difficulties in eating 1200 calories a day

i have no appetite either. i try to get smoothies in as much as i can to bump my calories up. or ill have a few crackers with peanut butter. try using regular dressings instead of their "light" counterpart. another trick i always do if im making tacos,add a little avacado if you like it. good fats are needed in our diets.

So you are netting 500 calories a day?? Stop exercising you need rest days anyway, overtraining can put the body into a state of stress and suppress the appetite. If that does not work see a doctor.

It's not just overall calories: you cannot eat all the protein, essential fats, carbs, vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants you need for health, repair and refuelling if eating so low. You need nine servings of fruit and veg, three servings of dairy, oily fish or other protein at every meal, other healthy fats (nuts, seeds, cocoa, avocado, olives, block creamed coconut) at every meal, plenty of fibre and mineral rich foods (nuts, seeds, beans, lentils). If you don't have chicken at lunch you often are barely eating any protein until the evening then choosing shrimp which is lower in protein than most meat and fish, or beans which are low in protein, a pasta meal that doesn't contain any protein either.

I have about 200-300 left over lately since I started back and measuring and working out. I am just not hungry so it is what it is..I can't force myself...I lost 1.5 since re-starting just this wednesday..time will tell if not eating all the calories will hurt me.

Add a protein shake?
I used to eat protein shakes for breakfast once in awhile, but found eating them at night helps add the calories I missed during the day. I also have an addiction to late night ice cream.
I recently discovered that making a protein shake at night both helps add to my daily calories and helps curb my ice cream cravings. And as a bonus, they have lots of other vitamins, nutrients and muscle building benefits.
I make it with ice, 1/4 cup low fat milk and 1 scoop chocolate powder.
Very good.

Also, yes. If you are eating less than 1200 and also working out to burn nearly half of that, then your body is not getting the nutrition it requires. That is not healthy.

If you find it difficult, another thing to try initially is to increase the portions of everything you are eating.

But you do need to eat. Eating is good.

I use shakes to help me reach my goal, as well stay under, I work a split shift and sometimes I have a battle both ways!! Lots of great ideas and support!! thanks for the post!

OP, please don't take offense, but I see posts like this periodically and I seriously don't get it. Can you help me understand how someone gets 40 lbs overweight without knowing how to eat more? Personally, I'm an expert in eating too much. My problem is learning to eat less.

Again, I'm not trying to be mean, even though I know it may come across that way. I really just have a hard time wrapping my head around the concept here.

I find that most days aerobic activity suppresses my appetite. I'd recommend trying to eat more calorie-rich foods. not necessarily unhealthy ones, but maybe try some olive oil in foods, avocados, etc.


ETA: And nuts! Love nuts. Healthy, full of good fats, and calories

OP, please don't take offense, but I see posts like this periodically and I seriously don't get it. Can you help me understand how someone gets 40 lbs overweight without knowing how to eat more? Personally, I'm an expert in eating too much. My problem is learning to eat less.

Again, I'm not trying to be mean, even though I know it may come across that way. I really just have a hard time wrapping my head around the concept here.

i feel the same, i see soo many posts like this and it makes me wonder well if that person has such a hard time eating how'd they gain weight in the first place? I do not have a hard time eating lol hence why im 65lbs over weight. I food :laugh:

OP, please don't take offense, but I see posts like this periodically and I seriously don't get it. Can you help me understand how someone gets 40 lbs overweight without knowing how to eat more? Personally, I'm an expert in eating too much. My problem is learning to eat less.

Again, I'm not trying to be mean, even though I know it may come across that way. I really just have a hard time wrapping my head around the concept here.

This.

Because, OP, if you have a trick, I'd like to know it. I'd give a limb for that problem.


You've received great advice though. Healthy fats. Protein.

I dont understand why it is hard to get 1200 calories. And yes it is unhealthy to go under 1200 cals a day. Quit eating light versions of anything. Drink a glass of milk or eat beef instead of chicken. Peanut butter, nuts and other proteins are also a good choice. You should also probably take a multi vitamin and cut down on caffiene because it suppresses your appetite.

I am finding it terribly difficult to eat 1200 calories a day because I have zero appetite. I don't want to force myself to eat to hit the calorie goal... Am I putting myself at risk but not hitting the 1200 mark? I also exercise for 60 minutes a day everyday, which gives me nearly half my calories back.

Typical meals eaten (eating less then or suggested servings)

Breakfast:
3/4c Greek yogurt, 1c of cereal, 1/4 cup of pomegranates

Lunch:
spinach salad with grape tomatoes, cucumber, mushrooms, snap peas, etc. sometimes add chicken, light dressing

Dinner:
shrimp and rice. refried bean soft tacos w/2%cheese and light sour cream. pasta with olive oil or butter and veggies

Any suggestions?
Thanks!!!
Vicki

I'm not sure what these 1200 calorie threads are really about.

How the heck did you get overweight if you have issues eating 1200 calories a day?!

For simple swaps, try laying off the "light" stuff. If it's dairy, stripping out the fats also takes out a lot of the enzymes.

As for going from overweight to unable to eat 1200, I have the same problem. I didn't do the transition week so I never really logged what used to be normal. I just dove straight in and spent three weeks trying to build up to my minimum calories. That being said, I know I went over today due to a random craving for Chinese food.

And if you're really having problems with it, make sure you're getting your essential nutrients then go find something calorie-dense to eat. Have a protein bar or something.

My difficulty is in keep it DOWN to 1200 a day while still getting in all the nutrition I need. I still can't get in enough calcium, which I need at my age to prevent bone loss. I've finally figured out how to get enough iron without supplementing with pills. I love Grape Nuts, so I've switched from Smart Ones breakfast quesadillas (LOVE those things!) to Grape Nuts and fat free milk. To kick start after a plateau, I use a meal replacement bar high in iron. Snacks are 1/8 c nuts and a fruit, usually raisins and an orange.

Most times, if I eat breakfast and lunch, and have 2 fruits, I end up with 300 calories left for dinner unless I spend an hour in the gym after work. The Catch 22 of it is, if I work out at the gym, I aggravate my bad hip and I'm in pain the next two days and have trouble walking. This hip replacement isn't coming soon enough!

peanutbutter and bannana smoothie: 1 tbls of peanut butter, 1 banana and about half a cup of milk or soy etc
And I think you probebly need more than 1200 a day especially if you are working out,