Quote:

---

I was going to see a nurtitionist about this, but my doctor wants to wait until my physical (in March) and discuss it then. I'm trying to gain weight, and want to count calories and figure out how much I need to add to my diet to gain weight. I'm currently 92lbs, trying to get to 105. I workout 3 times a week but mostly gentle cardio (20 mins) and weights.
My frustration is with all the conflicting information. I go online to different sites and they all say I need different amounts of calories, ranging from 1800 to 2600 cals/day to gain weight. This is a huge range, so I guess for now I'm just trying to eat as much as I can.
First about the calorie range, that does seem like a really big range. I always thought a range was given because your body needs somewhere in between those and there is a "cushion" on either side. I also think it lets you take into account for yourself how much you need.. like if you are walking around all day, or working at a desk your daily needed calories will be different.
As for the nutritionist, I know you mentioned that you were worried about seeing someone who knows enough about IBS to be able to give you advice you can actually take! I hear ya! I really lucked out and got free nutritional counselling through work last year. It was a woman who was based out in Calgary, her name is Nancy Lundhild. She is great, and has compiled loads of information about IBS and also has done things like sports nutrition and stuff like that so she is really, really knowledgable about weight issues and IBS issues. Thing is, I don't know if she would be like a private service that you wouldn't be able to get covered and the sessions (which are by phone and mail/eMail) might come out of your own pocket. I have a telephone session with her tomorrow, I'd be happy to ask her for you.

I'm also frustrated because it seems like I'm eating a lot but can't get nearly enough calories. Other people have posted what they eat and # calories, they aren't eating as much as me and their calories are higher. Am I not counting right? Or are the foods I'm eating just so low-cal that I'm eating a lot but it's not adding up? I can't eat to the point where I'm stuffed, cuz my IBS acts up. So basically I'm eating as much as I can without causing symptoms.
I looked at your day and it looks similar to a lot of my days, but you're right the calories look lower than if I were to count them. I'll have a look through and let you know what some of mine looked like to see if that helps?

Here's a sample 1-day menu:
oatmeal + mixed berries + acacia 200cals How much oatmeal and berries are you having? For me, for example, I would have 1/3 cup of oatmeal with berries and Soy Milk and it would be 250 calories
bio-k+ 45cals
egg white 20cals

white bread 200cals
turkey breast 50 cals
veganaise 90 cals
lettuce, olives

3 ginger snaps 140 cals
applesauce 90 cals

1 cup silk milk 140cals

Chicken and Artichokes with pasta 255 cals I might be wrong, but this looks pretty low to me. Any time I have a meal with pasta with any kind of protein it is *at least* 300 cals, usually closer to 350. Maybe I just eat more than you, though!

Rice + fish (leftovers) 300 cals

Total: 1530 The rest of it looks pretty similar to things I've logged, so it looks like either you're right or we're both wrong! Could you try to add in more protein with stuff like hummus or soup with beans or something? What about baked sweet potatoes or something that usually pack quite a few cals but aren't unhealthy?

---