1200 Calories?!

Ok so my Calories have always been automatically set at 1200. It was 1200 when I started over a year ago and 1200 now that I'm back. Any tips on good filling meals/snacks that won't take up all my calories??
Thanks!!!!

Replies

  • jynxxxed
    jynxxxed Posts: 1,010 Member
    Fish (tilapia, salmon, cod especially), chicken, string cheese, oatmeal, various fruit and veggies of pretty much all types, canned tuna, veggie burgers, protein shakes, etc.

    Tons of stuff out there! :)
  • MTBrob
    MTBrob Posts: 513 Member
    add 200 calories to that .. its the bare minimum especially if you exercise...

    However.. Healthy snacks..

    Turkey jerky... Eat the recommended serving size once a day

    natural peanut butter and an apple.

    scoop of whey and a small banana blended over water

    hrmmm various vegetables and humus


    Personally on a daily rotation I eat a protein bar and beef jerky.. But I have different fitness goals than you I am sure.

    GOogle healthy quick snacks..
  • 115perfection
    115perfection Posts: 109 Member
    Figure out your BMR and TDEE! And eat above BMR and below TDEE. If you eat any less than that your body will not keep the weight off.

    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/

    Go to the BMR calc, input the info, and eat just above what it tells you.

    ****KEEP IN MIND; on that calc it says "current weight" and "goal weight" - input your current weight for both!

    Sometimes it can get confusing so just google BMR calc, most are pretty accurate (imho)
  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
    some of my favorite snacks are:

    low fat string cheese
    cottage cheese
    dr kracker pumpkin seed flat bread
    yogurt (lactose free by yoplait)
    hard boiled egg
    peanut butter

    favorite foods:
    asian veggie burger from morning star
    rice noodles
    hummus (this can also go under snacks)
    veggies
    fruit
    99% lean turkey
    chicken
    96% lean hamburger
  • lovemydogjake
    lovemydogjake Posts: 26 Member
    1200 is where I am as well - I agree, tuna with just relish for me every day at lunch. Lots of fruit, celery, grilled veggies (squash, zucchini, carrots, brussel sprouts and asparagus) every week prove to be filling. I eat PureProtein bars every once in a while - a few calories to them but low sugar, lots of protein and if I drink water while eating it fills me up.
  • Snacks : cucumber, carrots, peas, grapes, cherries, banana.

    Food: Soups, baked fish, shrimp, boiled veggies.
  • LOTS OF VEGGIES!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I know some pretty yummy recipes:

    Slim Down Pancakes:
    1/4 cup egg whites
    1 scoop of all natural protein powder (i use vanilla but you can use any flavor)
    1/2 banana, mashed
    1/4 cup blueberries
    1/2 tbsp flax seed

    mix all ingredients together (add blueberries last) cook in a non-stick frying pan (if your pan is good enough you shouldn't need cooking spray) and cook like a pancake, if it doesnt stay together just scramble it lol.

    I eat this everymorning (changing the ingredients like this morning i put cut up strawberries in it-and if you find its not sweet enough add some stevia:) breakfast is always the meal i struggle most with
  • ColletteNicole
    ColletteNicole Posts: 145 Member
    -smart pop popcorn (15 cals per cup)
    -Veggie Straws (about 38 for 130 cals) or Natural Cheetos (around the same serv. size & nutrition)
    -laughing cow cheese wedge (35 cals) and whole wheat crackers (find some that are around 10 cals each)
    -fresh berries and fat free cottage cheese or plain greek yogurt
    -sugar free jello pudding cups (60 cals) with fat free cool whip (15 cals per 2tbsp)
    -raw veggies with light ranch dressing

    for desserts:
    -fiber one brownies (90 cals)
    -Arctic Zero Ice Cream (about 37 cals per 1/2 cup, delicious & high protein!)
  • Anything fresh will be low calories. A cup of fruit will always be 100 calories or less. I'm having 1 cup yogurt, 1/2 cup strawberries and orange juice on the side and it only comes to 244 calories! That's super great! I try to keep breakfast around or under 300 calories as my breakfasts are important but can go way over calorie limit if I let it.

