HELP WITH LOW-CAL FOOD?!?!

stilettofury

Please help! I have a 1200 base calorie limit, and I am ALWAYS hungry! I need to know some foods that are low-calorie, but still filling. I do drink a lot of Rec Bull almost every day, but I have to, just to keep myself awake. I need ideas that are less than 100 calories, please!

kurenaikumo

Drinking a ton of Red Bull to stay awake? Either you're not sleeping long enough, or I'd get your hemoglobin checked for anemia or a thyroid problem. I've been there, being tired all the time sucks! Supplements are an easier and healthier fix if it's an underlying health issue Those are just 110 empty calories you're wasting there on every drink! You could eat snacks instead!

Far as 100 cal snacks, I like fruit, veggies with fat free ranch, pretzel sticks (110 per serving, close enough LOL) or a small salad with fat free dressing and misc. veggies in it.

MarincicS

Based on the amount of weight you want to lose, it seems like your calorie limit is very low. How much are you set to lose each week? I would think one pound would be plenty. If you are feeling that hungry, then i think it's not set quite right.

Are you at least drinking diet Red Bull? If not, consider switching to a few shots of espresso to keep you going and replacing those calories with proteins. Lean proteins are probably good for making you feel more full longer. Tuna, chicken or turkey probably.

In terms of low cal foods, most fresh veggies are very low. You could eat bags of baby spinach for 50 calories. Maybe the same in 2 whole cucumbers or green peppers. But i suspect you'll just be hungry again quite soon after.

When i'm feeling really hungry, i often have a small handful of almonds.

You might also try opening your diary so people can have a look and try to help you.

hannydee

Just eat more. 1200 NET is far too low for the majority of people anyway.

Snacks that would be filling are anything protein-based. Greek yoghurt, meat, eggs, cheese, milk, etc.

roachhaley

pickles
most fruit
air popped popcorn with seasonings
home made fruit smoothie
tomatoes
egg whites
green beans
peas
peanut butter (be careful with this one)
crispbread
1/2 bagel
fruit juice popsicles
some canned soups have less than 100 calories

those are some of my regulars!

stilettofury

Thanks for all the input. I've been trying to stick to a lot of veggies and whatnot, but I just stay hungry. And @kurenakumo, I really don't get enough sleep, with a demanding job and a 3 year old at home...the Red Bull is almost a necessary evil. But sugar-free may be an option. I just don't know what to do. I'll fix a huge salad, and be hungry again 30 minutes later. I think I made my log public so y'all can look and see how I'm screwing it up. Again, thanks so much for all the help!

NoSharpei

Hi there stilettofury. I am also on 1200 cals per day. Whenever I am particularly hungry between meals one of my favourite snacks are little bags of "Simply Nature's Mix" - sultanas, pumpkin seeds, almonds and cranberries (by Uncle Toby's). Although the bags are only little, they are very nutritious, filling.. and delicious! - 152 cals per bag (If you are not in Australia, this particular brand is likely not available, but you should be able to find something similar where you live)..

roachhaley

I looked at your diary. PLEASE cut out some of the soda and red bull. I'm normally not so concerned about this but you're having one almost every meal (sometimes 2).

I promise you that if you cut out all of the soda and replace those calories with protein, carbs and fat you'll feel MUCH better during the day. Try and wean yourself off of them.

protein protein protein

Zichu

Maybe you should switch to Coffee and Tea instead of drinking Red Bull. Full of sugar, you will essentially be eliminating all those wasted calories by not drinking it.

Plus I was just reading that Red Bull only has like 80mg of Caffeine per can whereas certain coffee's can have up to like 200mg. Just find one that has around 100mg per cup or something?

NoSharpei

I absolutely 1000% agree with roachhaley. I just looked at your diary too. The reason you are so tired is likely more to do with the fact that you are malnourished. The incredible number of Red Bull's that you consume each week is not meeting your nutritional needs. Perhaps you might consider a couple of visits with a qualified dietician? He or she can discuss your specific needs and point you in the direction of meals that will meet both your nutritional requirements as well as your lifestyle and food preferences. Please, please, please start weaning yourself off the Red Bull (...I used to drink 12 coffees a day - hollow, nothing calories that rob you of allowance better attributed to good food!) ... All the best to you. I hope you work this out :flowerforyou:

jo_marnes

Is this a troll? Seriously. You are hungry because you drink your calories in the form of a nutritionally worthless, caffeine and sugar filled soft drink.

mruntidy

I agree with Zichu, coffee or tea are much better than red bull especially in that amount - especially with the amount of taurine in it. Though synthetic in red bull I remember studying it in psychology at college and the effects were not very nice. I upped my dairy too and found I had a slight outbreak of acne but can't really place if that was down to how much I sweat in the gym i.e. blocking pores or the dairy products. Someone looked at my profile and said to me that my dairy was too high so i swapped this out for chicken and turkey.

