Really hungry but running out of calories

pandagirlshonerd

I'm really hungry, I haven't had dinner yet but only have 301 calories left for today so I don't want to eat not and go over. I don't know what to do though, because I need to eat something. Is it really bad if I go over? I'll be eating with my family in about an hour.

karen8873

If your hungry you need to eat regardless if you go over. What are your calories set at? Maybe your daily goal is too low? Are you working out ? As this could make your appetite increase too.

Arkhos

Everyone goes over now and then, as long as this is not a regular occurrence. Choose healthy options of vegetables (that will fill you up with little calories) and lean proteins, drink plenty of water and you'll be fine! Don't stress

Ayunaskam

If you go over, it's not the end of the world. Remember that you'd have to eat 3500 EXTRA calories to gain 1 pound. Plus, your calorie amount for the day is a cut down from what you need to eat to maintain your weight. Going over a day or two happens to all of us. If your body is hungry, listen to it. As long as you aren't filling it with junk food.

ldrosophila

Caloric intake should really be a range. When a professional calculates your calories they will never say, or should not, you have to eat this one number. Usually they give you a range of about 200-300 calories. Look at the average of calories you are grossing over the week that is really what gives you the best picture. Dont worry if you go over today. You technically arent over you are in range! So figure you have about 500-600 calories for dinner and enjoy!

ChaseAlder

If it's that bad, I'd do about 20 minutes of vigorous calisthenics to earn a few more calories. Drink water with your meal and eat a large portion of the healthiest thing on your plate (veggies, etc.) If it's that bad, you might just have to go to bed early. I have gone to bed early to avoid late-night dessert impulses.

Crystallee79

try drinking water and eating veggies. AND don't beat yourself up if you go over every once in awhile. The important thing is that you're making healthy choices. Good luck, and enjoy!

pandagirlshonerd

I did a good workout last night, I haven't done anything today because I got up late and didn't have time.
And okay, thanks guys

4_Lisa

With out your diary being open it's hard to give advice. You may need to chose foods that fill you up longer. A workout will also get you extra calories to eat. But don't go hungry. Even going over, you need to eat if your body is sending these signals.

richUK

first things first, drink a glass of water..

then wait 20 minutes to see if you're still hungry..

chljlleal

I had chicken and stirfried veg for dinner last night (really nice) and that came in at around 300 calories!

blippers

Eat what you need to and do a bit of extra exercise later or tomorrow :-)

Wade406

I can relate. Before I switched to a whole foods, plant based diet that happened to me all the time.

Fruits and vegetables have lot's of fiber that takes up more stomach space when you eat. Instead of being calorie dense, plant foods are nutrient dense (in general, excepting things like processed oils and nuts).

Calorie dense foods tend to satisfy the palate, but don't provide as much satisfaction overall when compared to nutrient dense foods.

khall86790

When this happens to me I just go for a 20-30 minute walk, pop in a 20 minute workout dvd OR make sure I balance myself out for the week but eating foods less calorie dense over the next few days.

There are plenty of ways to earn yourself some more calories. Don't go hungry!

cwolfman13

If you go over, it's not the end of the world. Remember that you'd have to eat 3500 EXTRA calories to gain 1 pound. Plus, your calorie amount for the day is a cut down from what you need to eat to maintain your weight. Going over a day or two happens to all of us. If your body is hungry, listen to it. As long as you aren't filling it with junk food.

Just to clarify, that's 3,500 calories over you maintenance level of calories. MFP's calorie goals are not maintenance, they are deficit...

cwolfman13

I'm really hungry, I haven't had dinner yet but only have 301 calories left for today so I don't want to eat not and go over. I don't know what to do though, because I need to eat something. Is it really bad if I go over? I'll be eating with my family in about an hour.

