Are you satisfied with two pieces of pizza?

fastfoodietofitcutie · February 2019

I’m really struggling with portion sizes. I have a really hard time just eating two pieces of pizza, 5 tortilla chips, 1/2 cup of ice cream, etc.. Granted this is all “junk” food but I am not ready to eliminate foods I like completely so I’m trying to fit them into my calorie allowance. Sometimes I’ll have enough calories to double a serving but for things like pizza, if I ate 4 slices it would wipe out my day.

So far I’m doing pretty good and staying within my calories but it’s becoming physically and emotionally painful to not eat more. It’s not that I’m hungry, I just want it. And no, I don’t want to make healthier versions of these foods.

L1zardQueen · February 2019

I was able at one time to split a pizza with my husband but when I started tracking my calorie and then realized how many calories I was eating, I stopped. I am satisfied with two slices now. Eat it slowly and savor the pizza. I also make my own pizza and control what I put on it.

aokoye · February 2019

Yes, I'm actually typically ok with one slice of pizza and a cookie (the place I normally get pizza at also has very good cookies). Two slices would be more than enough. Sometimes I have a cider as well, but more often than not I don't.

pinuplove · February 2019

You might be a good candidate for calorie cycling. What is your daily calorie goal? Some people prefer to eat less 5 or 6 days a week and use those banked calories for a higher, more indulgent day.

To answer your question, my standard is 4 slices of thin crust with ham and pineapple. Unless it's homemade, in which we make individual pizzas with each pizza crust containing roughly the equivalent of 1 cup of flour, plus oil, toppings, etc. Then I eat the whole darn thing and just accept the consequences on the scale the next morning as worth it.

deannalfisher · February 2019

If it’s good pizza yes but if it’s cheap pizza no

Andy97886 · February 2019

If you haven't already make sure you're adding volume to your pizza, I and others find what works is adding a lot of veggies and protein to your pizza as cheese by it self barely has enough protein on its own. So for me i would add mushrooms, baby spinach, banana peppers and chicken to my pizza instead of just eating a plain cheese pizza

try2again · February 2019

I can't find the link, but a female comedian once had a routine about how a person has to have at least 3 slices to properly enjoy pizza. The first one is just getting revved up and realizing you are eating pizza. The second one is really good, but you can't enjoy it if you know it's the last one. But 3 is perfect.

It depends on the pizza, but yes, I can be happy with 2 slices, especially if the meal is rounded out with something else like a salad. When I was younger and at the height of my irresponsible eating, I can remember going to a local pizza buffet and eating probably 3/4 of a pizza. The thought makes me sick now, even though I am still overweight. Sometimes simply going with thin crust can reduce the calories from 300 to 200 a slice, and then I might still have a 3rd. Investigate the menu options & calorie info for your favorite pizza places and you may find something you like that would give you a little more leeway.

Idontcareyoupick · February 2019

Not always satisfied with the portions I can have. Either try to bulk up with veggies on the side or sometimes just won't eat it since I can't eat what I want. Unfortunately, to stay healthy and keep the weight down that is the new normal and have to adjust

AllOutof_Bubblegum · February 2019

I find I'm a lot more physically and emotionally satisfied with one or two slices of pizza if I have a big salad before. I view the salad as my meal, and the pizza afterwards as a treat. With desserts like ice cream, having a serving of yogurt or fruit before has the same effect.

seltzermint555 · February 2019

It depends on the pizza. If it's an original or thicker crust and has meat on it, I'm satisfied with 2 slices. My husband likes to make/order thin crust veggie pizza most of the time and I'm satisified with 3, sometimes 4 slices of that.

For any "heavier" or junk food type item I try to incorporate it into my day by having lighter or smaller meals to allow for it. I would much rather have eggs and fruit for breakfast, veggie-heavy light lunch, and then go all out with a big burger and onion rings, than be the person ordering a bunless grilled chicken and salad.

try2again · February 2019

I'm not trying to encourage finding ways to gorge yourself, but you might want to look at how aggressive your weekly weight loss goal is. Many set it for 2 lbs a week when that is really only for those who are very obese. Changing to 1 lb/week will likely give a person more calories to work with and make the entire process more sustainable.

estherdragonbat · February 2019

Yeah, one or two is usually enough for me. But then I'm short and need fewer calories (5'3" and on 1340 to lose 1/2lb per week). Even at my heaviest, I rarely had more than two slices, though I'd often have more sides and/or dessert to round off the meal.

kenthepainter2 · February 2019

I love pizza but it has way too many calories, I avoid it because I cant eat just 2 slices/ 500 cal or so.

kami3006 · February 2019

For me two are fine. The place we get ours from is 280 calories per 121g serving. Two pieces usually come to 1.8 servings for me. So, 504 calories. I'm usually full with that and it fits fine into my regularly daily goal.