    Stay away from anything made in a factory and you'll do fine!
  • sandygaylegunn
    sandygaylegunn Posts: 87 Member
    You might want to go to blogs and look up Chelle's blog. She has recipes with photos of amazing things, like the zero calorie ****ake noodles. Also, you can google Hungry Girl and find great recipes there. Good luck.
  • Ok so my Calories have always been automatically set at 1200. It was 1200 when I started over a year ago and 1200 now that I'm back. Any tips on good filling meals/snacks that won't take up all my calories??
    Thanks!!!!
    I'd suggest starting by eating more than 1200 a day.
  • carlsoda
    carlsoda Posts: 3,425 Member
    Figure out your BMR and TDEE! And eat above BMR and below TDEE. If you eat any less than that your body will not keep the weight off.

    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/

    Go to the BMR calc, input the info, and eat just above what it tells you.

    ****KEEP IN MIND; on that calc it says "current weight" and "goal weight" - input your current weight for both!

    Sometimes it can get confusing so just google BMR calc, most are pretty accurate (imho)

    This maybe a dumb quesiton but what's TDEE? :smile:
  • cbelt82
    cbelt82 Posts: 62
    Figure out your BMR and TDEE! And eat above BMR and below TDEE. If you eat any less than that your body will not keep the weight off.

    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/

    Go to the BMR calc, input the info, and eat just above what it tells you.

    ****KEEP IN MIND; on that calc it says "current weight" and "goal weight" - input your current weight for both!

    Sometimes it can get confusing so just google BMR calc, most are pretty accurate (imho)

    i just did this and it says I should eat 1691 calories a day... why is that so much higher than MFP??
  • 115perfection
    115perfection Posts: 109 Member
    Figure out your BMR and TDEE! And eat above BMR and below TDEE. If you eat any less than that your body will not keep the weight off.

    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/

    Go to the BMR calc, input the info, and eat just above what it tells you.

    ****KEEP IN MIND; on that calc it says "current weight" and "goal weight" - input your current weight for both!

    Sometimes it can get confusing so just google BMR calc, most are pretty accurate (imho)

    i just did this and it says I should eat 1691 calories a day... why is that so much higher than MFP??

    I appologize for the confusion but that BMR calc sucks lol! Try this one instead: http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/
  • I eat around 1200 calories most days, feel free to look at my diary. Although I'm not really a snacker so its mainly meals!
  • laurenjessica315
    laurenjessica315 Posts: 23 Member
    Spaghetti squash! SOOOO filling and delish and low cal!
    cottage cheese, greek yogurt, hummus and veggies, skinnypop......i love healthy snacks.
    For a sweet tooth - baked bananas are amazing. Cut a banana in half lengthwise, drizzle with a little honey or agave and sprinkle with cinnamon.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    Figure out your BMR and TDEE! And eat above BMR and below TDEE. If you eat any less than that your body will not keep the weight off.

    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/

    Go to the BMR calc, input the info, and eat just above what it tells you.

    ****KEEP IN MIND; on that calc it says "current weight" and "goal weight" - input your current weight for both!

    Sometimes it can get confusing so just google BMR calc, most are pretty accurate (imho)

    i just did this and it says I should eat 1691 calories a day... why is that so much higher than MFP??

    Probably because most websites factor a smaller deficit. At your weight, you should be around 1 lb per week. Change your goal and you will see a difference.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Did you set your weight loss goal to 2 pounds a week? Looks like you are only trying to lose 15 pounds, try setting MFP goal to 1/2 a pound a week. 2 pounds a week is not reasonable for those with not a lot of weight to lose.
  • ladyraven68
    ladyraven68 Posts: 2,003 Member
    Figure out your BMR and TDEE! And eat above BMR and below TDEE. If you eat any less than that your body will not keep the weight off.

