Maintenance calories massive!

justle
justle Posts: 275 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all I've just returned to Mfp after a long break, I'm 27 weeks pregnant and so far have gained a lot of weight this pregnancy.
I hoping to start getting my eating habits in check and return to healthy eating for these last few months but now when I put in to maintain the calories it gives me are huge, 2280.

I know I've gained weight by eating the wrong things and I'm not looking to lose weight just control the amount I gain from here on in but I know I cannot eat that much food in a day!

I'm sure the calories Mfp is giving me is due to my heavier weight so what should I do? Put in my first weight recorded during this pregnancy?

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    If you have gained weight you must have been eating more than 2280 cals, so why dont you think you could eat that much now?
  • mekobaby
    mekobaby Posts: 11
    Ask your OB doc...not us!
  • dimsumkitty
    dimsumkitty Posts: 120 Member
    Weigh and log EVERYTHING you eat. You'll probably find out how you managed to eat more than that amount, and what to cut out to stick to it! (Desserts and snacks are the two biggest culprits for me!)
  • tryclyn
    tryclyn Posts: 2,414 Member
    Eat the 2280.
  • Missjulesdid
    Missjulesdid Posts: 1,444 Member
    If you have gained weight you must have been eating more than 2280 cals, so why dont you think you could eat that much now?

    Because she said she gained weight by eating the wrong foods.. It's TOO EASY to eat 2280 in the wrong foods.. It's much harder for most of us to meet that amount with healthier options.

    OP, Whole dairy products and nuts/seeds are a great way to add calories to your diet. Also forget about fat-free dressings and use a bit of olive oil/vinegar .. a hundred calories here and there adds up quickly!
  • SpecialSundae
    SpecialSundae Posts: 795 Member
    Honestly, 2280 for maintenance really isn't that massive. You can eat healthily at that (and at pretty much any calorie goal if you really want to). Get the correct proportions of fat and protein in your diet, eat plenty of vegetables and look after yourself.
  • cmeade20
    cmeade20 Posts: 1,238 Member
    It's not as hard as it sounds. Plenty of healthy calorie dense foods. Throw some olive oil on your chicken before you cook it. Have beans or rice. If your struggling that badly eat a few tablespoons of peanut butter.
  • Pinkylee77
    Pinkylee77 Posts: 432 Member
    Your pregnant you gain weight and should not diet. Eating healthy is the key not calories.
  • haroon_awan
    haroon_awan Posts: 1,208 Member
    Most long time users on here don't like MFP's calorie calculator or the macro (carbs, proteins and fats) split. There are other methods, to do it and much more effective, eg http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/952996-level-obstacles-lose-weight-target-fat-easy

    Try this video
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDANtU4LUkc&feature=youtu.be

    Really helped me!
  • justle
    justle Posts: 275 Member
    Ask your OB doc...not us!

    Sorry I'm in the uk we don't have ob's here so here really is the best place to ask!
    If you have gained weight you must have been eating more than 2280 cals, so why dont you think you could eat that much now?

    Because she said she gained weight by eating the wrong foods.. It's TOO EASY to eat 2280 in the wrong foods.. It's much harder for most of us to meet that amount with healthier options.

    OP, Whole dairy products and nuts/seeds are a great way to add calories to your diet. Also forget about fat-free dressings and use a bit of olive oil/vinegar .. a hundred calories here and there adds up quickly!

    Thank you, i didnt consider nuts and seeds!
    yes I ate all the wrong things and want to go back to eating healthy, I managed to lose 50lbs by eating healthy and I ate a lot but stuck to a 1400 cal diet and tend to eat low carb diet as it helps with my IBS. After sticking to a 1400 cal diet and always feeling full the 2280 seems a rather large amount!
    It's not as hard as it sounds. Plenty of healthy calorie dense foods. Throw some olive oil on your chicken before you cook it. Have beans or rice. If your struggling that badly eat a few tablespoons of peanut butter.

    Also very helpful thank you, I not sure i could stomach peanut butter but I guess something like almond butter might do instead?
    Your pregnant you gain weight and should not diet. Eating healthy is the key not calories.

    I know and I'm not trying to diet but if I have been eating badly this pregnancy and suddenly switch to my idea of healthy eating I.e how I ate before getting pregnant then I am almost guaranteed to lose weight which I know is bad during pregnancy, hence why I want to make sure i eat healthy and get enough calories to maintain my weight and not to eat too little and end up losing.

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