I can not seem to hit 1200 calories

JoannWalton

I dont know what to eat to hit 1200 calories, I am always about 360 short at the end of the day. I eat all of my protein but fall short on calories, carbs and fat. Any suggestions. I have never counted what I eat so I dont know what has calories at the end of the day.
Breakfast, instant apple cinnamon oatmeat
5 pretzels between then and lunch
Lunch smart one meal
5 pretzels between lunch and dinner
Dinner usually george forman chicken breast or broiled shrimp or talipa with salad and bushes baked beans.
What can I change to hit my limit?

aquietreader

What about adding in some fruit with the pretzels?

ChristineDiet

I'm on 1200 calories a day, feel free to add me and my diary is open to friends if you want to look. I'm working on trying to be as healthy as possible. I always make home-made food, sometimes it maybe slightly higher in calories but it has way more vitamins and nutrients than a ready meal. Good luck. x

kellymae04

You could add in some fruits, skim milk, snack on almonds. It's pretty easy to add those calories with a few pieces of fruit

paladeac

Add an egg in with breakfast.

Pebble321

More of what you are already eating is one way to do it.
Otherwise, add some more calorie dense foods - avocado, nuts, olive oil dressing on your salad, rice, potato, sweet potato, fruit, red meat, tuna in oil.

aubarnold

My diary is open as well, i am around 1200 a day but i am doing a lower carb diet....feel free to check mine out and friend me if you'd like

rhce40

try adding some calorie dense foods such as peanut butter. or adding some fruit to your current meals

shoeluver67

Throw in an Activia Yogurt or 2...the probiotics are good for you, and they run about 70 calories apiece (the Light ones)

pucenavel

A cup of rice

A small pile of pasta

A cup of yogurt

A glass of milk

A piece of toast with butter

benbobhenbob

monounsaturated fats like olive oil. Or just butter. Butter is delicious.

crzyone

I wish I had this problem!!!

Eat peanut butter!!! Or anything!!! Fruit!!! A granola bar instead of the pretzels. Add some barbecue sauce to your chicken or full Ranch dressing on your salad.

Good luck!!

Molly_Pitcher

Wine! a 4 oz glass of red wine is usally 100 calories and it is actually really good for you if you aren't overdoing it.

Jolenebib

Just some random thoughts:
Add more protein packed foods. Dairy? Low fat cheese, yogurt, milk. Dip your pretzels in hummus or peanut butter. You'll probably go over your protein, but it'll be okay. 2 TBSP of PB contains 200 calories. Hummus is also calorie dense and good for you with lots of protein. Also, add more fruit and veggies. Eat some carrots/celery with the pretzels. Take an apple. Buy some frozen veggies and eat them with your lunch.

larke15

I went to a nutritionist and was told to try to eat a fruit/veggie with every meal...snack more often!

gaylelynnbell

Some days I have the same problem. Usually if I'm way short, I have some apple slices or a banana with peanut butter.

thenance007

It is healthier to eat some protein with each meal and snack to keep metabolism high and slow down digestion of the carbs. You might add an egg with breakfast AND the almonds/nuts, a glass of milk, or some string cheese with your snacks.

I_get_fit

How about add some peanut butter, almond butter, or nutella - 2 tablespoons is about 200 calories.

If I'm low on calories I almost always add fat because it's so calorie dense.

camayallover

Try Special K bars or Greek Yogurt (fat free). Both are great in balancing carbs and protein and would fit. I love the strawberry meal replacement bars from Special K....yum!

Use them as a snack so I get 5 meals a day in without thinking about it...for me at my calories it works great. Hope this helps!

HannahMarieMcDougald

My diary is open add me :-D

abbybean11

try cutting up a real apple and putting it in your apple cinnamon oatmeal! nuts are a great and nutritious way to get calories (just a 1/4 cup of walnuts or almonds is over 200 calories).

RoboLikes

Maybe add fruit as a snack or dip the pretzels in a little peanut butter. You could also add steamed veggies or steamed brown rice to your meals as well. I am doing 1200 cal as well, feel free to add me!

megadon25

MORE fruits and veggies!! Also greek yogurt, almonds and eggs!

kristilovescake

eat more protein or "healthy fats" such as nuts, avocado, etc.

and you should add in more fruits and veggies and less processed foods and snacks

My opinion is that MFP has a low number for protein, so it's generally a good idea to go over a bit if you're exercising too

benbobhenbob

again, butter. Instead of cooking your chicken on a george foreman, pan sear it in a tablespoon each of olive oil and butter lightly dusted with flour.

amonkey9

Same boat...

jill___

I rarely meet 1200, but I don't think it's a big deal.

Looking at what you typically eat, I think you should replace those pretzels with fresh fruits and veggies -- maybe add a piece of fruit to your breakfast and lots of veggies with dinner.

I never go to bed hungry, I eat when I'm hungry, stop when I'm full. I eat tons of fresh fruits and veggies, and I exceed all of the nutrients I need. I think if you are getting enough protein, fiber, and all of your vitamins you don't run any risk of "starvation mode" (which I think is nonsense anyway!)

winw

Joan, you are not eating anything like enough fruits and vegetables. You need a minimum of five servings a day and should try to get more like nine. you need to add a fruit to all three meals and at least one more vegetable to dinner. Fortunately, they are relatively low in calories, so you can add lots for the 350 calories you still have.

Eating too few calories will sabotage your weight loss. You body needs more calories than you are giving it to live. As a result it will do several bad things: 1) slow down your metabolism so that you burn fewer calories and therefore hang onto the weight you have. 2) burn muscle tissue instead of fat - makes you weaker and definitely is not good for the body.

If you will add green beans, spinach or other greens, peas, winter squash, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, califlower, apples, oranges, cherries, pears, grapefruit, etc. to your diet you will have more energy and lose weight faster. You are not really giving your body the variety of foods it needs to get all the nutrients your need.

barboura

Don't stress over the 1200 calories right away! I was reading something that suggested take your IDEAL weight and multiply it by 10, and that's how many calories you should eat. (Ex: Goal is 150 lbs = 1500 calories a day)

If you add more fruits, you'll find the sugar going up and you probably don't want to do that. Snack on a hard boiled egg or some cheese about 30 - 40 minutes before a meal, that will help curb your appetite.

Good luck - you can do it after you've been on it for a while.

lmbtexas

I do not know if you are exercising as well as watching your caloric intake; if you are exercising, you definitely need to ensure your are eating a 1200 net calories per day in order to keep your metabolism from slowing down. I would definitely ad an apple or pear to both your snacks, these will help you feel full & add about 160-200 calories to your day. Adding 2 tablespoons olive oil when cooking chicken or make a vinagrette using it with some tarragon vinegar for salads/marinades will add a good fat & remaining calories. Good Luck!

gabbymom2

I am on something close to Atkins. I usually have a protein shake for breakfast. They are good, and you could also do a veggie/fruit one.