    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/

    Go to the BMR calc, input the info, and eat just above what it tells you.

    ****KEEP IN MIND; on that calc it says "current weight" and "goal weight" - input your current weight for both!

    Sometimes it can get confusing so just google BMR calc, most are pretty accurate (imho)

    no, that gives you your current TDEE.(Maintenance calories).

    You do not eat that, you need to deduct a defict from that if you have put in your current weight as your goal weight.
    deduct 20%, or 500 cals, or whatever deficit you chose.

    Also remember that this TDEE is TOTAL Expenditure, so includes exercise, therefore you don't eat back your workout calories.
  • TheRealParisLove
    TheRealParisLove Posts: 1,907 Member
    LOTS OF VEGGIES!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I know some pretty yummy recipes:

    Slim Down Pancakes:
    1/4 cup egg whites
    1 scoop of all natural protein powder (i use vanilla but you can use any flavor)
    1/2 banana, mashed
    1/4 cup blueberries
    1/2 tbsp flax seed

    mix all ingredients together (add blueberries last) cook in a non-stick frying pan (if your pan is good enough you shouldn't need cooking spray) and cook like a pancake, if it doesnt stay together just scramble it lol.

    I eat this everymorning (changing the ingredients like this morning i put cut up strawberries in it-and if you find its not sweet enough add some stevia:) breakfast is always the meal i struggle most with

    It should be noted that cooking whey protein powder denatures it's protein content. To avoid this, cook on low temperatures and avoid deep frying. For these pancakes, adding in soy flour may be a better alternative to the whey protein.
  • cbelt82
    cbelt82 Posts: 62
    Did you set your weight loss goal to 2 pounds a week? Looks like you are only trying to lose 15 pounds, try setting MFP goal to 1/2 a pound a week. 2 pounds a week is not reasonable for those with not a lot of weight to lose.

    This may sound foolish of me but I'd really like to lose at least 1 pound a week. Slow weight loss un motivates me : (
  • hmm33502
    hmm33502 Posts: 201 Member
    Fish!!! It is how I stay around 1000 cals per day....even with 4 days per week of exercising. This is at the suggestion of my doctor....I still have to get over 100g protein in so fish is the best way to get in protein, save some cals, and still feel satisfied!

    Feel free to friend me an look at my diary.

    Heather
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Did you set your weight loss goal to 2 pounds a week? Looks like you are only trying to lose 15 pounds, try setting MFP goal to 1/2 a pound a week. 2 pounds a week is not reasonable for those with not a lot of weight to lose.

    This may sound foolish of me but I'd really like to lose at least 1 pound a week. Slow weight loss un motivates me : (

    Yes, but understand that it may be difficult to impossible to lose 1 pound a week as you get closer and closer to your goal. And how much more un-motivating is that, if you are working hard and feeling hungry and don't lose much of anything because you can't create the right calorie deficit.
  • thistimeismytime
    thistimeismytime Posts: 711 Member
    Did you set your weight loss goal to 2 pounds a week? Looks like you are only trying to lose 15 pounds, try setting MFP goal to 1/2 a pound a week. 2 pounds a week is not reasonable for those with not a lot of weight to lose.

    This may sound foolish of me but I'd really like to lose at least 1 pound a week. Slow weight loss un motivates me : (

    With such a small amount to lose, 1 lb a week is NOT slow weight loss, especially if most of that loss is from FAT. Even 0.5 lbs per weeks would be great. What's the rush??

