Low on my calorie intake what do i do?

lilojoke

Easy, protein shake in the afternoon and in the evening........boosts your calories and your body doesnt digest protein calories into fat so Protein all the way !!

Interesting idea...anyone else have thoughts on this?

I've always thought of protein shakes as a tool for bulking up...but that was based on seeing people drinking them who are trying to bulk up. I just assumed it was meant for that...I'm wrong I'm guessing?

No, they are for anyone who has a hard time hitting their protein macro or calorie levels with food alone.

I have a hard time eating all my calories so shakes and bars are needed I just get the healthiest one.

katzblood

Eat 1000 calorie dinner?

this

katzblood

almost a daily problem for me as well. I am stuck in an accadamy at the moment and don't have a choice on what to eat M-F and refuse to eat junk. I find it very hard to make the basic needs some days. After my workouts tonight I have 900 calories burned and 1 pack of oatmeal to get till my morning workout. I find most of the time I'm not even hungry for the extras and have to force down food late in the day to try and make the numbers. If you can snack on healthy food all day I would recomend that above all else. Nuts, Fruit, Veggies, Yougert, Cottage cheese, Things like that will add to you count, help keep you full, and if done right add to the macro numbers at the same time.

this too. Mmm snacks. I like raisens & popcorn.

lilojoke

Just eat what feels good for dinner. There is nothing wrong with having additional calories left over at the end of the day. For example, my goal caloric intake is 1500 (500 under what my body metabolizes. But I usually do a 600+ calorie workout. Most days I have 500 additional calories left at the end of the day. This just doubles the rate at which I'm losing because I'm still consuming enough that my body doesn't go into "starvation mode."

Eat your normal dinner, wait a little bit. If you're still hungry, make snack. There are no rules that say you must consume your calories!

Oh, and I focus on the weekly deficit more than the daily deficit because if I keep that much of a cushion all week, then I can eat a bit on the weekend without worrying.

There is such a think as "too large" of a deficit. This can slow your weight loss, make you miserable, and generally it just sucks.

I will kindly agree and disagree at the same time. What is a large deficit? I can understand if the person is doing marathon training and eating 1200 calories thats a no brainer but for the average person who lifts heavy 2-3 times a week and does some type of cardio couple times a week I really do not think there is a problem eating according to a depressed appetite IE lack of appetite or just plain not hungry.

I know people who live on a 1500 calorie diet and train hard and stay lean all year long. I also know people who train heavy eat like pigs and just bulk up just because of what the calculator says.

I also know people who have lost 100 plus pounds built a decent amount of muscle and as intense as they do train they gain on anything more then 1800 calories.

I think its all individual and I applaud those who can eat and enjoy! I sure am not going to kill myself to eat more food because of my exercise LOL.

Some people will understand me and some will not.

lilojoke

Eat 1000 calorie dinner?

this

Not that easy if your looking to eat healthfully or non stop for a while in my opinion. Now give me a small pizza thats 1000 calories and I can do it but that just brings on further bodily chemistry responses like hunger after wards with some people.

rjt1000

Easy, protein shake in the afternoon and in the evening........boosts your calories and your body doesnt digest protein calories into fat so Protein all the way !!

So I can eat all the protein I want and never get fat? Count me in!

That was my thought as well. If I slurp up 15,000 calories from protein shakes, the excess calories won't be stored as fat? What will they be stored as? Certainly not protein as all excess calories get stored as fat.

georgina1970

Protein shakes are a waste of money. Just go have a healthy meal and enjoy it.

sandrinamsilva

It doesn't even have to be a terribly healthy 1,000 calories. Honestly, if I had a good day, and did a workout, and had 1,000 cals to use on dinner - I'd have hotwings and beer.

YUP THIS

georgina1970

Eat a healthy meal and enjoy it. Try to balance your calories out throughout the day. Better to have a bit more for breakfast and lunch. Not such a good idea to have a huge/calorie rich meal in the evening - your body will just end up storing the energy as fat.

taso42

Open mouth, insert food, chew, swallow, repeat?

japruzze

Your diary isn't public so I can't make specific suggestions. In general, look at what you are eating and look for ways to up the calories by switching out items for higher calorie options. Things like swap non-fat for low-fat. Whole eggs for egg whites. Add almonds to your salad for extra calories and protien. If you aren't hungry you don't want to eat just because...that's how you got here. So find ways to work the numbers without adding snacks for the sake of eating more!

Jorra

Open mouth, insert food, chew, swallow, repeat?

This is the best advice yet. If I had 1000 calories left for the day I'd probably make myself a bacon cheeseburger. High in protein and delicious.

