1200 calories a day

Rklopf

Hey everyone, I'm currently on a 1200 ca/day diet--- which has helped me lose a lot of weight (along with weight training/cardio and drinking lots of water). Usually I'm pretty good about making the most of those calories by eating fruits/vegetables, high fiber/protein, and making sure it can sustain me throughout the day.

For those of you also limiting your calories, would you mind sharing some of the food that you find help fills you up without being loaded with calories? I need to expand my menu

AlsDonkBoxSquat

My diary is open, I hit my goal in early July, but before that I was on 1200 a day. Pretty much if I wanted it bad enough, I went to the gym and earned it.

infamousmk

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/300056-1200-calorie-a-day-menu

DaniiWanii

Take a look at my diary

AJDistel

Biggest loser cookbook has lots of yummy recipes that are really low in calories. You can also find some of their recipes online for free.

lbgano

I love the Thomas Light english muffins. 100 calories for 1 muffin plus a bunch of fiber. I also love Chavire chevre cheese. I don't eat cow milk (gives me acne) but small amounts of goat milk seem okay and this cheese is only 50 calories for 2TBS. It really helps the "fat" cravings.

carmendick

Lean Cuisines have been fantastic so far! Never having enough time to sit and actually eat a meal (I have a 13 month old) also helps. Smart Ones aren't so bad, although LCs seem to have a better flavor. Lunch meat (Boar's Head has a pamphlet at the store with all the calories, fat, etc.) on whole wheat bread, lots and lots and lots of water. Diet Arizona Lemon Flavor Iced Tea has zero calories, zero sugars... Whenever I do splurge, I make sure it's worth it, and do extra cardio/weight training to counter it. Such a pain, but hey, the end result is totally worth it!!!

charlene77

Bumping this one...great post! lol

tiffypooh2u

Sugar Free Jell-O with fat free whipped topping!

Quaker Chewy granola bars

Nature's Valley Sweet and Salty Almond granola bars

Tillapia with lemon juice (instead of butter or wine)

Pork Chops with Shake and Bake (Parmesan flavor) the Shake and Bake only has like 35 calories or something like that as opposed to other breading which is much higher.

Propel ZERO

Vitamin water ZERO

Pepperidge farm 7 grain 45 calorie bread (BEST INVESTMENT EVER... I love bread!)

Luigi's italian ice cups ( 100 calories per cup- however, there are low fat ones that are not that great!)

Lay's light potato chips ( 75 calories for 20 chips)

Strawberries sprinkled with Truvia (very low and very delicious!)

Rice pudding snack packs (the low calorie ones)

Check out my diary, I have lots of stuff on there that I use. I do a lot of things the same every day because I just get addicted to the stuff and can't stop. I hope this helped you out at least a little bit! Good luck on your journey. 1200 calories gets easier as you learn the low calorie foods that there are to help you along the way! Request me as a friend if you would like some motivation

Mswalker81

Bananas and string cheese combo or baby carrots and danon yogurt are my snacks of choice.

apmemo

Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Edamame is low calorie, high protein and fiber and is a good sub for nuts
PB2 is a great alternative to peanut butter (and better ingredients too!) with only 45 calories for 2 tbsp instead of 200 with regular peanut butter
Walden Farms has an entire line of calorie free dressings and condiments, including chocolate and pancake syrup
Berries are low calorie, low sugar, and high antioxidant

carmendick

Low fat cottage cheese is great, too!!! Most of time we aren't actually hungry, but thirsty!!! So drinks LOTS of water, as it helps your body burn the fat!!!

TyHobbit

I actually sometimes will have a hard times getting "enough" calories (at least that's what my trainer thinks), yet I don't get hungry all that often. Most formulas say I should be getting about 2,400 a day, but I usually only do between 1800 to 2000. I'm sure that's actually better, but it just seams funny that I have the opposite problem now.

My wife and I use a nutritious meal replacement shake. We have one for breakfast, then a good snack, then another for lunch, another decent snack, and a good meal.

