Feels like forever since my last post.
Really, though, it’s only been two days. I left the last post up for a bit because of its important message, and also because this gave me a chance to thoroughly read through all of the heartfelt and personal comments so many people took time to leave.
It was especially wonderful seeing readers responding to and encouraging each other in the comment section with ideas for high calorie recipes or just with support in general. Please, always feel free to respond to other commenters on my posts. If someone asks a question and you know the answer, share your knowledge! I don’t have all the answers, and so I’m happy when someone more knowledgeable speaks up.
Today’s post is a follow-up to Thursday’s. It was written for anyone who’d like some higher calorie recipes and is tired of resorting to so-called junk food all the time. I once tried the junk food route to gain weight. (For more about that, see the following post: My Junk Food Phase.)
It did not work for me, and I felt awful. No way could I continue to scarf down pints of vegan ice cream every day, or eat two slices of cake as a daily snack—I was beginning to hate dessert! I finally had to take a good look at my diet and try something new. That “something new” was adopting a healthy, but still high-calorie, diet.
Many of my favorite recipes on this blog are the high calorie recipes (or the ones that can be high in calories if you employ some of the optional ingredients or substitutions). For example: One of my favorite “weight gain” recipes is actually a recipe I specifically highlight as being low in calories:
Yes, the recipe has half the calories of peanut butter… So if you eat 1 or 2 tablespoons on a sandwich, you’ve saved calories. But I like to eat the entire recipe in a serving, which makes it closer to 500-600 calories. It’s one of my favorite high calorie recipes, and it’s not made with hard-to-find ingredients. Just peanut butter and banana… what could be easier??
And if you use a frozen banana (I highly recommend you do!), it’s like ice cream. So incredibly delicious! Other recipes on my blog that are—or can be—higher in calories:
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Shake
Seriously, forget Boost. This shake is way better. Actually, I’ve never tried Boost since it’s not vegan… For awhile I did drink some weight-gain-type shakes (called Power Dreams) from the Imagine Foods company. I liked the chocolate ones best. (Surprise!) But then the company went and discontinued those drinks. Oh well; I like my own better anyway.
(People with peanut allergies can easily sub almond butter or an allergy-friendly alternative like sunbutter or soynut butter.)
I always always always add the optional oil when I make these pancakes for myself. And if you can spare the calories, I highly recommend you do the same. Using coconut oil makes them taste like buttery shortbread, bursting with giant blueberries.
Darn it, now I’m craving pancakes.
Another one of my favorite things to eat. These little candies are absolutely addictive. You cannot eat just one two seventeen. Thankfully, they’re also incredibly easy to make. I prepare a huge amount at once… but, even still, they disappear so fast!
Chocolate-Raspberry Fudge Cake
Yet another personal favorite. Ok, so I have a lot of favorites. Since first creating the recipe a few years ago, I don’t think a week has gone by where I haven’t had a slice of this fantabulous fudge cake. For extra calories, eat more than one serving. You can do that, right?
I certainly always do! And yet, it doesn’t leave me feeling gross and sluggish like when I used to eat those sugary layer cakes every day.
Those are “Oatmeal-Raisin Cookie” Bars in the photo. They’re one of my favorite high calorie recipes on the blog. (How many times have I said “my favorite” now in this post? Sorry, can’t help it.)
I don’t really like the crunchy texture of granola, but I sometimes use this recipe as one would use granola– sprinkled over other foods, or just eaten straight from the food processor. Really, why bother shaping into bars? That just burns calories ;).
This ice cream has just 50 calories per serving… If you use almond milk, that is. Opt for the super-creamy version made with creamer or canned coconut milk and you can easily (painlessly!) take in some extra calories.
A glass of nothing but frosting? Heck yes! This recipe is very high in healthy fats. And none of the sugar or processed ingredients found in that Pillsbury stuff. Which means… go ahead and eat the whole glass. You know you want to!
What are some of your favorite high calorie recipes?
If you can’t tell from this post, mine include coconut, peanut butter, and really dark chocolate. Also, most raw nuts, and olive oil (on things, not plain lol!). Every now and then, I give avocado another chance because I want to like it; it’s so healthy! But alas, I just can’t see what everyone else seems to love about it.
For more, see the following: How to Gain Weight on a Healthy Diet.
yumyummm on everything! love those shots i have one every wk since u posted it haha! and avocado mousse is amazing, i didnt think i would like it AT ALL but i love it.. i like guacomole tho but plain avocado grosses me out.. def give it a try tho!
Ahh! Agree about the avocado. Actually I used to love avocado, but after getting food poisoning one too many times from eating overripe ones, I no longer can stand them. Note to avocado eaters: Do not eat the avocado if its yellow, smells bad, or has turned brown!!
Still don’t understand how you don’t like avocado! Gah! That’s my favorite..and olive oil…and nuts…and coconut oil…and sesame oil…and chocolate…yum
Oh yes, I’m with you on the avocado! I just bought one to FINALLY try chocolate avocado pudding.
I don’t actively count calories, I’d drive myself utterly insane, i live a low carb lifestyle and have fr 10 years, lost 75lbs and basically kept it off)I eat treats and exercise daily, not overweight but not thin either, but I’m happy! And NOT hungry! but seeing as how this is a chocolate covered blog- one of my favorite things is the high fat Dutch cocoa powder I buy at penzeys spices, I use it in all your recipes! Adds a richness to everything, about 2x the calories of Hersey cocoa… Makes yummy hot chocolate as well! You can order it online too, I found it from a paleo cookbook I have and haven’t gone back to the cheaper stuff (it’s not expensive! I think 16oz is under $10) so yummy! Especially in your frosting shots (I make this once a week… And the brownies too… I have put on a little weight BUT my hair an skin have never been better!!)
I don’t like avocado either…peanut butter id definitely my favorite. But I have to proceed with caution. 🙂
Hi Katie! I was just reading the article that is on today’s AOL main page! Congratulations if you haven’t seen it yet!
http://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-recipes-pictures/healthy-dessert-for-breakfast-recipes.aspx?xid=aol_eh-diet_4_20110227_&aolcat=EFG&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl9%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D139615
Hey, that’s awesome!
Thank you so much for letting me know, Kelly! Haha I had no idea why my site’s page views were going crazy!
Avocados in smoothies make them mousse/pudding like and thick. One avocado, 1/2 banana (optional), 1-2 Tbps hemp seeds, 3 Tbsp rice protein, coconut milk (So Delicious), 1-2Tbsp cocoa. I usually put all the ingredients in the Vitamix, then add coconut milk until it reaches the 2 – 2.5 cup mark, then blend. You can add more/less coconut milk to adjust the consistency of your shake. Super rich, high in calories and healthy fats, protein, really fills you up. Let me know if you try it and what you think.
Katie – these are great recipes. I haven’t been a follower for very long, but I really am loving the references to past recipes that I hadn’t stumbled upon yet. Really like the fact that so many of your recipes can be low or high calorie, depending on you needs.
I’m DYING to try that raw chocolate fudge cake, but unfortunately, coconut butter is so darn expensive 🙁
I am pretty sure Katie has a recipe on here for Homemade Coconut butter, and it might be a cheaper option for you . . .
I try not to eat too many high-calorie foods, but my favorites are peanut butter, and nuts.
Try Walnuts, for a higher calorie energy packed healthy fat snack. I love walnuts but I hardly ever eat them because they are very high in calories.