Kymmu

Eat 1000 calorie dinner?

this

Not that easy if your looking to eat healthfully or non stop for a while in my opinion. Now give me a small pizza thats 1000 calories and I can do it but that just brings on further bodily chemistry responses like hunger after wards with some people.

Excellent response. Eat according to appetite - not what some computer program says. As long as you are consuming enough top quality food, ( fresh, and clean with adequate protein and fat as well as vegetables,and you are no longer hungry - why would you go on to stuff yourself and feel uncomfortable? Or eat junk food because the computer says a certain number is left over?
Get back to listening to your body. We all know when we are truly hungry . We all know when we are too full.
Our instinct beats a computer program hands down in my opinion.

Sl1ghtly

Eat 1000 calorie dinner?

this

Not that easy if your looking to eat healthfully or non stop for a while in my opinion. Now give me a small pizza thats 1000 calories and I can do it but that just brings on further bodily chemistry responses like hunger after wards with some people.

Excellent response. Eat according to appetite - not what some computer program says. As long as you are consuming enough top quality food, ( fresh, and clean with adequate protein and fat as well as vegetables,and you are no longer hungry - why would you go on to stuff yourself and feel uncomfortable? Or eat junk food because the computer says a certain number is left over?
Get back to listening to your body. We all know when we are truly hungry . We all know when we are too full.
Our instinct beats a computer program hands down in my opinion.

They'll take over some day.. I just know it.

adamsilva

It doesn't even have to be a terribly healthy 1,000 calories. Honestly, if I had a good day, and did a workout, and had 1,000 cals to use on dinner - I'd have hotwings and beer.

^^^ Same or I'd have half a homemade pizza and ben n Jerry . As longs as if it fits in your macros (IIFYM)& IF.

athensguy

Easy, protein shake in the afternoon and in the evening........boosts your calories and your body doesnt digest protein calories into fat so Protein all the way !!

Uh oh, wait until the anti low carbers get a hold of that one!

It could be worse. The people that understand that protein is stored as fat if there is a calorie surplus might show up.

SandyChampWins

When I am low on my calorie intake I look to see where I am falling short...protein?, carbs?, Fat?...etc.

hiker282

Two words: Peanut butter! Seriously, it's magic happiness that can be enjoyed on a spoon. Do it!!!

athensguy

I usually reserve enough calories for one or two beers.

If after dinner I still have calories, I'll eat things like peanut butter sandwiches, nut mixes, oatmeal, and fruit.

peaches712799

your so lucky! Wish I had this problem at dinner time! I would say to use them to eat some high calorie healthy foods you may not be able to get on other days like peanut butter, whole grain pasta, almonds, and also tonight would be a great night to drink orange juice or a fruit juice with calories since you can afford it!
Just dont eat fatty foods. Try Quinoa or Long grain brown rice!

Actually, you DO want to eat fatty foods, as long as they are healthy fats, such as avocado, nuts, olive oil. These types of fats actually help you burn your body fat, faster. Our body needs a certain amount of healthy fat to work properly (just like your car needs oil, or the engine breaks down).

Other than that, I agree with everyone - eat 'em!

samhelen

Easy, protein shake in the afternoon and in the evening........boosts your calories and your body doesnt digest protein calories into fat so Protein all the way !!

Interesting idea...anyone else have thoughts on this?

I've always thought of protein shakes as a tool for bulking up...but that was based on seeing people drinking them who are trying to bulk up. I just assumed it was meant for that...I'm wrong I'm guessing?

There are all kinds of protein shakes out there -- some are used for bulking up but they're generally shakes with A LOT of calories -- and some with around 190-225 calories it just depends on the brand and the nutritional content.

rubycube86

I have this problem too sometimes. Today I had around 700 calories left. And that was AFTER pigging out on half a Galaxy bar. Might as well have had the full bar! It made me feel sick though which is good really considering I used to eat too much chocolate. I'm eating my three meals a day so it looks like I need to perhaps get more snacks in.

mskari77

Protein shakes are a waste of money. Just go have a healthy meal and enjoy it.

How do you figure they are a waste of money? They are a great way to ensure you are getting enough protein in your diet. I mix 2 scoops of 100% whey protein with water post-training, and another 2 scoops mixed with skim milk at night pre-bed.

lilojoke

Protein shakes are a waste of money. Just go have a healthy meal and enjoy it.

How do you figure they are a waste of money? They are a great way to ensure you are getting enough protein in your diet. I mix 2 scoops of 100% whey protein with water post-training, and another 2 scoops mixed with skim milk at night pre-bed.

^^^ THIS!!!

auditorz

Easy, protein shake in the afternoon and in the evening........boosts your calories and your body doesnt digest protein calories into fat so Protein all the way !!

