I'm not getting enough calories in due to work & school - He

cstolba
cstolba Posts: 14
edited September 18 in Motivation and Support
The past few days I have been working and busy with school - I have hardlyeaten breakfast and little for lunch - by the end of the day I have only consumed about 200-400 calories. My daily calorie allowance is 1440.
For example - this is what I have eaten as of 8:53 CST:
Breakfast - nothing !
Lunch- 5 ounce grilled chicken breast and a fat free yogurt - total of 218 calories
Dinner - 2 cups spaghetti and 1/2 of meat sauce and 1 cup skim milk- total of 376 calories
Total for the day = 594

Any suggestions on how I can get my calories in and still keep things healthy since I have been on the run so much?? Thanks for the help !!

Replies

  • cstolba
    cstolba Posts: 14
    The past few days I have been working and busy with school - I have hardlyeaten breakfast and little for lunch - by the end of the day I have only consumed about 200-400 calories. My daily calorie allowance is 1440.
    For example - this is what I have eaten as of 8:53 CST:
    Breakfast - nothing !
    Lunch- 5 ounce grilled chicken breast and a fat free yogurt - total of 218 calories
    Dinner - 2 cups spaghetti and 1/2 of meat sauce and 1 cup skim milk- total of 376 calories
    Total for the day = 594

    Any suggestions on how I can get my calories in and still keep things healthy since I have been on the run so much?? Thanks for the help !!
  • Hi, I have that problem too. I eat breakfast in the car a lot and always make sure to throw in a banana since a medium banana has about 100 calories in it. Also, 1% milk has calories and protein.

    What has been most helpful for me is throwing snacks in my bag to munch on throughout the day to keep the calories up - string cheese is terrific, fairly low in calories, high in protein and really satiates you too. Also, mini bags of homemade trail mix or a natural granola bar (TLC brand are good, low in chemicals and sugars but high in protein and fiber), and then I keep an apple in my car for the drive home.

    I understand your frustration, it took me realizing that I needed to have ready to grab things with me because it is too hard to eat 800 calories for dinner.

    Hope this helps!
  • pam0206
    pam0206 Posts: 700 Member
    Ok, girl. You need some calorie dense foods. Drink your breakfast if nothing else: carnation instant breakfast/coffee/sugar free cocoa mix made with milk

    Try adding in:
    any type of nuts for snacking: almonds (my fav), cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, etc
    Peanut butter: take apple slices with you to class and dip them in 1-2 tbsp peanut butter during your break
    Add an avocado to your lunch or pack it with a salad/wrap: YUM

    Going to school is not easy, along with everything else!! You need to keep up your energy and eating like this day after day, you're not going to make it! GL. :flowerforyou:

    P.S. Add a salad with your chicken at lunch and eat full cal salad dressing. You can afford it!
  • proudmama0118
    proudmama0118 Posts: 433 Member
    Granola bars or nutrigrain bars would make a great on the go breakfast. I also love the Uncle Wally Smart portion banana muffins (80 cal) and the are individually wrapped. Also what about beef jerky? Those should all be easy enough to throw in your purse and have handy throughout the day.
  • dulceluva
    dulceluva Posts: 728 Member
    I can't agree more with being prepared the night before and having all of your snacks ready.

    I usually plan out my meal right before bed. I 'plan' (key word here) all my meals and my snacks and also try to leave room if I give into some temptation. I usually have the following snacks in my bag, all bran bar, fibre1 (fiber one for you Americans :wink: ) cereal in a ziploc bag, an apple (or some fruit), 10-15 baby carrots in a ziploc bag and 2 yogurts. If I know that I am running late in the morning, I try to prepare my oatmeal in the morning and put it in a container and eat it when I have time in the morning. For example, I can eat my oatmeal cold, so what I do is poor some yogurt on top of the oatmeal and eat away.

    I hope that helps.

    Not everyday can be planned though but trying is usually the toughest part. If you plan the night before, you already know the path you will head down the next day and I find that it helps me make better decisions with respect to temptation.
  • sculley
    sculley Posts: 2,012 Member
    There is a new curve peanut and chocolate granola bar 100 calories I love it for snacks.
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