If it's a really good pizza from an Italian restaurant, then I usually am good with two but, of course, the calories are higher. I follow a weekly calorie goal so it's no issue to balance it out over the week if I need to.

For other things, I don't go with serving sizes on the packages. I take what I want based on the calories I have available. Usually 28g of chips are fine as a side, but if it's part of an entree (like nachos) then it's usually 1.5 servings or so. Other stuff, like ice cream, I have 1.25-1.75 servings.

Most of the stuff just became the new norm and not an issue. For more calorie dense foods/meals, the weekly goal helped a ton.

ETA: I'm also a small female. Bigger folk, especially men, will want/need more. No way my husband would be okay with just two, but then he has twice my calorie allowance.

Phirrgus · February 2019

Not really. Most days I can go almost the entire day with little to no food, so if I know I'm having pizza that night I make room. Depending on the pizza, 3-5 slices for me.

Lounmoun · February 2019

I usually pair the 2 pieces of pizza with a low calorie salad.
A smaller amount of pretzels or popcorn is more satisfying than chips to me.
I'm not a big dessert eater but if I take my time and really savor a small dish of ice cream or a cookie it is more satisfying. I hold the food in my mouth for a bit and really try to notice the flavor and texture.
A smaller amount of dark chocolate is more satisfying to me.

There are lower calorie versions of products to try or make your own.

Try making this cheesecake for a dessert-> https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10500016/low-calorie-protein-cheesecake/p1

Toadstool_ · February 2019

Nope! I have a big appetite, particularly at dinner and I just don't find 2 slices cuts it. I don't buy takeaway pizza anymore as it is just so calorific, so opt for either frozen pizza or I make my own, but I'll eat the whole thing. I stick to the lower calorie ones, or if I'm making my own, limit the cheese and use healthier toppings. Every Friday night is my partner and I's pizza night as a treat for the week. This Friday came in to a total of 1450 calories for the day, 750 of which was the pizza. When the day's otherwise made up of things like salad, fruit and yoghurt, the pizza is easy enough to fit in and it's more sustainable as a way for me to eat in the long run. I've tried super healthy and restrictive before, and well, I'm back here again! Whilst the weight came off, I just couldn't keep it up. This is proving to be much easier as it doesn't feel like a diet - I just log ahead and keep the day in control to allow for the occasional unhealthy dinner.

Sabine_Stroehm · February 2019

Nope. Not for pizza. I'd rather make a lower calorie one.

Duck_Puddle · February 2019

No. I am not satisfied by 1-2 slices of pizza, 1/2 cup ice cream, etc (although the ice cream might be close). As such, I can’t fit these things into a normal day because in order to stay in my calories; I’m still hungry-or to not be hungry, I’m over my calories.

I save some calories from most days and have one day where I’m over my goal (but within my weekly goal). That allows me to actually “fit in” calorie-dense foods in portions that I find satisfying or in addition to foods that will help me be full.

zeejane03 · February 2019

I just had two slices of pizza for lunch (Little Caesers). Paired it with one bread stick and a can of diet Coke and called it good lol. Husband and the kids just came back from a retreat so it was a quick and easy lunch

ouryve · February 2019

Depends on the size of the pizza but I can quite happily eat about 500kcal worth of pizza, with salad on the side. Or I could if cheese didn't do unspeakable things to me, at the moment. Sigh.

dsboohead · February 2019

What I've been doing is having 2 (reasonable) slices of pizza and cutting it up in bite size pieces. I also have a salad with italian dressing and mix the pizza pieces into the salad. Much more filling then I'm done.

cwolfman13 · February 2019

I don't moderate pizza by eating a couple slices, I moderate pizza by only eating it a couple times per month. A higher calorie day here and there isn't really a big deal IMO. I usually also eat a bit lighter during the day when I know it's pizza night. The last one we had I had a 1 egg/2 egg white omelette with veggies and half an avocado for breakfast and a large garden salad for lunch and then I enjoyed all the pizza.