Eating question

denielle715

Not sure if this has been asked... If so, I apologize.

But most of the time my diary is too low now that I'm eating healthy.
I know I shouldn't skip meals or eat less than 1200calories...
So my question is this:

Should I eat even if I'm not hungry (to make sure I eat enough calories and macros)?

janejellyroll

If you are truly eating under 1,200 and you are healthy, you really should be hungry. Can you add some calorie dense foods to your diet? Things like nuts, avocado, oils? Are you eating a lot of "diet" foods? Can you swap those for regular versions?

TeaBea

If you are not hungry you may need to "tweek" your choices a bit. Veggies are high volume low calorie foods....great for micronutrients (vitamins)...but generally don't provide a lot of protein and fats. Try adding some calorie dense foods (small serving sizes).

Are you meeting protein numbers? Protein is one thing that will help you keep muscle (and lose a larger % of fat)...strength training helps too.

Fat is also important for many health reasons. Calorie dense foods are meats, cheese, nuts, nut butters, olive oil, avocado. 1200 is really low....it's MFP's lowest minimum default. Hunger is not a good indicator of proper nutrition.

quiksylver296

Are you weighing your food on a food scale? You may be eating more than you think. Two tablespoons of peanut butter is nothing. Three ounces of chicken is way less than most people think.

Unless you are weighing your food, you can't be sure how many calories you are really eating. Food scales are $20ish at Wal-Mart or Target or wherever.

Dragn77

yeah, Ive noticed most times people ask this, they have a lot of diet / low fat / light / etc etc in their diary. If this is something you're doing, change to eating whole foods in their regular form instead of the ones that are processed out.

Also agree with the balanced diet...make sure you are getting enough fats and protein in your diet. Oh and almost forgot carbs..I have nothing against them, except my lips.

denielle715

I eat some calorie dense foods... but not many. And I don't have a food scale, will be investing in one soon.
I drink a lot of water (80-100oz+ daily).
And I drink coffee during the day, which I'm sure contributes to the curb in my hunger.

denielle715

Oh, and there are no "DIET" foods in my way of eating. I have sugar free syrup flavoring in my coffee... but that's the only thing that could be considered "DIET".
I eat a lot of veggies. Meat is usually at dinner. Occasionally other times.
And I'm gradually getting my diary over 1200 cals.
And NO... I'm NOT PURPOSELY eating fewer calories in the daytime.

I used to eat fast food at least 3 times a week. I drank nothing but sodas and sugary drinks. Had tons of carbs and processed foods before changing my lifestyle.
So part of me thinks its just my body adapting. I just started eating better 2 weeks ago (Yesterday was the start of week 3)

ew_david

Are you losing?

denielle715

I do have some weight to lose. I lost a little over a pound last week. But that was it.

ew_david

If you find yourself tired or sluggish, then yes, I would eat more calories. But first, I would make sure your intake is what you think it is and start weighing and measuring your food if you aren't already.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

denielle715

_dracarys_ wrote: »

If you find yourself tired or sluggish, then yes, I would eat more calories. But first, I would make sure your intake is what you think it is and start weighing and measuring your food if you aren't already.

I'm definitely getting a food scale this weekend. But normally I try to overestimate. If I think it's 3ounces, I say 4 or 5 to play it safe.

Not tired. But that could be due to the coffee. Lol.

I'm just going to start eating more. Especially since I'm doing the 21 Day Fix Extreme and just started C25K.

Meat is usually at dinner time. So the rest of the time I know I'm pretty accurate on my food amounts when logging. 2 eggs are 2 eggs all day long. I measure my yogurt and PB with measuring cups/spoons (and everything else that can be measured that way).

I'm going to go eat again to play it safe.

janejellyroll

denielle715 wrote: »

_dracarys_ wrote: »

If you find yourself tired or sluggish, then yes, I would eat more calories. But first, I would make sure your intake is what you think it is and start weighing and measuring your food if you aren't already.

I'm definitely getting a food scale this weekend. But normally I try to overestimate. If I think it's 3ounces, I say 4 or 5 to play it safe.

Not tired. But that could be due to the coffee. Lol.

I'm just going to start eating more. Especially since I'm doing the 21 Day Fix Extreme and just started C25K.

Meat is usually at dinner time. So the rest of the time I know I'm pretty accurate on my food amounts when logging. 2 eggs are 2 eggs all day long. I measure my yogurt and PB with measuring cups/spoons (and everything else that can be measured that way).

I'm going to go eat again to play it safe.

Peanut butter is one of those foods that can be way off when you use a measuring spoon (as opposed to a scale).

Helloitsdan

How much is too low?
Are you obese or morbidly obese?
Only then should you even think. About eating close to 1200.

denielle715

No. I'm slightly overweight.
But I'm not actively TRYING to eat that little. I just don't get hungry often.

denielle715

janejellyroll wrote: »

denielle715 wrote: »

_dracarys_ wrote: »

If you find yourself tired or sluggish, then yes, I would eat more calories. But first, I would make sure your intake is what you think it is and start weighing and measuring your food if you aren't already.

I'm definitely getting a food scale this weekend. But normally I try to overestimate. If I think it's 3ounces, I say 4 or 5 to play it safe.

Not tired. But that could be due to the coffee. Lol.

I'm just going to start eating more. Especially since I'm doing the 21 Day Fix Extreme and just started C25K.

Meat is usually at dinner time. So the rest of the time I know I'm pretty accurate on my food amounts when logging. 2 eggs are 2 eggs all day long. I measure my yogurt and PB with measuring cups/spoons (and everything else that can be measured that way).

I'm going to go eat again to play it safe.

Peanut butter is one of those foods that can be way off when you use a measuring spoon (as opposed to a scale).

I didn't realize that.
Learn something new every day. Lol

denielle715

I'm almost at 1200 now. So I'll be over 1350-1400 by the end of the night.

Helloitsdan

What's working with your program so far?
What was starting weight and how much have you lost since then?

jgnatca

Have a list of calorie dense foods to go to at the end of the day and top yourself up. It might be a bite of chocolate, nuts, dried fruit or cheese. It doesn't take much to give you a couple hundred calories. If you are having trouble generally make sure you are getting enough protein daily to avoid unpleasant side effects (hair loss).

denielle715

Helloitsdan wrote: »

What's working with your program so far?
What was starting weight and how much have you lost since then?

Elaborate on first question?

Starting was 156. Current 150.8. Today is the start of my third week.

denielle715

jgnatca wrote: »

Have a list of calorie dense foods to go to at the end of the day and top yourself up. It might be a bite of chocolate, nuts, dried fruit or cheese. It doesn't take much to give you a couple hundred calories. If you are having trouble generally make sure you are getting enough protein daily to avoid unpleasant side effects (hair loss).

I will do that! Thanks for the idea.

Helloitsdan

What's working with your program so far?
What was starting weight and how much have you lost since then?