Full even below 1200 calories

I'm feeling full before I reach my 1200 calorie goal. Iv not been eating right for years and had days of eating nothing then binging. Now I'm trying to train myself to 3 meals a day. Especially breakfast. But I'm still feeling full before I eat my evening meal. I know this sounds daft. But why is this?
No harsh comments I'm new to this and still learning!
Thanks
Em
«13

Replies

  • HotMummyMission
    HotMummyMission Posts: 1,723 Member
    Just warning you now your gonna get a lot of people ranting at you for this but I understand what you mean I was eating around 400 cals in food an 2000 in sweets crips ECt so when eating proper food it's hard to make 1200 ... I make sure I have a few glasses of milk 1 glass is 100 cals I also have a few slices of cheese to to make up my cals x
  • HotMummyMission
    HotMummyMission Posts: 1,723 Member
    Just warning you now your gonna get a lot of people ranting at you for this but I understand what you mean I was eating around 400 cals in food an 2000 in sweets crips ECt so when eating proper food it's hard to make 1200 ... I make sure I have a few glasses of milk 1 glass is 100 cals I also have a few slices of cheese to to make up my cals x I get protein shakes for breakfast sometimes or the slim fast ones because I don't eat it but I'm learning to x
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    yesterday you ate 500 calories....

    i have absoultely no idea how you werent hungry enough to gnaw off your own arm after just a banana and cup of tea for breakfast....
  • HotMummyMission
    HotMummyMission Posts: 1,723 Member
    yesterday you ate 500 calories....

    i have absoultely no idea how you werent hungry enough to gnaw off your own arm after just a banana and cup of tea for breakfast....

    I was the same it's all about your metabolism isant it now I eat loads I'm hungry all the time but when I didn't eat hardly anything it was making me sick to force myself to eat but I did it u have to brake past it or your never gonna lose weight x
  • emmajane2211
    emmajane2211 Posts: 37 Member
    That's what I'm like I feel sick of I eat when I feel full and im under the impression that if your full you shouldn't eat anymore! . What shall I do just stick at it?
  • DemoraFairy
    DemoraFairy Posts: 1,806 Member
    Maybe try eating small, high-calorie foods like nuts. I don't know what times you're having food, but you could try having lunch earlier if it's close to when you have dinner, or have dinner later.

    I was also reading the other day that concentrating doesn't burn calories but makes you really hungry. Try doing Sudukos all day :P
  • sadyel
    sadyel Posts: 250
    things like nuts, peanut butter etc. can top up your calories with out eating loads of it to be too full
  • LittleMissDover
    LittleMissDover Posts: 820 Member
    Forget all the weight watchers and low fat products and eat full fat versions and you'll hit your calorie goal no problem most days without eating more.

    A tablespoon of peanut butter is 90 cals, have that with your banana. Use full fat milk in your drinks. Drink fruit juice. There are lots of ways to boost calories without eating lots more bulk.
  • SenseiCole
    SenseiCole Posts: 429 Member
    I didn't eat breakfast or lunch, then a pkt of cookies and then dinner, and felt like crap

    NOTE TO SELF: When I eat like crap, I feel like crap

    I changed my eating habits

    I now have breakfast,lunch and dinnner with snacks

    I start off with a banana for breakfast and moved on for there

    take it slow

    and try some high cal healthly foods, nuts advo etc
  • SGSmallman
    SGSmallman Posts: 193 Member
    Forget all the weight watchers and low fat products and eat full fat versions and you'll hit your calorie goal no problem most days without eating more.

    A tablespoon of peanut butter is 90 cals, have that with your banana. Use full fat milk in your drinks. Drink fruit juice. There are lots of ways to boost calories without eating lots more bulk.

    Low fat foods are full of crap and more likely make you gain weight, make good choices but eat what you want if you stay within your calorie intake.

    As a fyi i eat 2200 calories a day (ok i am a man, taller, heavier etc) but i use my TDEE - a 20% deficit and im losing 2ish lbs of fat a week and the inches are flying off. I pretty much eat what i want within reason healthy choices lots of protein and i cut out the fizzy drinks.

    It's amazing what a bit of hard work and dedication will do. Also make sure you track everything that 1 biscuit, bag of crisps those handful of nuts everything adds up
  • squatsandlipgloss
    squatsandlipgloss Posts: 595 Member
    Shoot me for asking this question but, how did you get to be overweight if you're full below 1,200 calories?
  • HotMummyMission
    HotMummyMission Posts: 1,723 Member
    That's what I'm like I feel sick of I eat when I feel full and im under the impression that if your full you shouldn't eat anymore! . What shall I do just stick at it?