Do you eat back exercise calories. If you are using the MFP method, and I assume you are, you're supposed to eat back exercise calories. I'd suggest eating back 80% of your exercise calories. MFP's calorie goal already has a substantial weight loss calorie deficit baked in. One of the most common things I see around here is a lack of understanding that MFP gives you a baked in deficit and MFP expects you to eat back your exercise as that activity is extra curricular.

pandagirlshonerd

Wow okay, thanks for all that, it was actually quite interesting! Anyone know anything further on this dense vs plants stuff, or at least where I can look it up?

jen81uk

I did a good workout last night, I haven't done anything today because I got up late and didn't have time.
And okay, thanks guys

I always feel hungrier the day after a good workout! If you are hungry, eat! I'm having this same dilemma today as I missed breakfast, I have had a few snacks but am now saving myself for dinner!! x

EmmaKarney

It's not going to help you right now, but I always plan out a rough idea of my entire day's food in the morning that I alter as I go along to save myself from running out at dinner time.

mamadolce6499

Lettuce *not iceburg* will fill your tummy and an entire head of it is approx 60 calories. Not that you need to eat an entire head of lettuce lol but it should fill you up till dinner and you cant feel guilty about it, even if you go over on your calories.

Wade406

Wow okay, thanks for all that, it was actually quite interesting! Anyone know anything further on this dense vs plants stuff, or at least where I can look it up?

Check out this: http://www.forksoverknives.com/nutrition-faq/

The last question, concerning oils, talks a little about it. This is a good place to learn more about what I'm doing.

Six months ago, if you would have told me that "you won't be eating meat, cheese, or adding cooking oil to your foods", I would have told you that you're a lunatic. Now, I get how vegans say that can't stand the thought of meat. It's actually shocking to me that my viewpoint has done a 180 degree switch.

But having actually tried it gives me the freedom of speech that others who haven't tried it just don't have. The biggest changes are in the way I feel. That's after 8 weeks.

BL_Coleman

Vegatables, tea and water! Carrots, Celery, bean sprouts, things that arent' much at all if any. And water sometimes when you think your hungry your actually dehydrated.

Brunner26_2

How much are you eating per day, anyway?

Anthonydaman

If you go over today it won't kill you. make up for it tomorrow with some extra exercise

twinketta

Your profile says you are 5`4" and 132lbs (119lbs) so not sure what your weight is or how much you are eating...so can not really offer any help.

Other than to say what works for me is eating lots of protein during the day which fills me up and meets my MFP calorie goals?

meghan6867

If you can go and burn a few calories : do it.

Otherwise, go over your calories. Just don't over-do it... be sensible and stop when you're full. Personally, when I'm starving with minimal calories left I find if I go over slightly (I stress, slightly) I tend not to crazy on a bag of Cheetos later.

kjoy_

it's really not a big deal to go over a day or two a week. i do it all the time. if i'm still hungry after i've eaten i eat pickles wedges, baby carrots, a string cheese, apples, berries, cucumber slices with salt/pep. all those are very low calorie per serving and i promise they won't hurt you!

ThePersnicketyOtter

I've heard some people say that if you go over for the day, figure up your total goal for the week and try to still be under that. Honestly, if it's only either by a hundred or so calories over, or only one day out of the week, I don't worry about it too much.

But I haven't been at this for too long so I'm not sure I'm in the right to do that or not yet.

renitawalker9

Broccoli and other fibrous veggies (Zuchinni, Summer squash, mushrooms, onions, romaine lettuce, etc) are your best friend. You can eat quite a bit of them and some protein for dinner to add up to 300 calories. most of my meals are right around 300 calories, dinner being my lightest meal usually and lunch and dinner contain at least a cup of fibrous veg. In fact, more than 1 cup fibrous vegetables is sometimes too much. fibrous veggies will fill you up with less and keep you full longer because of the fiber.

ChrisAndBi

I felt really hungry all the time when I first started using MFP, some long evenings were awful trying not to be hungry. The mantra here, though, is that this is a lifetime lifestyle change. So we don't suffer a sentence of hardship for a few months, nor do we return to our old habits that drove us to do this to lose weight. I have found this a brilliant place to learn, at my own pace, what works for me using the MFP formula and the forum to guide me as to how to make it work.

I discovered a small thing that turned my endless hunger round. It was simply that I ate too little for breakfast, thats all. I found I could say no early in the day, and so I did, in the hope of saving my precious calories for my evening desperation. Well a bigger breakfast and a good lunch worked a treat, and like magic I don't feel so hungry later. It still gets tricky, sometimes, but I don't worry about going over my 'budget' now and then. Losing weight isn't a punishment. For me its the sane alternative to eating like an idiot as (I did).