Question on adding more food to diet.

Dexamehtal · 02-01-2007, 07:34 AM

I'm trying to bulk. I am trying to be as consistent as possible, but sometimes it may be a good 5 hours between meals. Anyway, morning I have a Protein Shake with 2 cups of skim milk. Also 4 whole eggs. 3 hours later I will eat a can of chicken or protein shake. Lunch I eat 1.5 chicken breast with noodles (usually the Pasta Roni). About 3 hours later (usually 3 or 4pm) I usually have a protein shake or can of chicken (if I had the can earlier then its a protein shake, or vice a versa). I workout around 8-9pm and down another protein shake before and after workout. About 1-2 hours later I cook 3 chicken breasts with pasta roni and eat half around 11pm and save the other have for my lunch the next day. Immediately before bed I down a casein protein shake.

My questions, I want to add more food to my diet to add weight. I'm not the handiest around the kitchen, hence the canned chicken, but i'm definitely willing to learn. So, from what I can tell, I'm not gaining ANY extra weight from this diet and i'm not suprised. Do I just need to add more chicken throughout the day? Would steak help? Is the pasta roni a bad deal? I tried eating the chicken with rice, but that gets OLD very fast. Only use the noodles for extra taste. I tried adding oats to my shakes but the texture tears at my throat and I have a very bad gag reflex. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Dexamehtal · 02-01-2007, 04:58 PM

Also, are the carbs I get from the noodles bad for me at the times i eat them?

OzStriker · 02-01-2007, 05:12 PM

You have got to add good quality complex carbs to your diet.

I don't know anything about those noodles but I suspect they are highly processed.

You are bulking, you need carbs to grow, not more protein, you are not eating any complex carbs until lunchtime and they probably suck.

For breakfast either try and eat oats or some wholegrain cereal with minimal added sugar, some wholegrain bread, brown rice, wholegrain pasta or beans.

You don't have to be handy in the kitchen to eat well, raw chicken + heat + spice = tasty meal.

Cut back on the protein shakes, eat complex carbs around your workout and work out the macros of your diet.

It would help if you posted your weight, calorie totals and grams of each macronutrient.

CHM · 02-01-2007, 05:18 PM

I think you need more carbohydrates. Your calories are mainly coming from protein, with minimal carbs. The canned chicken is fine, same with tuna. Try not taking in soo many shakes. Whole foods are much better. Good easy protein foods are cottage cheese, hardboiled eggs, lowfat cheese, beef jerky, ect. The pasta roni is'nt your best option, but you are bulking, so it is fine every once and a while. Try adding more complex carbs like 100%whole wheat breads, oatmeal, fruits, beans, brown rice, starchy vegtables, and whole wheat pasta. The only times where shakes are necessary are pre/post workout, and maybe before bed. As for carb timing, you'd be best off eating starchy carbs earlier in the day, and just relying on fibrous carbs from foods like veggies later on into the night. Since you workout at night your situation is different, as you need carbohydrates after working out. Hope this helps.