    That's all I did just keep eating to full your cals an macros and you will get there x
  • surreygirl23
    surreygirl23 Posts: 85 Member
    This is a big problem for me too. I've just plugged in what I intend to eat today and it's come up at 715 calls! I know this isn't nearly enough, so I'm going to have a full fat latte in a minute, add a slice of bacon to my 2-egg omelette for lunch, and a handful of walnuts and a 5ml spoon of olive oil to my grilled salmon and salad tonight. That's put me up to 1000 cals - healthily.

    I'll also have a small bowl of natural greek yoghurt with a handful of pumpkin seeds and 5ml of maple syrup as a snack mid afternoon and a small banana mid evening - et voila! 1200 cals!

    Never eat a cookie to get extra calories, there are so many more healthy options. Even a few cubes of cheese and olives makes a fab snack that's good for you and will clock up around 270 cals for 100g.
  • emmajane2211
    emmajane2211 Posts: 37 Member
    Shoot me for asking this question but, how did you get to be overweight if you're full below 1,200 calories?

    I used to binge eat and then have days of doing not eating. No exercise. And I'd eat the wrong stuff too.
  • squatsandlipgloss
    squatsandlipgloss Posts: 595 Member
    Shoot me for asking this question but, how did you get to be overweight if you're full below 1,200 calories?

    I used to binge eat and then have days of doing not eating. No exercise. And I'd eat the wrong stuff too.

    Would it be a possibility to add some higher calorie foods into your diet to balance it out? I am supposed to eat 1,800 calories but I can't eat 1,800 calories worth of nutrient dense foods, so I just add some less healthy things that are a bit higher in calories, or even healthier, high calorie options like nuts, avocado, eggs.

    Or: since I also have a hard time eating breakfast, I now make shakes/smoothies. They're easily 400 calories and they're easy to just down in the morning :)
  • hammomh
    hammomh Posts: 43 Member
    I am the same, I don't try to meet my 1200 calorie goal which MFP has generated for me. From what I log I eat around 600-800 a day, occasionally go up to around 1000 on weekends but that is all.

    I will eat only when I am hungry, I don't pay attention to how many calories are in the food, I eat healthy foods which I enjoy.

    I say if your not hungry, don't force yourself to eat just to meet a certain number. If you are hungry, then eat. If you want to eat 1200 a day then eat higher calorie foods if that is what you are wanting to do, but just see how you feel. No point forcing yourself to eat a certain way if doesn't make you happy. Could always give it a go, and your appetite might increase :)
  • Blinx99
    Blinx99 Posts: 48 Member
    if you are finding that you are full and your body is not missing out on the essential vitamins etc then that is excellent, great work for getting your body trained up properly

    Wish I was there!

    BUT.... if you are working out regularly you need to make sure you have the right balance diet to ensure your body doesnt suffer

    WELL DONE :)
  • LittleMissDover
    LittleMissDover Posts: 820 Member
    No point forcing yourself to eat a certain way if doesn't make you happy.

    What if it makes you healthy?

    I don't 'want' to eat healthy foods, I want to eat junk and fatty stuff, that makes me happy, it will also kill me the same way your 600 calorie a day diet could do for you.
  • You may find that your diet is high in protien which makes you feel fuller than if you ate a high carb diet. I find that eating more protien makes me feel full also.
  • claire671
    claire671 Posts: 93 Member
    Steer clear of the weight watchers stuff. In order for it to be low calorie they put artificial stuff in it, that would help up your calories. How about banana on granary toast for breakfast, even a Heinz soup for lunch (homemade would be ideal), then chicken or fish with sweet potato and veggies for dinner?

    I have a little Salter scale that I weigh out my portions and it surprises me how little a serving is, if I were you I'd have an extra half serving of pasta or something to help add in calories. Nuts are a great suggestion for snacks.

    From what I've learned from this site, long term eating under 1000 calories will end up slowing your metabolism down and I'm sure that's the last thing you want to do.

    Good luck!
  • ladyraven68
    ladyraven68 Posts: 2,003 Member
    I am the same, I don't try to meet my 1200 calorie goal which MFP has generated for me. From what I log I eat around 600-800 a day, occasionally go up to around 1000 on weekends but that is all.