    Remember that story about the tortoise and the hare?? The hare is flashy and impressive, fast and cocky, a clear favorite. But the tortoise is slow, steady, patient, and RELENTLESS!! Guess who wins.... :smokin:

    Check this out if you want to win the race....http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
  • cbelt82
    cbelt82 Posts: 62
    I guess theres no rush really. Just in this funky phase right now. About to turn 30... Although I'm not overweight this IS the biggest I've ever been... I'm just uncomfortable and want to quickly get out of this phase! hahaha
  • thistimeismytime
    thistimeismytime Posts: 711 Member
    I guess theres no rush really. Just in this funky phase right now. About to turn 30... Although I'm not overweight this IS the biggest I've ever been... I'm just uncomfortable and want to quickly get out of this phase! hahaha

    I understand that, but you've still got to respect how your body works. :flowerforyou:

    I'm 35--you're still a spring chicken--all you've got is time girl.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    Did you set your weight loss goal to 2 pounds a week? Looks like you are only trying to lose 15 pounds, try setting MFP goal to 1/2 a pound a week. 2 pounds a week is not reasonable for those with not a lot of weight to lose.

    This may sound foolish of me but I'd really like to lose at least 1 pound a week. Slow weight loss un motivates me : (

    Instead of concentrating on weight, start to concentrate on fat loss. At your size, it will be much easier to tone (aka cut fat) than have sufficient weight loss. Doing this method, I always suggest measuring inches, taking pictures and getting some bf calipers to measure your body. If you want a lean tight body, you need to cut body fat, not weight. Muscle is what makes you tight and lean. So eating 1200 calories, will only set you up for failure and your body will catabolize your lean body mass and you will maintain your body fat. If anything, eat 20% below your TDEE and do heavy weight training and keep cardio to a minimum (1-2 days).
  • cbelt82
    cbelt82 Posts: 62
    Did you set your weight loss goal to 2 pounds a week? Looks like you are only trying to lose 15 pounds, try setting MFP goal to 1/2 a pound a week. 2 pounds a week is not reasonable for those with not a lot of weight to lose.

    This may sound foolish of me but I'd really like to lose at least 1 pound a week. Slow weight loss un motivates me : (

    Instead of concentrating on weight, start to concentrate on fat loss. At your size, it will be much easier to tone (aka cut fat) than have sufficient weight loss. Doing this method, I always suggest measuring inches, taking pictures and getting some bf calipers to measure your body. If you want a lean tight body, you need to cut body fat, not weight. Muscle is what makes you tight and lean. So eating 1200 calories, will only set you up for failure and your body will catabolize your lean body mass and you will maintain your body fat. If anything, eat 20% below your TDEE and do heavy weight training and keep cardio to a minimum (1-2 days).

    Thanks! I'm gonna try my best... Can't seem to get myself in a work out routine... I just get lazy I guess... Thats HORRIBLE I know! Everyday I say I'm gonna do something and then I come home and I'm tired and I just relax...blah!
  • chubtofit
    chubtofit Posts: 67 Member
    I found that 1200 calories was just too low for me. It was hard to complete the diet profile since I sit behind a desk during the day but I'm very active as soon as I get home - both with looking after a disabled child and also running 5k 4 times week plus strength training and other cardio. When I checked out my BMR, it said I should be consuming at least 1499 cals per day and that if I'm exercising 6-7 times per week then I'm burning 2284 cals per day. At that point I went and did a manual adjustment to my diet profile on MFP and changed it. Otherwise I'm always over my cals for the day.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    I was exactly like you are when I joined last November. Not a lot of weight to lose, but hardly ever exercised. I read on here that you didn't have to exercise to lose weight, just restrict the proper amount of calories. Great, I thought (insert happy face here). Well, it didn't exactly work like that. Now I know that what I need is to get fat % down, not necessarily lose pounds, although that would be a plus. And the only way to do that is with combination of a healthy diet and exercise (insert sad face here). But I sucked it up. I worked on it, then I fell off the wagon a few times. But amazingly, this time back on the wagon, I feel completely different about exercise. It happened suddenly, just one day I woke up feeling like I can't wait to work out. Yeah, I am now one of *those* people.

    And, I work out in the morning because I know I won't do it later.