anyone struggling to get enough calories?

Hey everyone!

Is anyone else struggling to get enough calories at max protein & fat limit (LE PCOS)?

I've been really good at staying within the protein and fats limits but i'm struggling to get in enough calories as a result. I know i've read that the carbs would take care of itself but after having PCOS for over 20 years, it's like second nature for me to have a lower carb intake and so i'm really hesitant at throwing in extra carbs to get up to the 1500 or 1600 calorie bracket.

also, between lunch and dinner if i eat something that is under 100 calories (maybe a fruit or even a mini salad) is this considered snacking? (i'm thinking that something like a salad should not spike blood sugar, which is what we're after??? please correct me if i'm wrong here.)

You could incorporate more fruit and higher carb veggies like potatoes or corn. Those are all allowed on PCOS diet. If you eat something between lunch and dinner even if it's under 100 calories, it's still snacking. If there's a huge gap between your lunch and dinner though it would be fine. Just don't eat lunch then an hour later eat a mini meal then a couple hours after that have dinner. You can do 3 meals a day if needed though.

Hey ksmom, thanks for responding :)

I already have 3 meals :suprise: lol

I thought adding fruits would encourage the sugar spikes as I've been told so many times to stay away from too much fruit for the pcos...is this not true for the le pcos?

Great suggestion with the veggies!!! I will definitely add more in now. Thanks

Low carb vegetables are free and unlimited so you need to get calories from other things and NOT low carb veg.

Whole grains, higher carb veg (like potato) and fruit are allowed on the alt. version of LE Diet (and those things you DO count the calories in them). You know your body best, though and if you're telling me you don't tolerate fruit we need to figure out ways to change what you're eating to enable you to be getting not only protein and fat but calories at the same time.

Can you give me more info about what you're eating?? Often it's a matter of making 1-2 quick little changes.

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Originally Posted by Dreamgirl18

Hey ksmom, thanks for responding :)

I already have 3 meals :suprise: lol

I thought adding fruits would encourage the sugar spikes as I've been told so many times to stay away from too much fruit for the pcos...is this not true for the le pcos?

Great suggestion with the veggies!!! I will definitely add more in now. Thanks

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If you need to, you can go to 4 or even 5 meals some dayd if that is what it takes. It is still different than the all day eating that many of us boy moms do.

Fruit in limits is fine. The reason why they even have that warning is because so many people with PCOS will replace sugar with lots of fruit (so they may give up chocolate but replace it with 3 bananas a day or whatever). They are not eating an overall PCO-friendly diet, either. Too much fruit without reducing cals and keeping fat/protein in balance too can aggravate PCOS but we have people follow this type of diet and get great results for their PCOS!

I have a coffee with a tiny amount of splenda (just to cut the bitterness) about 6am, fruit smoothie (2 servings) and a serving of veggies around 9 am, lunch is serving of whole grains, veg and chicken(thigh - don't know if this is bad and I should switch to breast) - I plan to do a 3oz portion of chicken but will add it in when I figure out how to gauge 3-4 oz lol.

Between lunch and dinner I have been trying to drink water to fill my tummy but it's angry at me lol (usually this is when I would have tons of chocolates). Dinner is usually all over the place timewise - I've been having a slice of spelt bread and cheese with some coffee at around 6pm and recently I've been adding in 3oz of wine but at around 7.30 pm so I don't know if this is counts as an extra meal, due to the calories?

I don't know how much fruit is recommended for me (height and frame). I'm 90lbs and 5ft (so tiny). I've always been a thin pcoser - I don't gain weight easily AT ALL and so I think that is usually the fear for me - not knowing exactly how the fruits and carbs affect me. (I usually opt for chocolates over fruit to be very honest - so if anything, I have been healthier since trying this diet lol)

The main thing i've stayed away from for years (not swaying) is carbs (so that I could feel better about having the chocolates lol)

:agree: well, I'd have 1-3 pieces of fruit a day and see how you tolerate that.

Ok thanks

I was always having issues with getting enough calories! Recently I’ve been adding potato/sweet potato to up my calorie intake and when I have room (fat wise) I’ll have some carrots and ranch dressing with my lunch! It’s been helping me get from 1200 to 1400/1500 calories daily!