Like Hanny says protein will keep you fuller for longer and in the long run is better for you too and can be eaten hot or cold and used as a base food product in many meals and snacks to supplement your salads.

stilettofury

No, not a troll, Jo. Just someone who's never really bothered to eat healthy before, and is trying to improve herself. Everyone else, thanks so much for the advice...I'll definitely be looking into other alternatives for my caffeine fix and bulking up on more protein. I appreciate all yall's patience and help

seebeachrun

Kick the redbull habit ASAP. I lost 10 pounds when I cut out regular soda. If you have to have the caffeine fix go for tea or coffee. I would normally say diet soda but with the level of redbull you're drinking, I would be concerned that you would overdrink the diet sodas as well (they have a lot of sodium not to mention chemicals.)

Once you switch to tea or coffee use a low cal sweetener like stevia or truvia that way you're still not wasting calories on your drinks and you can start eating those calories in the form of food which is way more filling.

feistyhorsegal

I drink heaps of V, so I know where you are coming from with the Red Bull. I cut down to 2 small cans a day and only drink the sugar free variety. Think the sugar free Red bull is only 10 calories a can? And then you can spend the rest of your calories eating good, nutritious food. So you'll feel less hungry and probably have more energy from the good food!

edited to add, just looked at your diary, and my gosh you do have a bad red bull habit. I'd defintely try to cut back to 2 a day and swap to sugarfree. You are really not providing your body with much nutrition at all. I agree you need protein as others have said but also fruit and veges as there really isn't much of that in your diet. The reason you are getting hungry after the salads is because its all lettuce practically. I'd be slicing up all sorts of vegies and stuff in there, maybe even a little low fat cheese and maybe toast some almonds or something, or even a bit of chicken breast in there. It needs to be a much more complete meal.

chelledawg14

When I need a fix of energy - I will drink 1/2 can of a Rockstar zero carb which has, I think, 10 cals per 8 oz.. I consider it a 'treat" and only do it once or twice a week. Some filling things I keep with me are always peanuts, almonds or cashews - I weigh out 1/2 servings and keep them in baggies so they're pre-measured. Another is Cascadia Farms cinnamon crunch cereal - 1 cup is only 150 calories. Celery is a good one if you have somewhere cold to keep it on hand. Another is Fiber One brownies or bars for only 90 calories. For protein bars, I'll buy them but cut them in half or quarters and wrap them up - protein bars take up too many calories for me, but if I have a bite when I'm hungry, it gives me what I need. Finally, if I need a chocolate fix, I keep 10 plain M&M's with me. I always precount/measure so I don't go over.

kitkatwag

You would be very surprised to see what you can loose by just cutting out the calorie drinks. My philosophy is that I would rather eat my calories. Diet Dr. Pepper is the closest to the "real" one. You can also get Coke Zero now that has splenda in it so the sweetness is there. I use boiled eggs or 3oz cans of tuna for extra protein they are easy and 70 and 80 calories respectively. Also what do you have in your salads? Are they mainly lettuce? If so you should try adding other fresh veggies that have more fiber in them like broccoli and cauliflour. I eat tons of fruit and veggies a day and slip in some protein, not much bread, rice or potatoes. All my days aren't perfect but mostly not hungry. I agree as well that you may need to adjust your calorie intake up a little

HollywoodDJ

I looked at your diary. PLEASE cut out some of the soda and red bull. I'm normally not so concerned about this but you're having one almost every meal (sometimes 2).

I promise you that if you cut out all of the soda and replace those calories with protein, carbs and fat you'll feel MUCH better during the day. Try and wean yourself off of them.

protein protein protein

GREAT ADVICE....and she's right! Use your calories for food...not drinks! Limit those pops and Red Bull and try to get rid of them all together. Good Luck!

Protein ....Protein....Protein ...

I am also at a 1200 calorie and day intake and I fill up with cottage cheese, eggs, low calorie bread like Sara Lee or Village Hearth light. Those sandwiches really help me get through the day.

kitkatwag

Oh and add a multi-vitamin

Onesnap

I'm never hungry on 1200 NET.

Eat clean.

