How to get more calories?

[Summerbreeze]

Hi,

I'm mostly eating raw and vegan (sugar free), because other food makes me feel depressed and blocks mental abilities.

I'm happy with it, but I also would like to eat more calories.

What food can you suggest?

~sb

[aelle]

Nuts, seeds (and nut butters, nut milk....)? Avocadoes? I could spend my days eating guacamole if avocadoes weren't so stupidly expensive here.

[firenexx]

It used to be tricky for me to eat enough food to maintain a healthy weight.

Nuts and seeds and oils are important. Try also making hommus, nut butters, etc.

Avocadoes are nice. They are expensive here so I try to eat maybe 1-2 a week.

Also, juicing allows you to have more calories per volume. I cannot afford a juicer yet :-(.

[adambenedetto]

I agree with you, firenexx. Oils are very helpful to keep the calorie content high enough. Essential fatty acids are something many diets are deficient in so it does make sense in general. I would try to keep oils out of contact with light. I have noticed that most oils are sold in clear bottles and light exposure can shorten the time it takes for oils to turn rancid. The taste difference alone between fresh olive oil and and store-bought oil is incredible.

[robx]

- would black eyed peas, black beans, red beans, kidney beans, green beans, lentils, etc. fall into your diet plans?

You can eat them uncooked (although I personally would touch these without nuking them for a couple of minutes) and they contain a few calories and protein which you don't currently obtain in your vegan diet from eating red meat, poultry, pork, fish, etc.

Food.............................................. .................Calories
================================================
Black-eyed peas, 1 cup (250ml) no name brand.........120
Black beans, 1 cup (250ml), Unico brand...................260
Romano Beans, 1 can (540ml) ................................410
Lentils, 1 cup (250ml), no name brand......................170

[LauraJane]

Try a chia pudding with reduced or no honey or sweetener. Here's a recipe for you (you can omit the honey if you don't want sugar):

* 1 cup cashews
* 3 cups water
* 2 tablespoons agave nectar (or honey)
* 2 vanilla seeds (or 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract)
* A tiny tiny tiny tiny splash of almond extract
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* pinch sea salt
* 1/4 cup chia seeds

Soak cashews for one hour. Drain and discard soaking water. Rinse.

Blend cashews and the three cups of water until nice and smooth.

Add everything else (except the chia seeds). Blend again.

Place the chia seeds in a bowl. Add the blended mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure the chia seeds are well distributed.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

[ChrisGinsburg]

White Castle Chocolate Shake-- 1680 Calories.

[Summerbreeze]

Thank you all for the replies,

@Laura
The chia pudding looks inspiring, never heard of chia before.

@Chris
Oh yes what I always do when I'm the first the day in the US is to eat every junk, that I can find, this looks like a great idea, thanks.

I will look for a good guacamole recipe and I'm already putting more (unsaturated) oils in some things, oil often helps to incorporate vitamins - I heard.
Beans are a good idea, also good for protein.

Thanks a lot, everyone

[adambenedetto]

Originally Posted by LauraJane

Try a chia pudding with reduced or no honey or sweetener. Here's a recipe for you (you can omit the honey if you don't want sugar):

* 1 cup cashews
* 3 cups water
* 2 tablespoons agave nectar (or honey)
* 2 vanilla seeds (or 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract)
* A tiny tiny tiny tiny splash of almond extract
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* pinch sea salt
* 1/4 cup chia seeds

Soak cashews for one hour. Drain and discard soaking water. Rinse.

Blend cashews and the three cups of water until nice and smooth.

Add everything else (except the chia seeds). Blend again.

Place the chia seeds in a bowl. Add the blended mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure the chia seeds are well distributed.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

That sounds delicious. There is a woman on this forum that is doing 30-day raw food challenge for herself. I will recommend this recipe and your links to her. I have to try that for myself too.