We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

How many calories do you leave yourself for dinner?

getting_fit86
getting_fit86 Posts: 128 Member
edited January 31 in Health and Weight Loss
Just out of curiosity... How many calories do you leave yourself for dinner? I like to leave myself at LEAST 600-800 calories so I have a bit more cushion to have a decent meal and a bed time snack. Though some days are harder than others when I just feel hungry all day at work!
«134

Replies

  • Pearsquared
    Pearsquared Posts: 1,656 Member
    I generally leave about 500 or so...but I like to eat quite a bit at night, so that's where most of my calories go, lol.
  • RachyD21
    RachyD21 Posts: 83 Member
    Usually 400-500 for dinner plus another 100-150 for an after dinner snack :o)
  • tarag8100
    tarag8100 Posts: 60 Member
    my goal is about 1600/day and I found that if I saved too many for dinner, I was a bit of a bear. I usually go for around 500 calories.
  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
    I leave as many as possible, it depends how hungry I am through out the day.
  • brianalynnx
    brianalynnx Posts: 25 Member
    I typically leave 400-600 for dinner, depending on what I will be having then save an extra 100-150 for a night time snack (I try to have something small like a cheese stick + carrots or almonds).
  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    Usually between 1000 and 1200 calories for dinner
  • ilmb87
    ilmb87 Posts: 216 Member
    I leave as many as possible, it depends how hungry I am through out the day.

    This. I typically have at LEAST 600 calories. I'm all right with having a smaller breakfast or lunch, but I can't do small dinners.
  • lovelyx091
    lovelyx091 Posts: 217 Member
    AS many as I can, today my remaining is over 1,000 but for dinner I usually try to not go over 800, dinner is always my biggest meal.
    I save some for my yummy green apples lol.
  • rebeccalee1986
    rebeccalee1986 Posts: 338
    I plan my diary a day before so I can tweak what I will eat for dinner therefore it provides an ability to adjust my breakfast and lunch. I calculate everything including my snacks throughout the day. It does help me to make more informed choices. My calories can range anywhere from 250- 500 for dinner depends what I plan for
  • 55in13
    55in13 Posts: 1,091 Member
    I leave as many as possible, it depends how hungry I am through out the day.

    This. I typically have at LEAST 600 calories. I'm all right with having a smaller breakfast or lunch, but I can't do small dinners.
    Me three! That way dinner at home with the family is a normal meal (not a "diet meal for dad").
  • tmpecus78
    tmpecus78 Posts: 1,206 Member
    I leaving 60% of my calories for "dinner", which depending on the day is anywhere from 1,500-2,400 calories.
  • born2drum
    born2drum Posts: 731 Member
    I aim for 600-800 so it leaves me some room to eat whatever I want. I aim to hit 70% of my macros at work since I don't get the urge to eat as much.
  • TribeHokie
    TribeHokie Posts: 711 Member
    600-800, but it usually doesn't end up being that much. I then make that up in dessert / post-dinner snack. I'm big into smoothies right now.
  • Specialkayrina
    Specialkayrina Posts: 242 Member
    Usually at least 600 calories for dinner. Dinner is most of the time my biggest meal of the day.
  • glin23
    glin23 Posts: 460 Member
    I leave as many as possible, it depends how hungry I am through out the day.

    This
  • Velum_cado
    Velum_cado Posts: 1,608 Member
    1000 or so
  • Followingsea
    Followingsea Posts: 407 Member
    Almost all of them. Dinner is my main meal of the day.
  • AliceA2013
    AliceA2013 Posts: 65 Member
    Wherever did "eat like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper" go?

    I divide my meals into 4 x 300-400 cal meals, depending on how I feel. I prefer to go through the day fooling my body that I'm not dieting by leaving the smallest meal for last - then I'm only entitled to feel hungry :) for the last few hours before bedtime. Crazy or what?
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    600 in case I want a snack later. Most days I end up under goal though.
  • eileen0515
    eileen0515 Posts: 408 Member
    My daily caloric goal is a moving target, depending on how much exercise I've done. I do tend to leave a bit less than half my daily calories for dinner and a sensible late evening snack.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I'm with you. 600-800 are a *bare* minimum. Many nights I eat about 1000 calories for dinner and dessert.
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    800-1000.
  • jdm_taco
    jdm_taco Posts: 999 Member
    I leaving 60% of my calories for "dinner", which depending on the day is anywhere from 1,500-2,400 calories.
    Yes sir!

    That's how I do *kitten*.
  • supremelady
    supremelady Posts: 211 Member
    Dinner is my biggest meal of the day so most days at a minimum 1000/1200 or more. occasionally i'll have a big lunch or a couple of extra snacks during the day that will leave me with about 900 or so calories left for dinner.
  • thistimewillbedifferent
    thistimewillbedifferent Posts: 217 Member
    I try not to exceed 500 calories in one sitting/meal, so I leave myself 500 cals for dinner and 200 cals for an evening snack.

    I usually have approx 350 for bfast, 200 for morning snack, approx 350 for lunch, and 200 for afternoon snack, for a daily total of approx 1800, although I'm okay with going up to 2000 if needed. If I have a business lunch out in a resto, then lunch might be closer to 500, in which case I try to make dinner that day closer to 350.
  • SmilinSue12
    SmilinSue12 Posts: 71 Member
    I leave as many as possible, it depends how hungry I am through out the day.

    Ditto....
  • megalin9
    megalin9 Posts: 771 Member
    As of 3 weeks ago, I leave 1000-1200 for dinner (on 1800 calories). Room for a huge dinner and dessert.
  • tmpecus78
    tmpecus78 Posts: 1,206 Member
    I leaving 60% of my calories for "dinner", which depending on the day is anywhere from 1,500-2,400 calories.
    Yes sir!

    That's how I do *kitten*.

    that's how it's done!
  • tmpecus78
    tmpecus78 Posts: 1,206 Member
    I leave as many as possible, it depends how hungry I am through out the day.

    Ditto....

    From the looks of your profile photo, I take it you drink most of your calories. :noway: :laugh:
  • WhitneySheree88
    WhitneySheree88 Posts: 222 Member
    As many as possible. I am a late night eater so I have found that if I leave like .. 500-600 calories for dinner and I eat later I wont snack on unneeded foods, it works for me :happy:
This discussion has been closed.

Categories