Conflicting calorie advice

MFP gives me 1340 cals a day but a nutritionist said 1500. Totally confused and not losing.

Replies

  • hayleyf6051
    hayleyf6051 Posts: 52 Member
    Ah I think they may be doing TDEE... I've been trying for a few weeks at 1500. The only complication is ive been unwell so doing a bit less than normal.
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,126 Member
    I would get some clarification from the nutritionist to confirm the method they are using.

    What is your height, currrent weight and goal weight?
  • hayleyf6051
    hayleyf6051 Posts: 52 Member
    5"6, 79kg. Would like to be 66-69kg
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,126 Member
    At sedentary your TDEE would put you around 1800-1900 calories for maintenance. You have a small margin of error at 1500 calories so you need to make sure your logging is honest and precise.

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  • hayleyf6051
    hayleyf6051 Posts: 52 Member
    Is that whyMFP says1340? So I definitely have a defecit?
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,126 Member
    edited September 2017
    Did you choose 1lb per week loss when you set it up?

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  • hayleyf6051
    hayleyf6051 Posts: 52 Member
    Yes 0.5kg
  • hayleyf6051
    hayleyf6051 Posts: 52 Member
    I didn't think I could stick to 1200 cals to lose 1kg a week
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,126 Member
    That's likely why it's different then. You can do either method but if you're using MFP's number remember to factor in some of your exercise calories. If you're using MFP's database or machine readouts it's best to start with eating back around 50% of the calorie burn it gives you as the totals can be inaccurate.

    The not losing weight issue I would be 99% sure is down to logging, if you open your diary up could take a look and see if anything jumps out (Settings> Sharing & Privacy Settings>Diary Sharing)
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,126 Member
    I didn't think I could stick to 1200 cals to lose 1kg a week

    You don't have enough to lose to have that aggressive a rate to be honest. 0.25-0.5kg is about right for what you have to lose. 1kg per week is only really suitable for those who are obese.
  • hayleyf6051
    hayleyf6051 Posts: 52 Member
    Thank you! I've opened up my diary :) I've changed the setting to 1340, rather than 1500 as the way MFP does it seems easier.
    And will ensure I log accurately
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    edited September 2017
    Is that whyMFP says1340? So I definitely have a defecit?

    No - it's lower than the TDEE method for the same rate of loss because the calorie goal here excludes exercise.
    With TDEE the goal already includes an average of your exercise, MFP goal you add an estimate of your exercise after the event.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Most likely the nutritionist included exercise in your intake, where MFP says to eat 1340 plus eat back what you burn from exercise, so should get you to a similar place/deficit by the end of the week.
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,126 Member
    The few things I pick up just from the last few days of your logging:

    Sunday as an example
    • logged bran flakes but no milk, also are you weighing out 50g or just estimating?
    • Chip shop - portion of chips 50g - 50g of chips is not a lot, it's about 10 chips. If you're making themselves log the potato, the oil, etc, if if was a small portion from an actual chip shop, you'd be looking at anywhere between 200-400g.
    • Chicken Breast - 1 Breast no weight logged. The weight can be pretty different from portion to portion.

    There are also a lot of quick adds, 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil - if that's a guess can make a big difference.
  • hayleyf6051
    hayleyf6051 Posts: 52 Member
    The few things I pick up just from the last few days of your logging:

    Sunday as an example
    • logged bran flakes but no milk, also are you weighing out 50g or just estimating?
    • Chip shop - portion of chips 50g - 50g of chips is not a lot, it's about 10 chips. If you're making themselves log the potato, the oil, etc, if if was a small portion from an actual chip shop, you'd be looking at anywhere between 200-400g.
    • Chicken Breast - 1 Breast no weight logged. The weight can be pretty different from portion to portion.

    There are also a lot of quick adds, 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil - if that's a guess can make a big difference.

    Thank you! I do measure as much as I can, but I tend to estimate the olive oil so will change that.
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,126 Member
    The few things I pick up just from the last few days of your logging:

    Sunday as an example
    • logged bran flakes but no milk, also are you weighing out 50g or just estimating?
    • Chip shop - portion of chips 50g - 50g of chips is not a lot, it's about 10 chips. If you're making themselves log the potato, the oil, etc, if if was a small portion from an actual chip shop, you'd be looking at anywhere between 200-400g.
    • Chicken Breast - 1 Breast no weight logged. The weight can be pretty different from portion to portion.

    There are also a lot of quick adds, 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil - if that's a guess can make a big difference.

    Thank you! I do measure as much as I can, but I tend to estimate the olive oil so will change that.

    I found spray oil a great alternative for pan frying and roasting.
  • hayleyf6051
    hayleyf6051 Posts: 52 Member
    I just had the fright of my life when I weighed the milk I put into tea!
  • xxzenabxx
    xxzenabxx Posts: 935 Member
    MFP gives me 1340 cals a day but a nutritionist said 1500. Totally confused and not losing.

    I think stick to around 1340 calories cause you might be eating 1500 through logging errors but if you do exercise eat back half the calories. Do strength training as that will keep your metabolism high so more fat burning! Yay.
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,126 Member
    I just had the fright of my life when I weighed the milk I put into tea!

    You can measure rather than weight it, but yeah weighing stuff can be a bit of a wake up call. I was amazed how much I was underestimating cereal, pasta, rice, etc. Sometimes triple the recommended portion size :o
  • hayleyf6051
    hayleyf6051 Posts: 52 Member
    I just had the fright of my life when I weighed the milk I put into tea!

    You can measure rather than weight it, but yeah weighing stuff can be a bit of a wake up call. I was amazed how much I was underestimating cereal, pasta, rice, etc. Sometimes triple the recommended portion size :o


    Thank you so much!
  • hayleyf6051
    hayleyf6051 Posts: 52 Member
    It's a shock how few calories you can actually have! Or rather, how little it translates into.