One way to increase your calories is to increase the size of your meals. Start with a hearty breakfast and have an extra slice or two of whole-grain toast with peanut butter. Whole grains are important for their fiber and peanut butter is calorie-dense and high in fat and protein.
Omelets are usually made with two or three eggs, some cheese and a variety of added ingredients, so they're already energy-dense. Add extra calories by using a little more cheese and an extra egg in your omelet. But save room for some healthy veggies like spinach, peppers, and onions, or maybe some mushrooms and tomatoes.
Most people don't get enough fruits and vegetables, and although most of them are lower in calories, you don't want to give them up. So boost your snack-time calories by slathering some almond, peanut or cashew butter on apple slices. The flavor is fantastic, and you'll get lots of nutrients along with your calories.
Your mom told you to eat your veggies, and she was totally right. Green and colorful vegetables are chock full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. But, they're also low in calories. Enhance your energy intake by adding cheese or cheese sauce to your favorite green veggies.
Here's one of our favorite ideas. Start with a smooth creamy Greek yogurt and add a generous portion of walnuts, almonds or pecans, plus oats and your favorite dried fruit. Top it off with a spoonful of honey, and you have the most delicious and healthful snack or dessert.
Creamed soups are higher in calories than clear broth-based soups. A big bowl of creamed soup and crusty warm bread can make an excellent energy-dense meal. Keep your creamed soups healthy by choosing a cream of broccoli, cream of mushroom or similar types of soup.
7. Top Your Potatoes With Sour Cream:
Potatoes are on the starchy side, so they're a good source of calories. Amp up the calories by adding sour cream.
Potatoes get a bad rap because they're high in carbohydrates, but your body uses carbs for energy and potatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Sour cream adds a bit of calcium along with the additional calories. You can also add calories with cheese or gravy.
8. Eat Larger Portions of Starchy Vegetables Like Potatoes and Sweet Corn:
Sweet corn and potatoes are both nutritious vegetables, and they're also on the starchy side, so they're also higher in calories than green veggies. So, while you don't want to give up on Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and kale, you can feel free to load up on potatoes and sweet corn. Sweet potatoes are good too.
9. You Can Increase Your Protein Intake (and Calories) With Protein Bars:
Protein bars are similar to trail mix but a bit less messy. You can make your protein bars or purchase any number of bars in any grocery or convenience store. Check out the Nutrition Facts label to see how many calories you're getting per serving.
You're going to need to drink some beverages throughout the day. Sugary sodas may be tempting, and while they're high in calories, they've got nothing else nutrition-wise.
When it comes to beverages, choose whole milk or fruit and vegetable juices to add to your daily dose of vitamins and minerals.
11. Carry a Bag of Trail Mix for a Convenient Snack:
Trail mix is a mixture of nuts, seeds, cereal and dried fruit. You can buy trail mix in grocery stores or make your own. In fact, you can add a few more calories by adding chocolate chips. Keep your trail mix in a plastic bag or container and carry them with you, so you have something to nibble on throughout the day.