My dh just recently starting using fitday and we've come to find out that he's not getting in anywhere enough calories for his size.
He is looking to gain some lean muscle mass and start bulking up. He's VERY thin - 6'4 and 180 pounds at most. Now we know why - he doesn't eat enough!
We have the workout part down great now - he lifts 4 times/week and is making great progress in strength gains.
Now we need to tackle the food piece. We want to do this carefully though because he did start putting on weight last year and it went all around his middle.
I've been trying to add in extra snacks for him during the day - a mid morning one and 1 -2 more snacks in the afternoon. He's been doing dried fruit, nuts, seeds and high fiber cereals; fresh fruit; cereal bars, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc... (He also wasn't getting in enough fiber).
The problem is that he has high blood pressure and is already on the borderline of having high cholesterol so we really need to watch his fat intake.
So, I basically I need more ideas for calorie dense foods but that are also low in fat, low in cholesterol and low in sodium.
We already decided to buy a juicer so we can make all kinds of power drinks/shakes so hopefully that will help some too.
(As an aside, it is just about killing me entering in his stuff into fitday and trying to find ways to get in MORE healthy calories when I'm the total opposite, trying to manage my nutritional needs on so few calories. The ironies of life!)
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
I've discovered that oats, nuts and seeds are my friends : ) My dh was coming in today at only 1500 calories for the entire day but with a couple of brazil nuts plus a dessert made out of pear and rolled oats, we're back to a reasonable amount of calories for him today.
Maybe this won't be so hard after all!
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
quote:Originally posted by Bee: My dh LOVES those and goes through them like crazy. That's why he suggested getting a juicer (the only we are looking at is only $80) because in the long run it will save us money ; )
You are a lucky woman to find something he loves . Happy juicing!
Denise
Posts: 8748 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
[QUOTE]Originally posted by GoingSkiing: Before you invest $$$ in a juicer... (unless you want one for yourself )...
You may want to try buying some Naked Juices (or something comprable) and low sodium V8.
/QUOTE]
My dh LOVES those and goes through them like crazy. That's why he suggested getting a juicer (the only we are looking at is only $80) because in the long run it will save us money ; )
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Before you invest $$$ in a juicer... (unless you want one for yourself )...
You may want to try buying some Naked Juices (or something comprable) and low sodium V8.
My husband said he would rather have juice too. He bought himself one of the Naked juices and really liked it and was really excited to find a fruit/healthy thing that he liked. I bought 4 of them and put them in the fridge. They are really expensive... but less than a juicer...
He didn't drink them. They went bad. I reminded him twice a day to please take them to work or did he want one with breakfast or did he want one after dinner. He just never felt like having one, and they went bad. Two cans of V8 have been in the fridge for 2 months now.
Every person has to hear that thing in their own head that goes "click" and "I can't keep eating like this". You can't make them hear the click. As frustrating as it is...
Denise
Posts: 8748 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
quote:Originally posted by Bee: Dh isn't even close to getting in 5 a day...
Neither is mine. I've found that you can give them the information... but you can't make them eat it (or drink it). I put fruit on the table at breakfast and vegs on the table at dinner... that is all I can do.
dh is out in the world on his own most of the day, if he would rather have a cookie than an apple, that's his choice.
Denise
Posts: 8748 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
quote:Originally posted by GoingSkiing: Fruit and/or vegetable juice is not going to add a lot of calories - if calories are what you are looking for.
This part is for more of the fiber, vitamins and minerals. Dh isn't even close to getting in 5 a day and he'd rather drink his fruits and veggies than eat them. I thought this would be a good way to get them into him (plus I've wanted a juicer to make veggie based sauces).
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
quote:Originally posted by Bee: Dh actually likes the pulp so I was thinking of taking out the seeds and putting the pulp and skin back into the juice. Would that work?
I take a whole orange (minus the peel) and twirl it in the blender with yogurt all the time.
Fruit and/or vegetable juice is not going to add a lot of calories - if calories are what you are looking for.
Denise
Posts: 8748 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
quote:Originally posted by Sandy: Hi Bee, You mentioned that your dh needed fiber and quality calories. We looked into a juicer a few years back and decided not to buy because of the "fiber issue." I know that juice is great, but we went with a Vitamix- very high powered blender that they use at Whole Foods and other smoothie places to make smoothies. http://www.vitamix.com It is amazing how many great fruit and veggie drink we make. They are totally smooth and the nutrition is much better than with a juicer given the fact that you are eating the whole food.
Sounds great Sandy but WAY out of the price range at this point. Dh actually likes the pulp so I was thinking of taking out the seeds and putting the pulp and skin back into the juice. Would that work? If need be, I could put that stuff through our blender.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Hi Bee, You mentioned that your dh needed fiber and quality calories. We looked into a juicer a few years back and decided not to buy because of the "fiber issue." I know that juice is great, but we went with a Vitamix- very high powered blender that they use at Whole Foods and other smoothie places to make smoothies. www.vitamix.com It is amazing how many great fruit and veggie drink we make. They are totally smooth and the nutrition is much better than with a juicer given the fact that you are eating the whole food.
quote:Originally posted by Bee: He has started losing weight - that's the problem.