Your body converts any excess calories to fat period. The human body can convert carbs to fat, it can convert protein to fat, and it can store fat as fat. If you eat 200 more calories then you burn you will gain weight regardless of the macro-nutrient ratio.

Now, if you don't get sufficient protein, you will lose muscle mass and lower you're daily metabolism. That is why sufficient protein intake is especially critical for people in a caloric deficit. As you continue to lose body fat you would like to maintain your metabolish, the only way to do this is to maintain muscle mass. Resitance training and sufficient protein intake are the best way to accomplish this goal.

You see so many people lose weight at first but then eventually gain it all back. They lose too much muscle mass during their caloric deficit, which causes their metabolism to be lowered, which causes them to have to eat even less to stay in a deficit and lose weight. This becomes a vicious cycle which makes continued weight loss more and more difficult. Eventually the dieter is basically having to starve themself to lose weight and they can't help but eventually give in to the human craving for food.

Eat at a slight caloric deficit. Consume adequate protein every day. Do resistence training every week. Those are the only requirements needed for fat loss.

pucenavel

I didnt have dinner yet

Here's a stretch:

Have dinner.

auditorz

Protein shakes are a waste of money. Just go have a healthy meal and enjoy it.

How do you figure they are a waste of money? They are a great way to ensure you are getting enough protein in your diet. I mix 2 scoops of 100% whey protein with water post-training, and another 2 scoops mixed with skim milk at night pre-bed.

Yes, protein shakes are a convenient way to hit macro targets. I aim to get my daily protein from real food, preferably fish, salmon, eggs, chicken, some red meats. I have protein shakes when I won’t be able to hit my targets with normal meals. I buy lactose free protein with no sweeteners or artificial ingredients. The only ingredient is 100% whey isolate.

Whey has a complete amino acid profile, so you get all essential components of protein. Some protein sources such as soy don’t have all the necessary amino acids people need so it shouldn’t be anybodies only source of protein.

2012party

Easy, protein shake in the afternoon and in the evening........boosts your calories and your body doesnt digest protein calories into fat so Protein all the way !!

Your body converts any excess calories to fat period. The human body can convert carbs to fat, it can convert protein to fat, and it can store fat as fat. If you eat 200 more calories then you burn you will gain weight regardless of the macro-nutrient ratio.

Now, if you don't get sufficient protein, you will lose muscle mass and lower you're daily metabolism. That is why sufficient protein intake is especially critical for people in a caloric deficit. As you continue to lose body fat you would like to maintain your metabolish, the only way to do this is to maintain muscle mass. Resitance training and sufficient protein intake are the best way to accomplish this goal.

You see so many people lose weight at first but then eventually gain it all back. They lose too much muscle mass during their caloric deficit, which causes their metabolism to be lowered, which causes them to have to eat even less to stay in a deficit and lose weight. This becomes a vicious cycle which makes continued weight loss more and more difficult. Eventually the dieter is basically having to starve themself to lose weight and they can't help but eventually give in to the human craving for food.

Eat at a slight caloric deficit. Consume adequate protein every day. Do resistence training every week. Those are the only requirements needed for fat loss.

Well said!!

mskari77

Protein shakes are a waste of money. Just go have a healthy meal and enjoy it.

How do you figure they are a waste of money? They are a great way to ensure you are getting enough protein in your diet. I mix 2 scoops of 100% whey protein with water post-training, and another 2 scoops mixed with skim milk at night pre-bed.

Yes, protein shakes are a convenient way to hit macro targets. I aim to get my daily protein from real food, preferably fish, salmon, eggs, chicken, some red meats. I have protein shakes when I won’t be able to hit my targets with normal meals. I buy lactose free protein with no sweeteners or artificial ingredients. The only ingredient is 100% whey isolate.

Whey has a complete amino acid profile, so you get all essential components of protein. Some protein sources such as soy don’t have all the necessary amino acids people need so it shouldn’t be anybodies only source of protein.

No one said it should be her, or their only source of protein. I aim to get most of my protein from whole foods as well. I do, however, drink water with 100% whey isolate protein after training to aid in muscle recovery.....it conveniently also helps up my protein intake for the day. I do agree if she is 1000 calories under her daily goal, then she should in fact go eat a healthy, high protein meal. But getting extra protein in your diet, if you need it, through a protein shake isn't really a waste of money......unless you were referring to one of those pre-made meal replacement shakes you can buy in a 4 pack from your local grocer, then I agree.

alyssaxonestel

I didnt have dinner yet

Here's a stretch:

Have dinner.

Thanks! that one really helped !!!