can't reach calories and keep sugar/protein in check

meltacrayon
meltacrayon Posts: 7 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to meet your needed calories and keep the protein and sugar where it needs to be? I'm not even breaking 1,000 a day because if I do I go over my allotted protein and sugar intake. Any suggestions for snacks etc to help? I do Visalus shakes 2x a day so I am getting my needed nutrition but just curious if anyone has any ideas! Thanks!

Replies

  • angleu
    angleu Posts: 140 Member
    The amount of recommended protein is super low don't worry about going over it.. Are you eating a lot of fruit or something? What about your shakes do they have sugar in them?
  • angleu
    angleu Posts: 140 Member
    Oh you and you shouldn't be ever eating that low.. ever! lol you could probably lose the same amount of weight healthier at 1400-1500 calories
  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    Don't sweat it. Lots of protein is a good thing, and unless those sugars are coming from lots of cupcakes instead of some fruit...no problem..
  • 04ward
    04ward Posts: 196 Member
    The VI shakes are low in sugar if you have 2 a day, that's only 2 grams. What are you mixing in them? What are you eating for your other meal?
  • holothuroidea
    holothuroidea Posts: 772 Member
    Don't worry at all about going over on protein!

    As far as the sugar goes, as long as it's coming from things like fruits and veggies it's no big deal. However, if you consume a lot of refined sugar (white sugar, syrup, candies, baked goods) then you might want to consider crowding out those foods with something else.

    But whatever you do, please eat more than 1000 calories! Your body needs more than that just for basic functioning. It's recommended to not go under 1200 calories per day.
  • kmk_natasha
    kmk_natasha Posts: 34
    I ignore the sugar, so long as I know I wasn't chowing down on sweets. A small amount of fruit (like a cup of grapes & a banana) puts me over every day.
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    sugar is a subcategory of carbs. Unless you have health reasons to keep sugar in check, just oversee the general carbs and you'll be fine.

    As for protein, most people should be eating about 1gm protein per lb of lean body mass. Try for at least 30% protein.

    You can adjust your macros in the "goals" tab under "my home."
  • Dulcemami4ever
    Dulcemami4ever Posts: 344 Member
    I don't even worry about sugars. I just watch my total carb intake. I don't really bother watching protein either.
  • iulia_maddie
    iulia_maddie Posts: 2,780 Member
    Drinking 2 Visalus shakes a day does not mean you are getting all the nutrition you need, no matter how much you would like to think so, being a Visalus promoter and all..
    Don't worry about going over protein. MFP sets the protein goal fairly low in my opinion.
  • determinedbutlazy
    determinedbutlazy Posts: 1,941 Member
    Protein is good, you can go over it.
    I don't even track sugar. Sugar is a carb, as long as your carb macro is fine, you're fine.
  • haymancm
    haymancm Posts: 280 Member
    I recently changed my settings to 30/30/40% for protein/carbs/fat. Then, I don't feel like I'm overdoing it. Eating more veggies will keep you from going over on the sugars. If I go over on my "fat," it's mostly from the good fats in avocados or almonds.
  • meltacrayon
    meltacrayon Posts: 7 Member
    The sugar is mostly just coming from my 8oz skim milk a day, 1 fruit and just regular foods, yogurt, protein bars etc. I thought the protein seemed crazy low! Even when I add my workouts in it still seems low! good to know, thanks!
  • meltacrayon
    meltacrayon Posts: 7 Member
    I don't ever hit my calories, carbs, fat or protein! it is just the sugar and protein.
  • meltacrayon
    meltacrayon Posts: 7 Member
    I realize the shakes alone don't give me all my nutrition. But the food added does plus my supplements my doc recommended
  • meltacrayon
    meltacrayon Posts: 7 Member
    I don't know if you're referring to me or not Dav but I'm not preying on anyone. I am 60 lbs over weight but also have 3 kids 3yr and under. I am needing to hit my calories for the energy to keep up but I think I over think it when given a set number to stay under. Not trying to hurt your feelings or anything but if you have a problem with my question, move on and don't post negative things and be dramatic. No one wrote anything promoting the shakes or saying anything about under eating. I was mainly seeing if anyone else had this problem or had snack ideas for my problem. The "if you don't have anything nice to say" saying fits here. I don't need your negativity, I was looking for support. Not people to put me down. I am trying my best and looking for advice.
  • Popsing
    Popsing Posts: 23 Member
    PLEASE ignore those numbers in red and PLEASE PLEASE eat at least 1200 calories every day. I always "go over" the protein and sugar amount, and never even come close to eating the amount of fat and carbs on the chart. I'm losing weight like crazy, eat mostly lean protein (nonfat Greek yogurt, chicken breast, sirloin steak and pork loin), eggs, veggies and fruit every day and am never hungry. Those numbers are recommended percentages from who knows where and can't be counted as gospel. As long as you're exercising, feeling good and eating at least 1200 calories per day, you should be fine. I know I'm only adding my voice to those of many others who agree with me, but it's vital you don't starve yourself or you will not lose weight at all. Good luck!
  • Liftnlove
    Liftnlove Posts: 235
    My advice is to stop wasting your money on shakes and eat real food instead. You're starving yourself for no good reason. If you want to sell the shakes, that's your business...everyone's gotta make a buck. That doesn't mean you should be using them for 2 meals a day. Eat real food...it's yummy.

    oh, and protein is good, so for SURE don't stop eating just because your protein is high!! O.o I get 130-160 gms of protein a day, and it hasn't hurt me one bit...
  • meltacrayon
    meltacrayon Posts: 7 Member
    I am not trying to starve myself and am not hungry at all. If I am suppose to ignore all these numbers than why bother with this app!
  • meltacrayon
    meltacrayon Posts: 7 Member
    Maybe you should actually research the shakes I eat and get your docs opinion on them before you judge them. Also, I am not trying to eat that number of calories. I started on this and have only done this app for like 4 days and was confused as to why I would go over my protein and such and not hit the right number of calories. I am by no means starving myself and my doctor approves my shakes also. They are good nutrition and work for me. I still eat 3-4 times a day on top of the shakes so I get my "real food" as you put it. I didn't ask anyone's opinion on my shakes. I asked for advice on healthy foods and snacks that would help me reach my caloric intake without my other sugars and proteins being off the chart. Obviously this app is crap if everyone is saying to just ignore the numbers. Also, 130g of protein is not recommended for everyone
  • Liftnlove
    Liftnlove Posts: 235
    I am not trying to starve myself and am not hungry at all. If I am suppose to ignore all these numbers than why bother with this app!

    You obviously do not want advice. And I don't want to research the latest pyramid-scheme shakes...I'm doing just fine eating real food. Just keep doing what you're doing... <shrugs shoulders> ... Good grief you are defensive about those shakes... Geez

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