If you go with a shake replacement just make sure you do your homework. There are a head-spinning array of choices out there, and not all shakes are created equally. Make sure you choose one that fills your body with lots of extra nutrients that your body will need that it usually gets from food.

lbgano

Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Edamame is low calorie, high protein and fiber and is a good sub for nuts
PB2 is a great alternative to peanut butter (and better ingredients too!) with only 45 calories for 2 tbsp instead of 200 with regular peanut butter
Walden Farms has an entire line of calorie free dressings and condiments, including chocolate and pancake syrup
Berries are low calorie, low sugar, and high antioxidant

What is PB2?

apmemo

http://www6.netrition.com/bell_plantation_pb2.html

PB2 is basically a powdered peanut butter. They press the peanut to remove the fat and oil, resulting in a product with only about 1.5 grams of fat per serving. It comes in regular and chocolate. You mix equal parts powder and water when you are ready to use it. The chocolate is amazing, and I sometimes find myself eating it dry! The regular flavor tastes exactly like peanut butter, and even my picky husband eats it!

Rklopf

Wow, thanks everyone!

chubswonky

Also at 1200 calories per day and would LOVE more 1200 calorie friends!

My life savers are Thomas' 1/3 Fiber English muffins- 8 grams of fiber and only 100 calories.
and Arnold's Sandwich thins- they're lower in fiber though.

lbgano

http://www6.netrition.com/bell_plantation_pb2.html

PB2 is basically a powdered peanut butter. They press the peanut to remove the fat and oil, resulting in a product with only about 1.5 grams of fat per serving. It comes in regular and chocolate. You mix equal parts powder and water when you are ready to use it. The chocolate is amazing, and I sometimes find myself eating it dry! The regular flavor tastes exactly like peanut butter, and even my picky husband eats it!

Thanks!!!

otr12

I put 4 egg whites in a cup and stir in some veggies, usually shredded zucchini, onion and mushrooms. Spread it out in a non stick skillet, cover, and cook on medium low for about 10 minutes. When it's solid I cut it in half, add sliced tomatoes and fat free cream cheese to one side and cover it with the other side. Heat through and eat. Usually comes in at around 200 calories and no fat. Plus it's a huge pile of food.

mags2504

bump

crazycat80

I'm on a 1260 a day diet and barely squeak by, but I try to make it count. I treat myself to a skinny cow every evening. It's almost the first thing in the log in the morning. My favorites to keep me full all day:
Mini pretzels (snyders are awesome)
nonfat yogurts
apples
bananas
various types of salad greens
a meat (because it's more filling)
Oatmeal to go bars (though they are a little high in calories)
cheerios
peanut butter for my apples and bananas

fiberartist219

I find myself working out a lot so I can eat more. I was doing ok eating lots of veggies at first, but then something inside me snapped, and I am ravenous. Working out burns some of those extra calories, so I am close to my goal on most days.

McMamma38

I'm also doing 1,200 calories a day.I've lost 60 pounds since I started my weight loss journey on May8th!

I love 100 calorie pack almonds

Laughing Cow 35 cal flovored Light cheese wedges

Weight Watcher products(both bought at my weekly meeting place and in grocery store,esp.BJ's warehouse)

light yogurts-by Weight Watchers,Dannon or Yoplait

sugar free,fat free pudding cups(Jello brand)

dgarblik

Bumppp

Katie1015

I love Greek Yogurt - Chobani is the best brand in my opinion. Their blueberry flavor for me is like having a healthy treat! I usually eat this after my workouts in the morning, excellent source of protein. I would say it's an acquired taste (if you're used to other nonfat yogurt varieties out there like Yoplait), but after second time of eating Chobani I got addicted, it flies off the grocery store shelves too lately!

swtkaylasmommy

i'm on 1200 a day too. i tend to eat 2 eggs scrambled and loaded with veggies in the morning with coffee...it keeps me full for most of the day. my lunch varies the most. I love sandwhich rounds (sarah lee, arnold and natures own makes them) they are only 100 calories so filled with turkey lettuce and tomato i have a great 200 calorie sandwich with a side of carrot stix or any veggie really. dinners i eat a lot of talapia or chicken. i've been experimenting with different recipes trying to find substitutes for my fav dishes without losing the hearty great taste i love so much. last night i made raw "pasta" tonight i'm making cauliflower "rice." my fave desert is activia cherry yogurt with mini wheats mixed in (my healthy version of cherry pie,lol). it's tough but we can do it and get the smokin' bodies we want.
good luck!!

limsilas

thanks for all the tips, people! i'm on 1200/day too.