I have a homemade protein shake in the am- the powder is only 100 cals with 15gm protein,sometimes with a scoop of ground flax, does help keep me fairly full for a while in the morning. Sometimes an egg white breakfast sandwich on 100 cal bread,turkey bacon and a piece of fr cheese is also filling in the am. I also make fruit smoothies with 1 container ff fruit flavored yogart(100 cal or less) and a cup of fruit (I use frozen fruit, so no need for ice cubes and it doesnt get watered down) and a splash of whatever diet fruit juice have if too thick.
I always have some type of vegetable soup on hand for when I get ravenous . Various vegetable and broth and seasoning with herbs etc as u like- u can eat a lot for little calories. I added a can of low fat canned chicken and still very low cal.
Also a mug of coffee to sip on all day. And I try to drink green tea too

I do a lot of unsalted almonds. They keep you full, in my opinion. The protein shake idea is definitely useful. I don't find that eating less carbs makes me feel full - honestly it just makes me want to eat more! I think another great one is vegetables in general broccoli, cauliflower, etc. Also making things from scratch will help you better understand where the calories are going. I have homemade granola for that reason!

Hope this helps.

i feel pretty full with the low cal fruits and veggies because you can eat a lot! also if you're hungry sometimes drinking water or just doing something completely unrelated to dieting makes you forget about it haha.

Hello Darling (: When i was at 1200 cal/day I would typically have a cup of cereal with a full banana, the calories are est total of 160 and tides me over till lunch where i have some simple salad (really easy- homemade turkey breast/ham lettuce tomatoes spinich and whatever vegetable was on sale that week XD) thats a bout 250 cal depending and for lunch i start with a salad and have half a trout with jasmine rice and some more salad. about 500 cal for the fish and rice and 250 for salad. Hopefully this gives you some ideas (:

Im on 1260 and my diary is currently open, backtrack to about 3+ weeks ago and you'll see 1200.

I'd love to check out your banana bread reciepe if you dont mind sharing!

I eat 1200-something calories a day, and it seems to work for me as long as a I follow my natural hunger cues and don't try to eat according to someone else's schedule (like the 3 meals, 2 snacks a day thing REALLY doesn't work for me - I end up being miserable and famished.)

I'm rarely hungry for breakfast, so I usually start my day off with coffee, by 12-2 I will want to eat and I'll have a substantial lunch - usually a wrap filled with lots of veggies and meat or avocado or cheese or hummus. Dinner is some sort of protein, usually with veggies and some potato or rice or pasta. If I am hungry before the gym I'll have a protein bar or protein shake (my only real non-whole food indulgences) or yogurt.

I don't believe in low-fat, fat-free this and that, all those foods are just laden with chemicals and gums and things I have no interest of putting in my body.

If I find myself really hungry in the evening, I usually just suck it up and go to bed, or if I am really in the mood, I enjoy myself and have a half a bar of chocolate (milk or dark, I like both). When I indulge, I do it with all the things I love, no "diet" substitutes. But I don't indulge that often, so I make it work.

I guess my point is - listen to your own body's cues. Eat when you are actually hungry - I promise it will be much more satisfying.

1200 calories here too. I'm working on the "50 protein /30 carb. /20 fat" macros It is very filling and satisfying, once you get your proteins up there. Higher protein is suppose to help shed the fat faster and leave less room for losing lean muscle. I'm enjoying it & my energy is higher throughout the day.

I am staying away from Diet Pepsi as much as possible! Also I order Nutri-System food. It comes to my door and helps me with portion size. Also I do 300 abdominal crunches a day, 15 minutes on my stationary bicycle, arm exercises and a really good days I walk at the mall. When I walk, this is when I notice that I start to lose weight. I walk twice on the upper and lower level and I'm out of the elements, so my allergies are not effected. It's a win-win!

Excited to join this group!

I am on a 1200 calorie day diet as well. I start every single morning with a 110 calorie smoothie (banana & frozen fruit, water to help it blend.) I have gotten addicted to my morning smoothie! When I get bored, I just mix up what kind of fruit. For lunch, I try to eat a salad or a few small snacks. I try to save about 700 calories for dinner so I don't have to feel completely deprived when eating with my husband or family. I know it's better to spread my calories more evenly throughout the day, but I'd never meet my goals if I didn't allow for big family dinners at night.

Does anyone else save the bulk of their calories for a certain part of the day?

I found that 1200 was just not sustainable for me. I would be so hungry by dinnertime! I bumped up to 1280 and I allow myself to go over if I am running/exercising that day. It's much less likely that I binge now on the weekends. Just that little bit made a big difference for me.

I try to eat about 1000-1200 cals depending on when I exercise (seem to have quite a slow metabolism)but always seem to go over my sugar goal! even though everything else is below the nutrient goal !!which is odd because dont eat that much sugary stuff...

Same here.....go figure, huh?