    I will eat only when I am hungry, I don't pay attention to how many calories are in the food, I eat healthy foods which I enjoy.

    I say if your not hungry, don't force yourself to eat just to meet a certain number. If you are hungry, then eat. If you want to eat 1200 a day then eat higher calorie foods if that is what you are wanting to do, but just see how you feel. No point forcing yourself to eat a certain way if doesn't make you happy. Could always give it a go, and your appetite might increase :)

    You also need a certain amount of daily nutrients, which I doubt you are getting from just 600-800 a day.
  • GaloisGirl
    GaloisGirl Posts: 26 Member
    Think not just calories, but nutrients. Read up a bit about what the body needs fats and proteins and other stuff for. Sure you can drink sweet soda and get loads of calories but I don't think that's the point.

    Below are my suggestions (but I'm no dietitian):

    Have veggies for the vitamins and minerals, with an olive oil dressing for the healthy fats.

    Have fruit! :)

    Have dairy that contains fat (without fat, one cannot absorb vitamins A and D).

    Nuts are super rich in nutrients.

    I love making nutritious shakes in my blender, for instance banana + peanut butter + some sweetened yoghourt. Some people put protein powder in theirs.

    I also love to use up my calories on wine, but I'd focus on the nutrients first. ;)
  • emmajane2211
    emmajane2211 Posts: 37 Member
    Steer clear of the weight watchers stuff. In order for it to be low calorie they put artificial stuff in it, that would help up your calories. How about banana on granary toast for breakfast, even a Heinz soup for lunch (homemade would be ideal), then chicken or fish with sweet potato and veggies for dinner?

    I have a little Salter scale that I weigh out my portions and it surprises me how little a serving is, if I were you I'd have an extra half serving of pasta or something to help add in calories. Nuts are a great suggestion for snacks.

    From what I've learned from this site, long term eating under 1000 calories will end up slowing your metabolism down and I'm sure that's the last thing you want to do.

    Good luck!



    I do normally eat properly. This week Iv had stupid days at work so the weightwatchers has been more convenient for me. Id like to stress I don't do it all the time.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    That's what I'm like I feel sick of I eat when I feel full and im under the impression that if your full you shouldn't eat anymore! . What shall I do just stick at it?
    Whether or not your feel full is not a reliable indication of whether you should eat more or not. You don't feel hungry because your hormonal responses are messed up from eating so little for so long. Your body is no longer sending your brain hunger signals. On the flip side, there are lots of obese people who eat way more than they should, and yet still feel ravenous all the time. Read up on the long term effects of not eating enough, and then instead of "listening to your body", let your brain start making the decisions. Most people who struggle with their weight over the long term cannot rely on their bodies to tell them when to start or stop eating.

    A lot of people have the problem of feeling full on low calories, but the good news is that if you can consistently eat more, you should find that your appetite returns. Further good news is that you don't have to stuff yourself with a large volume of food to meet your calorie goal. Aim for foods that are calorie dense, in particular things that are higher in fat. Fat is not bad for you. Some examples are cheese, eggs, dark chocolate, nuts, nut butters, seeds, and avocados. Switch to full fat products instead of the reduced fat or "lite" versions. Stop eating things like Weight Watchers foods. You're trying to eat more calories, so it's illogical to eat foods that are designed to be lower in calories. Spread a little butter on your seeded bun. Have a salad, and add some dressing made with olive oil. Add a little oil to your cooking. You'll soon find the calories add up. You can also drink your calories in the form of milk, nut milk, smoothies and protein shakes.

    I know a lot of people struggle with this, but looking at your diary, it's really not normal to feel full on such little food. It's not like you're eating mountains of vegetables to fill you up, you're actually eating a small volume of food too. Perhaps this is more psychological than anything else. You said you got overweight by eating the "wrong things". Try to stop looking at foods as "good" or "bad". Food isn't the enemy. If you widen your perception of what foods are acceptable, then you'll also have a lot more options for upping your calories. If you continue to struggle with this, it might be worth considering some professional counselling, or talking to your doctor. You are already at risk for various health problems eating this way, not to mention further damage to your metabolism. Don't let this spiral into something more serious.
  • Bloomsday
    Bloomsday Posts: 66 Member
    That's what I'm like I feel sick of I eat when I feel full and im under the impression that if your full you shouldn't eat anymore! . What shall I do just stick at it?

