Big Appetite Vs. Low Calorie Intake?

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badapdos
badapdos Posts: 132
in Food and Nutrition
Hi everyone.
MFP recommended that I eat 1200 calories a day. I have a small physique so I can't eat very much anyways. However, I've got a huge appetite and even with drinking a lot of water, I still feel hungry and crave food a lot of the time. I take appetite suppressants as well but those don't seem to help that much. Any tips or ideas? Thanks.

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  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
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    What is your height and weight? 1200 calories is too low for most people and if you're feeling hungry and deprived it is not likely to be sustainable long term.
  • EmilyEmpowered
    EmilyEmpowered Posts: 650 Member
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    I change my calorie goal every once in a while, and sometimes I eat around 1300 although I only do that for a few months at a time. I find that I cant really last on being so restrictive, especially when I am working out alot. Even when I am trying to eat around 1300 cals most days, I tend to have one or two days a week where I eat more than that.

    On the days I am keeping my cal count that low, I fill up on veggies. That is the only way that I can keep myself satisfied without binging at the end of the day. Also, I plan ahead exactly what foods I wil eat, dont allow myself to eat what I havent already logged for the day, and eat approximately every 2-3 hours, small meals full of protein and vegetables.

    On such a low calorie diet, there really is not room for "treats" perse, so you do have to really plan ahead and get the max amount of bulk for your calories. I eat pretty much the same thing daily during my work week, and my diary is open (although today I did have some baked chips when all my coworkers were having donuts, so that was something I normally wouldnt eat on my stricter days)

    A lot of people will tell you to just eat more, and I will say I do agree to a point. I know that when my mind is constantly on food and I am fighting myself not to binge daily, I am depriving myself and my body is saying YOU NEED MORE FOOD. Right now I am recovering from some health issues and that is why I have cut down to 1300, but I always listen to my body and if I feel like I'm constantly feeling unsatisfied, I up them a little at a time and see what happens.
  • BelindaComedy
    BelindaComedy Posts: 21 Member
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    Have you tried figuring out your TDEE? I figured out my basal metabolic rate and exercise calories and I eat about 400 cals more than MFP says to, and I am losing weight. Especially if you are working out as well. But what Emily says makes a lot of sense. Veggies are very filling, and just low calorie/high density foods.
  • badapdos
    badapdos Posts: 132
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    im 5' ~ 5'1 ft and i weight about 116.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
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    Are you sure you even need to lose weight?

    im 5' ~ 5'1 ft and i weight about 116.
  • jdaley90
    jdaley90 Posts: 259 Member
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    Are you sure you even need to lose weight?

    im 5' ~ 5'1 ft and i weight about 116.

    This, given that you are 5'1 and 116 with only a couple lbs to lose you're more realistic weight loss target should be half lb per week. Just because you tell MFP you want to lose 2lbs/week doesn't mean you should listen to it...

    Try finding your TDEE and go from there. I think you'll find you can eat A LOT more and lose weight! And why wouldnt you want to eat more if you can still lose weight?!

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

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