Calorie intake!

[King-Of-TheLoad]

I read somewhere that the recommended calorie intake in order to gain muscle mass are 300-500 calories onto your total daily energy expenditure, or 15-20% additional calories to TDEE .

How`s this in comparison to Dantes philosophy? Any comments? Thanks!

:dcchomp:

[USMuscle9403]

Not really necessary to count calories on this program at all. What most DC trainees take in far exceeds the 'normal' bulking calories, though. For instance, I am taking in about 5000 when my maintenance level is about 3500 *just a guess*.

[ctgblue]

I know that some of these guys eat insane calories.
My rule of thumb is, if you're not consuming 20xBW in calories, you're undereating for muscle gain. If you're using 'super supplements' you need to go even higher as your metabolism will jack up and you will process foods faster.
I weigh 240 and don't really start to see gains until I hit the 5,000 mark.

[USMuscle9403]

Yea, many of these guys, Dante included, are probably taking in 7,000+ calories.

[bigp3]

I think you should look at the quality of what you are eating more than the quantity. 5000 calories of dunkin donuts is not the same as 5000 calories of chicken and rice!!!

[Richard85]

7K calories... that has to be so much money spent on food, like your working to eat lol

[King-Of-TheLoad]

I have no clue how many calories I eat a day, it is probably different each day because I just eat almost anything that comes to mind. Don`t really know what my mainainance level is either, but I think that I eat more than I really need in order to maintain musclemass.

[heavy hitter]

good

[wildman536]

Yea, many of these guys, Dante included, are probably taking in 7,000+ calories.

i Read That Too!!!

[Thors]

7K calories... that has to be so much money spent on food, like your working to eat lol

Yep, just asked my boss for another raise to support my grocery store. Seriously.

[MsteveM]

the 500cals over maintenance is just a rule of thumb that alot of people who count calories advocate. thats considered somewhat of a "slow or clean bulk" to keep bf gain minimal. but i dont think thats nearly as effective as dante's method of eating. i mean, DC trainees eat a ridiculous amount of food - tons of calories, way over "maintenance. calories arent counted. the only thing that needs to be counted is protein, just keep an eye on any cutoffs you might have and its all good. the way its all designed lets them eat as much as they can, while keeping bf low or even slightly reducing bf.

[Doggcrapp]

I think you should look at the quality of what you are eating more than the quantity. 5000 calories of dunkin donuts is not the same as 5000 calories of chicken and rice!!!

Thank you and I wish the young guys all over the boards would get off this calorie kick--count protein grams and trust in your hunger!

Heres a scenario for you:
Stickboy Jones decides that 5000 calories is the goal he has to get down the hatch a day because he is brainwashed that calories is the key. Stickboy lifts that day, and then does an 8 hour labor job on top of mowing his lawn that nite. But he has to eat 5000 a day so....even if it was optimal that day to take in 6500 calories and to listen to his hunger, he takes in 5000 calories and probably wont have a great day right there as far as furthering muscle gain.

The next day is saturday and its an offlifting day and Stickboy is extremely tired and lounges around all day on the couch watching baseball games--pretty much a sloth for the day. But Stickboy eats his 5000 calories because according to him "calories build muscle mass"--what do you think is going to happen to him on this day when maybe his bmr was 2750 or so? Welcome to FAT FUCK CITY!

Moral of the story--get off the calorie counter (bodybuilding.com) kick and start counting protein grams. Check your weight every 2 weeks or 4 weeks at the very same time of day--dont get on the damn scale between those times. Adjust your carb cuttoffs accordingly to weight gain. Trust in your hunger and if your not gaining, look at your meals and add to them as neccessary (olive oil, slightly larger portions etc) ---if your still not gaining then move your carb cuttoff up.

[USMuscle9403]

LOL, I guess you feel that things need to be re-said every now and again huh, Dante? Come to think of it, this stuff goes RIGHT back to your thread about over analyzation. Calorie counters are basically useless. Besides, how is that calorie counter supposed to know your metabolism and body type??? It doesn't. The only way you can figure that out is to listen to your body and how it responds to things. I am still learning the limitations of mine, but I'm working on it! Every now and again I will count up calories JUST to see where I'm at to get a rough estimate *I often have people ask me how many I eat a day*, but that is about it. What you gave is always great advice and should stick with all DC trainees at all times!

[Trulyhuge]

Honestly, I do not count kcals at all. I upped my protein from the usual 325 grams to 500 grams on DC. I eat the hell out of protein and make sure it is down the hatch. Then I eat my carbs, whatever I can eat. If I am at a sticking point I add more olive oil in my diet (this has worked great so far).

TH

[asim]

Honestly, I do not count kcals at all. I upped my protein from the usual 325 grams to 500 grams on DC. I eat the hell out of protein and make sure it is down the hatch. Then I eat my carbs, whatever I can eat. If I am at a sticking point I add more olive oil in my diet (this has worked great so far).

TH

Exactly what i do.