Okay, so I saw this question online about how to eat 5,000 calories a day, and honestly, it sounded like a challenge. I’ve always been a pretty skinny guy, and putting on weight has been tough. So, I thought, “Why not give it a shot?” I mean, 5,000 calories? That’s like, double what I normally eat.
First thing I did was try to figure out what 5,000 calories actually looks like. I started Googling around, looking at food labels, and trying to piece together meals. It was kind of overwhelming at first. It’s a LOT of food.
My “Get Big” Meal Plan (Attempt 1)
My first attempt was…ambitious, to say the least. I basically tried to stuff myself at every meal. Here’s what I tried:
- Breakfast: A huge bowl of oatmeal with a ton of peanut butter, a banana, protein powder, and milk. Plus, like, four eggs and some bacon.
- Snack 1: A protein shake with whole milk, more peanut butter, and a banana.
- Lunch: Two giant chicken breasts, a mountain of rice, and a bunch of broccoli.
- Snack 2: Another protein shake, pretty much the same as the first one.
- Dinner: A huge steak, a baked potato the size of my head, and more vegetables.
- Snack 3: A bowl of cottage cheese with fruit and nuts.
Yeah, that didn’t work. I felt absolutely miserable. I was so full I thought I was going to explode. I couldn’t even finish half of the food I planned. I was bloated, sluggish, and definitely not feeling the “gains.” I probably hit 3,500 calories, tops. And that was a STRUGGLE.
Rethinking the Strategy (Attempt 2)
So, back to the drawing board. I realized I needed to be smarter about this. Shoving food down my throat wasn’t going to work. I needed to focus on calorie-dense foods that were easier to eat.
- More Nuts and Seeds: These things are packed with calories and healthy fats. I started adding handfuls of almonds, cashews, and sunflower seeds to everything.
- Avocados: Another great source of healthy fats and calories. I started putting avocado on my sandwiches and salads.
- Olive Oil: I started drizzling olive oil on everything. My salads, my vegetables, even my rice.
- Dried Fruit: Easier to eat than fresh fruit, and more calorie-dense. I started snacking on raisins, dates, and apricots.
- Full-Fat Dairy: Switched to whole milk, full-fat yogurt, and cheese.
- More Frequent Meals: Instead of three huge meals, I tried to eat six smaller meals throughout the day.
This approach was MUCH better. I felt less stuffed, and I was actually able to get closer to the 5,000-calorie mark. It was still tough, but it felt more sustainable. I didn’t feel like I was force-feeding myself all day long. I tracked all the nutrition data by some apps.
The Results (So Far)
I’ve been doing this for a few weeks now, and I’ve definitely noticed a difference. I’ve gained a few pounds, and I feel a little bit stronger. It’s not a huge transformation, but it’s progress. It is still hard to keep eating 5000 calories, but I’ll insist on it.
Honestly, hitting 5,000 calories every day is still a challenge. Some days I get closer than others. It’s definitely not something I’d recommend for everyone. It’s a lot of food, and it takes a lot of planning and effort. But for me, it’s been an interesting experiment, and I’m learning a lot about my body and how it responds to different foods.
If you’re thinking about trying to eat 5,000 calories a day, my advice would be to start slow, listen to your body, and focus on calorie-dense, whole foods. And don’t expect to become a bodybuilder overnight. It’s a process!
