700 caolries to 1200 calories?

cjsgrimlin
cjsgrimlin Posts: 246
edited September 24 in Food and Nutrition
When i started logging all my food last month i realized one thing, if my diet was left to the way i normally eat on any given day i would only have around a 700 calorie intake. Not that i wasn't hungry i just didn't eat! I always thought i was eating too many calories and having seconds at dinner 2 hours before bed. Well 30 pounds and 2 years later i realize i don't eat enough. I can barely make 1200 cals now!!

How do you get higher calories eating around 2 meals a day without eating junk food?
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Replies

  • hroush
    hroush Posts: 2,073 Member
    Could yo sneak a granola / protein bar in there some where? That would give you an extra 100 calories and another meal.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    You start eating 3 meals plus 2-3 snacks per day.
  • judy4all
    judy4all Posts: 2
    Easy... Do you like nuts? 1/2 cup of almonds + 1 glass of orange juice is all you need.

    Or 3 glasses of milk during the day... Gives you great protein and calcium....
  • JenniferAutumn
    JenniferAutumn Posts: 228 Member


    How do you get higher calories eating around 2 meals a day without eating junk food?

    Are you only planning to eat twice a day?

    You really need to eat 3 meals and a few healthy snacks during the day
  • PNCTink
    PNCTink Posts: 232 Member
    How about smoothies? You can put quite a bit in there, like avocado, soaked nuts, and fruits or protein powder.
  • luv2ash
    luv2ash Posts: 1,903 Member
    eating 2 meals a day won't cut it. I eat 6 meals!!! And I continue to lose weekly
  • 6Janelle13
    6Janelle13 Posts: 353 Member
    i have snacks (whole grains like pita and humus or triscuit and string cheese) they are easy to eat on the go and low in sodium. That being said I also struggle with meeting 1200. My hubby says if i have a salad use the dressing to up calories and or have a yogurt for dessert in the evening. the secret is most of these snacks are over 120 calories so it adds up fast. also remember we are estimating calories and portions for the most part so you may have more then you think.
  • ashlee954
    ashlee954 Posts: 1,112 Member
    You start eating 3 meals plus 2-3 snacks per day.

    AGREED!
  • skinnylizzard
    skinnylizzard Posts: 460 Member
    You could try to get some healthy fats in your diet...avocados, nuts or fish oil supplements. I heard coconut oil helps with weight loss.
  • StaceG1986
    StaceG1986 Posts: 350
    Bananas. Nuts.
  • proverbs31chick
    proverbs31chick Posts: 485 Member
    Oh wow I thought 1200 calories wasn't enough and I was eathing healthy foods throughout the day. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, I snack (healthy) all day, like every 2-3 hours. Bananas, apples, grapes, carrots, wheat wasa crisp bread. Just eat a snack between every meal.
  • emilysebastian
    emilysebastian Posts: 245 Member
    Easy... Do you like nuts? 1/2 cup of almonds + 1 glass of orange juice is all you need.

    Or 3 glasses of milk during the day... Gives you great protein and calcium....

    GREAT ideas... and avocado if you like it--delish! Ooo--and one of my faves is Peanut Butter, but go with the natural/unsalted brands.

    Also, you really should consider eating smaller portions more often--it will give your metabolism a kick in the pants.
  • amyoliver85
    amyoliver85 Posts: 353 Member
    First...you need to eat more than twice a day. Keep some snacks nearby--like almonds or hazelnuts or cashews. Even trail mix.

    Next, keep 4 dark chocolate Hershey's Kisses in your purse at all times. They are worth 20 calories a piece--some days, I have to eat them to get my calorie count up. Or put some dressing on your salad. REGULAR dressing.

    And, drink some calories. Get a Jamba Juice--most of those have at least 400-500 calories in them. So if you really can't make it, go ahead and grab a Jamba.

    Now for the big one...sweetie, you can't eat only 700 calories per day and you can't eat only twice per day. Even if you get up to 1200 calories per day, you will still not lose weight if you are only eating twice per day. Every four hours, your body has burned the potential energy of your foods and if you don't eat, it begins storing the fat despite the fact you ate 1200 calories.

