Last week, I filled all of you in on my recent diagnosis of HA. Since then, I have had an overwhelming response from many of you, either sharing your own stories or asking questions.
Out of all of the questions that I’ve received, the one I get the most is:
“How did you go about increasing your calories and fats in a healthy way?”
First, let me just tell you that I am not perfect. Not all of my calories and fats come from the healthiest choices out there, but if you’ve been reading along for any amount of time now then that definitely shouldn’t surprise you. I’m human…and I like my sweets.
BUT, I have still been making a solid attempt to increase those calories in a healthy way, so I wanted to go ahead and share them all with ya today!
SWAP: Real Eggs instead of Only Egg Whites or Egg Substitute
I’ve always been one to mix up how I eat my eggs. Depending on what’s in the house, I’ve typically always chosen egg whites or egg substitute, and I will be honest in saying that it was in an attempt to save calories and/or fat. But now, I’m eating the full egg and I’m fully embracing it.
And you know what? It tastes soooooo much better. Try it.
SWAP: Coffee Creamer instead of Skim Milk in Coffee
I’m not really a huge fan of coffee creamers with a bajillion ingredients in the list, but my favorite kind of coffee creamer has been tasting mighty good lately.
The ingredient list is super simple, it tastes delicious, and it provides me a little extra boost in my morning coffee.
SWAP: 2% Greek Yogurt instead of 0% Greek Yogurt
If you’ve ever tasted a 0% and a 2% Greek yogurt, then you probably know there’s an amazing difference in flavor and texture.
I’ve still been eating the 0% occasionally, just because there are certain flavors of it that I enjoy, but the 2% has been rocking my world lately. Especially this flavor.
SWAP: Olive Oil on Salads instead of Low-Fat Dressings
I’m not much of a fan of too many fat-free dressings (not to mention their atrocious ingredient lists) but there are a few reduced-fat vinaigrettes that I enjoy. Lately though, the real deal has been delicious.
I’ll usually use about 1 tablespoon of olive oil on my salad with lots of balsamic vinegar and some spices.
ADD-IN: Avocado
I have been lovin’ me some avocado lately! In my salads, on my sandwiches, in my wraps…wherever it goes, it just adds such a great, creamy texture.
Oh yes…and we can’t forget about avocado in your breakfast omelet! 
ADD-IN: Olive Oil When Cooking
Most of the time when I was sautéing or roasting veggies, I’d tend to just use non-stick cooking spray, and maybe a little bit of olive oil. Now, however, I use my olive oil when cooking all the time.
Now I don’t go crazy with the stuff, but I use an amount that is enough to coat the food and give it some flavor. Needless to say, my veggies have been pretty good these days!
ADD-IN: Nuts
Friends, meet my new favorite snack.
I’ve been snacking on just plain almonds or snack mixes like the one above like it’s my job lately. They’re a great mid-morning or mid-afternoon treat, they’re healthy, they provide me with some healthy fats, and they’re easy.
I’ve also put together my own trail mix too, which is not only delicious, but also much more budget-friendly.
Aaaaand you can choose your own nut-dried fruit ratio that way.
ADD-IN: Nut Butters
Not that this wasn’t already a regular staple in my diet…
You’ve probably noticed (or maybe you haven’t, and that’s cool too) that I’ve been eating quite a bit of nut butter lately. It’s a favorite at breakfast time, but I’ve also been enjoying it as a snack paired with rice cakes, apples, Kashi crackers, or just as it is.
ADD-IN or SWAP: Ice cream (swapped for low-fat)
Typically, I try to not keep ice cream in the house just because Jay and I have a tendency to inhale it like vacuums while it’s here.
In the past, when I have had it in the house, it’s usually been a variety of some low-fat or fat-free flavor. I don’t mind the flavors of the low-fat flavors (such as Edy’s Slow Churned) but I probably ended up eating about the same amount of calories because I’d fill up my bowl with even more of it…you know, because it was low-fat so I could justify it.
Now, if it is in the house (which I still try to keep to a minimum) it’s the real deal. Like this incredible Ben & Jerry’s flavor…
Oh my gosh, that the best thing on the face of this planet.
And if we don’t have it in the house and want a little after-dinner treat, we might pick up a dish from one of my other favorite local spots.
I’ll be honest and tell you that my intake of ice cream has probably been a bit more than recommended lately, but you know what? OH WELL.
Like I said, I’m not perfect. I’ve certainly been enjoying extra calories and fat in the form of baked goods and amazing chocolate cake…but I would have done that regardless of my situation because life’s too short to pass up on the good stuff.
Overall though, I really am making a conscious effort to increase those healthy fats in the ways I mentioned above, so if you’re in a similar situation to do the same, then hopefully this will be somewhat resourceful for you! 
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