Check out Everyday Food for recipe ideas and easy logging (nutrition info listed)

Thedreamer1985

someone told me just drink *tons* of water in between because sometimes we are really thirsty compared to hungry... go for veggies like carrots - for one half baggie fills me up its only 35 calories - no dip, i am more of a fruit eater - so i have grapes apples (only 52 calories in the apple cut up)

when i wasnt tracking my drinks - made a HUGE difference i stopped drinking starbucks lattees, i stopped drinking tea that had 200 calories in a can... i only tracked my food... maybe cut out all the calories drinks - coffee has like 2.5 calories in a 8 oz cup i think...

good luck

hypergrl

Thanks for all the input. I've been trying to stick to a lot of veggies and whatnot, but I just stay hungry. And @kurenakumo, I really don't get enough sleep, with a demanding job and a 3 year old at home...the Red Bull is almost a necessary evil. But sugar-free may be an option. I just don't know what to do. I'll fix a huge salad, and be hungry again 30 minutes later. I think I made my log public so y'all can look and see how I'm screwing it up. Again, thanks so much for all the help!

Well all the sugar in Red Bull is going to mess up your sugar balances, which maybe why you are getting hungry and not sleeping well. Another thing is caffeine stimulates hunger. Try replacing the sugar with fruit and cheese or nuts. Anything with fiber helps you stay full longer too. Also, how much water are you drinking. Your body will make you think you are hungry, but you could really be dehydrated.

Oh yeah and I agree get a multi-vitamin that has B vitamin complex. Also, when I absolutely need to I will drink a five hour energy. I don't suggest you drink these like you do red bull or soda (because it can cause liver problems)

fbmandy55

You have GOT to cut out the red bull. You can't expect to eat a healthy meal and lose weight when you are drinking 3-5 of those daily. They really don't do anything but cause harm in the long run anyways. A cup of coffee and healthy meals would make you feel much better.

stilettofury

Okay, okay, I promise I will do something about the Red Bull...Jeez
I do drink water, I just don't log it. I imagine I probably go through a case of water every week, not including refilling my bottle when I'm at work.
Thanks so much for all of your help I've got some grocery shopping to do when I get off today!

LordBezoar

Seriously, those red bulls WILL kill you, chica. There are a lot of things you can do to eliminate soda and energy drinks--and trust me, you will feel much better. I was a lot like you a couple of years back and since I have kicked the habit, I have never felt better. Things that helped me ditch soda and caffeine: Green Tea (try lots of different types to find a few that you like), Peppermint Essential Oil (most brands you can use this aromatically or topically, but if you can find a brand that can be used internally as well that is best. If you are interested in this send me a message and I can go into more detail.), eat nutrient-rich whole foods, and, most importantly, GET ENOUGH SLEEP. Everything else does absolutely nothing if you don't get proper rest. I'm not going to tell you to get a solid 8 hours, because everyone is different. I know people that can function perfectly well on six and others who need nine. Listen to your body and do whatever you need to do to make sure that you are getting enough sleep.

knowwhentoshutup

Definitely consider recalculating your BMR and TDEE, or talking with your doctor. 1200 is really low, and while it does work for a short time, it will not help you long term. Here is a handy resource: http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

Also, what are you putting on your salad? Add things like cottage cheese, green beans (the fiber will help you feel more satisfied), lean meats, hard boiled eggs, beans, etc. It doesn't have to be boring lettuce and dressing.

Lately, I have been making a Chicken BLT salad - which has great flavor and is really satisfying. For the dressing I take reduced fat mayo (1 TBS), add some vinegar and chopped tomato and cucumber, with salt/pepper to taste. It makes a great tangy dressing, for little calories. Even with 4 ounces of chicken, and two slices of center cut bacon, a HUGE serving is under 300 calories for an entire meal.

I have also enjoyed a 'Big Easy' Salad (which is basically the makings of a muffaletta sandwich, served on lettuce without the bread). It is four slices of genoa salami, one slice of provolone cheese (both chopped), with a few spoonfuls of Olive Salad (a mixture of chopped olives, a tsp of olive oil and garlic - which is easy to make at home) as the dressing. It is really rich, but only comes in with around 216 calories, when served on a cup or two of chopped romaine.

Also - my husband has started liking the energy drinks with little or no sugar, like the crystal light energy drinks, or the MIO energy. Good luck....

misticache

You are not eating 1200 calories a day you are drinking them that's why you are starving all the time chickie! You can add me as a friend I'm also on 1200 a day and I eat most of it. I don't eat back my exercise calories back everyday so maybe that's why I'm stuck but I never feel hungry and I'm learning to eat healthy and practical which is what is most important.

dbsykes

Hi, I'm no expert but by looking at your food diary it seems to me you need more protein.
You waste a lot of you calorie allowance on the Red Bull, might I suggest you try the 5-hour energy shots? That's what I use when I was running on Empty. I will give you the info on them since I have one right here (I got it out when I saw your post)
4 calories, no crash later, sugar free
Niacin 30 mg 150% of daily value- niacin helps lower cholesterol. (my doctor has me on 500 mg)
B6 40 mg
Folic Acid 400 mcg
B12 500 mcg

Good luck!