    If you're new to this, as you say, I bet it will all even out shortly. Participating in this online community, where getting to a specific number of calories, can make you feel like you're doing it all wrong or all right depending where you net out at the end of the day. I'd say listen to you body and I'm sure as time goes on things will change.

    A lot of people on here write that when they first start they are full at a low number of calories. Maybe it's just because they get "locked into" a lower-than-usual number ... but, this isn't so odd when you first start.

    Having said that, a bazillion people not in your body are going to tell you you're doing it all wrong and question your experience of you. They're well-meaning. Annoying, but well-meaning. :) Do what works for you, and re-evaluate after a week or so. It's all a journey.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    I am the same, I don't try to meet my 1200 calorie goal which MFP has generated for me. From what I log I eat around 600-800 a day, occasionally go up to around 1000 on weekends but that is all.

    I will eat only when I am hungry, I don't pay attention to how many calories are in the food, I eat healthy foods which I enjoy.

    I say if your not hungry, don't force yourself to eat just to meet a certain number. If you are hungry, then eat. If you want to eat 1200 a day then eat higher calorie foods if that is what you are wanting to do, but just see how you feel. No point forcing yourself to eat a certain way if doesn't make you happy. Could always give it a go, and your appetite might increase :)

    This is really bad advice.
  • FATJAKE5
    FATJAKE5 Posts: 162
    Short answer: you eat processed junk food.
    1. No water
    2. No Lean meat (Home Cooked)
    3. No Fresh Veggies (Raw, Steamed or Boiled)

    You are not going to fix this over night, so be patient.
    I start out my day with 1/2 cup+ a pinch of "Quaker Oats 100% Natural Whole Grain Old Fashioned Oatmeal". Add 1 cup water for 2 minutes in the microwave, Add 1/2 cup fresh blueberries or diced apple or sliced banana mashed down into the oatmeal. Microwave 1 additional minute then let it sit a few minutes. thickens it up so it is chewy. For the sweet tooth occasionally add a spoonful of Equal classic. Add 28 grams of almonds for a total of 351 calories. You havent even had a drink yet.

    Use the "search" feature for "35 Quick Low-Calorie Lunches", they will be high for you. They all sound delicious to me. This weekend we are going to get the stuff to make one of them for a week, then another and another. It will take over 8 months to try them all, which should get us to our goals.

    You can do this! There are some really intelligent people on MFP who have made an art and science out of fitness. When you read threads which apply to you, you will see the same folks on them. time after time. I believe they do truly enjoy helping others and will help you.

    Stay the Course
  • pcastagner
    pcastagner Posts: 1,606 Member
    Bacteria outnumber human cells in and around your body by a factor of 10 to 1. How you process food is partially "you" and partially a cast of characters populating your gut. When a stool sample from a healthy and fit person is compared to the stool sample from and obese person with a junk food diet, there are very significant differences, so much so that it is starting to look like a chicken and egg kind of question.

    I would do my best to simply eat according to the numbers and as clean as possible, but not too far past the point of discomfort. Also try to incorporate fermented foods, for instance kimchee, unpasteurized sauerkraut, yogurt, salami, natto, etc... If you eat beans or brown rice, give them a very long soak with changes of water before cooking so that they are more accessible to your gut flora.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    No point forcing yourself to eat a certain way if doesn't make you happy.

    What if it makes you healthy?

    I don't 'want' to eat healthy foods, I want to eat junk and fatty stuff, that makes me happy, it will also kill me the same way your 600 calorie a day diet could do for you.

    this!
  • hammomh
    hammomh Posts: 43 Member
    No point forcing yourself to eat a certain way if doesn't make you happy.

    What if it makes you healthy?

    I don't 'want' to eat healthy foods, I want to eat junk and fatty stuff, that makes me happy, it will also kill me the same way your 600 calorie a day diet could do for you.


    Well everyone is different with their relationship with food, fatty things make you happy so you have to work harder to eat healthy. I am just lucky that I enjoy healthy foods and not much of a fatty foods person.

    I am not on a 600 calorie a day diet, I just said I ate 600-800 a day usually and sometimes 1000 usually on weekends. I am not on a "diet" this is just how I eat, and have done for quite a few years.

    OP- I am not advising you to eat lower, just sharing my experience with not meeting the "1200" goal alot of people have,