He is really close to the edge of too thin. The ww BMI chart puts a bmi of below 20 as too thin. I'm not sure what to tell you... Healthy fats, nuts, seeds, etc.
Best wishes... I'm sure you will figure it out. Glad today was a good eating day!
Denise
Posts: 8748 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
[QUOTE]Originally posted by GoingSkiing: If dh is exercising and not losing weight... it would seem that he is eating the right number of calories. QUOTE]
He has started losing weight - that's the problem.
I think what happened was when he started eating healthier (he was eating a lot of fried garbage for lunch) his calories dipped too low. I just need to find a way to replace those empty, fat ladden calories with healthy, calories.
He did really well today though - healthy trail mix (combo of kashi cereal, walnuts and dried foods) for snack and some e.v.o.o. on his pasta with just a slightly larger portion.
Hopefully it will just take these type of small modifications to get this balanced out.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
I've never seen one single study the weighing more has any HEALTH benefits. Generally, the recommendation is that people who are a healthy weight should try and maintain that weight through out their life times.
If dh is exercising and not losing weight... it would seem that he is eating the right number of calories.
There are studies that seem to show that people who eat fewer calories live longer.
From WebMD.com - Forget about super-sizing, a restricted-calorie diet may add health, youthfulness, and longevity to your life.
quote:Originally posted by Bee: My dh just recently starting using fitday and we've come to find out that he's not getting in anywhere enough calories for his size.
He is looking to gain some lean muscle mass and start bulking up. He's VERY thin - 6'4 and 180 pounds at most. Now we know why - he doesn't eat enough!
We have the workout part down great now - he lifts 4 times/week and is making great progress in strength gains.
Now we need to tackle the food piece. We want to do this carefully though because he did start putting on weight last year and it went all around his middle.
I've been trying to add in extra snacks for him during the day - a mid morning one and 1 -2 more snacks in the afternoon. He's been doing dried fruit, nuts, seeds and high fiber cereals; fresh fruit; cereal bars, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc... (He also wasn't getting in enough fiber).
The problem is that he has high blood pressure and is already on the borderline of having high cholesterol so we really need to watch his fat intake.
So, I basically I need more ideas for calorie dense foods but that are also low in fat, low in cholesterol and low in sodium.
We already decided to buy a juicer so we can make all kinds of power drinks/shakes so hopefully that will help some too.
(As an aside, it is just about killing me entering in his stuff into fitday and trying to find ways to get in MORE healthy calories when I'm the total opposite, trying to manage my nutritional needs on so few calories. The ironies of life!)
Bee, I haven't read any of the other responses, but this sounds like a situation where he should probably talk to a registered dietician (probably a guy, and probably one that specializes in athletes). He may have to drive a piece, and if your insurance doesn't cover it, he may have to pay a little more for this type of RD, but I would say it would be very beneficial for him.
The other thing that I would recommend is using soy protein powder in smoothies for him.
Blessings,
Lori
Re-committing myself to a healthy lifestyle that will include regular (and increasing) exercise, and following the baby steps rule on food. 6/17/08
Posts: 3149 | Location: California | Registered: March 11, 2004
quote:Originally posted by Cajetaguy: That calculates to a BMI of 21.9, which is in the normal range. Underweight is defined a Below 18.5. I'm currently in the 20.x range.
We knew he wasn't technically underweight but he really wants to start trying to bulk up some and put on some muscle. I just don't think he can do it with the number of calories he was taking in (under 2000 most days). By all calculations he should be at minimum eating 2500/day.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
quote:Originally posted by Bee: The problem is that... is already on the borderline of having high cholesterol so we really need to watch his fat intake.
So, I basically I need more ideas for calorie dense foods but that are also low in fat, low in cholesterol and low in sodium.
Me too, with the boarderline cholesterol. RD steered me away from dairy fats and solid fats (shortening, etc.) Olive and canola oils were fine. Nuts and seeds fine, too. Except in my case I can't eat, too much!
I don't know what oil does to blood pressure. He may want to see a RD.
Watch out where he puts fat on... don't want it in the middle... that is bad...
Denise
Posts: 8748 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
quote:Originally posted by Bee: (As an aside, it is just about killing me entering in his stuff into fitday and trying to find ways to get in MORE healthy calories when I'm the total opposite, trying to manage my nutritional needs on so few calories. The ironies of life!)
LOL! Maybe your daughter will be a mixture of the two of you and have the perfect metabolism!
Avocados? Olive oil salad dressing?
Denise
Posts: 8748 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
. Happy juicing!
