because I am doing raw and it is low temp, but you could simmer it on low straight in a pan, or microwave (Not that i recommend the microwave at all).

3. dump warm mixture in oatmeal, see if it is too dry or wet add a bit or wet or dry ingredient accordingly

4. throw in the chips and nibs... mmm

5. make little mountains, like drop cookies on a non-stick sheet

6. place in your fridge for 20 mins to set

7. eat!

As far as quinoa goes i guess it just matters how packed it is because you can fluff it up quite a bit.

Thanks for the recipe it looks pretty good ill have to try it

Original Post by conbread101:

I said I call myself a vegan.. to LAY people. 

I think, not that it offends me, but your comments could come off as rude. There are nicer ways to give you POV. "wow, really? Fossil Fuels is that the best you could come up with?" - lines like these are unnecessary- keep debates clean to get your point across

I have a beehive in my backyard. I believe there is nothing wrong with helping sustain the bee population. Sure you could say it is their honey. I do not use it for convenience. I use it because there is an abundance. I guess if you wanted to label it a symbiotic relationship. I provide them a house. They provide me with some honey.

People's ideas evolve. I am sure you evolved.  Perhaps one day I may learn something different about bees, but the current research illustrates that they need all the help they can get. I am not missing something, nor do I plead ignorance. I understand all your points and I have though about them before. I've been veg for 15 years now.

I guess I am not as hard core into animal rights, rather the ecology side of things. 

Domesticated farm animals are terrible due to pollution. Bees on the other hand are not. Cows do not grow vegetables. I am pretty much done explaining this idea. 

There is nothing wrong with your ideas and I believe their is nothing wrong with mine. They are consistent with our current beliefs. You are just getting bogged down with terminology which I already clarified.

 

You are not Vegan, simple as that. There really is nothing left to discuss.

How about laying off the judgments.