    You should eat about 400 for breakfast, 300 for lunch and 300 for dinner, with 200 calories in snacks the rest of the day. That will mean you eat FIVE times. I eat all day long...just in little bits and pieces. I make sure that I prelog my almonds and then put them on my desk at work and then just pick at them as the day goes by. That way I eat them all and ensure that my body is getting something to burn.
  • lodro
    lodro Posts: 982 Member
    It seems the advice is to fill up the missing calories with carbohydrates? Juice? Chocolate? Or fats (peanut butter, nuts, watch that sodium if you have the salted and roasted variety)

    Given the fact that most people underestimate their caloric intake, being somewhat off the mark doesn't need to be bad at all. Also, "starvation mode" isn't really an issue in people who are overweight and bringing their weight down, IMO . But please also be aware that as your weight comes down, you'll actually need fewer calories to maintain than before your weight loss.
  • lisa451999
    lisa451999 Posts: 84
    You need to eat small amounts every 3 hours to keep your metabolism revved. Eating only twice a day makes your metabolism crash and your body goes into starvation mode which in turn causes your body to store calories as fat. Eat up, girl! :)
  • lodro
    lodro Posts: 982 Member
    You need to eat small amounts every 3 hours to keep your metabolism revved. Eating only twice a day makes your metabolism crash and your body goes into starvation mode which in turn causes your body to store calories as fat. Eat up, girl! :)

    I feel the need to say that that is a myth.
  • nickscutie
    nickscutie Posts: 303 Member
    This was an interesting thread from last week that made me think of your post:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/172515-frantic-about-adhering-to-the-right-calorie-intake-read-t

    I think it is worth a read (it is long) and may help you figure out how many calories you should really be eating to lose weight AND be healthy.

    Good luck :)
  • JillyCornwall
    JillyCornwall Posts: 376 Member
    When i started logging all my food last month i realized one thing, if my diet was left to the way i normally eat on any given day i would only have around a 700 calorie intake. Not that i wasn't hungry i just didn't eat! I always thought i was eating too many calories and having seconds at dinner 2 hours before bed. Well 30 pounds and 2 years later i realize i don't eat enough. I can barely make 1200 cals now!!

    How do you get higher calories eating around 2 meals a day without eating junk food?

    Hang on a minute your food diary tell a very different story from what you are saying. When you have completed it it shows you have been eating from 1200-1600 cals so where is the problem. You would find it easier as well if you had breakfast.
  • nikkih7869
    nikkih7869 Posts: 58
    Im in exactly the same position as u! I never feel hungry 2 eat snacks! Or have any other meals! I feel like I eat plenty! xxxx
  • 123456654321
    123456654321 Posts: 1,311 Member
    Why do you only want to eat two meals a day? Just curious.

    Anyway doing little things like adding nuts, avocado and olive oil to your meals with help increase calories quite a bit.
  • yellowfairy
    yellowfairy Posts: 207 Member
    In my personal opinion, I think that you should really try to track every day. Also, I do see that you are going well over the 1200 range, so I think that part is fine-I think you should just spread your meals out a wee bit more. Just my opinion though-I am still struggling to lose my weight-so I am no expert!
  • 123456654321
    123456654321 Posts: 1,311 Member
    You need to eat small amounts every 3 hours to keep your metabolism revved. Eating only twice a day makes your metabolism crash and your body goes into starvation mode which in turn causes your body to store calories as fat. Eat up, girl! :)

    Eating small amounts throughout the day can be helpful and probably easier on the digestive system, but as long as you are getting efficient number of calories, when you eat them shouldn't matter in regards to weight loss.
  • mblanch
    mblanch Posts: 81 Member
    nuts, seeds, dried/fresh fruit are all good. Nuts are high in calories but are also really good for you :) And I agree with the above comments you need to eat at least three meals a day. Ive even heard it said it's better to eat four smaller meals. I eat 3 meals and 2 snacks which tend to be fruit and/or nuts.
  • callipygianchronicle
    callipygianchronicle Posts: 811 Member
    Well, your diary shows more than 1200 calories on the days you have recorded. But the pattern of what you’re eating and when is problematic and will not lead to longterm weight-loss or sustained health. The huge dumps of rich, fatty, high sodium meals (Pizza Hut pizza, Mcdonald’s hamburgers) are processed by your body in ways that will make you gain weight and damage your heart if you stick to them long term. Even if you are in calorie deficit, which based on your diary you often are not, you need fresh fruits, vegetable, whole grains, and lean protein for longterm weight loss and health. The way you are eating right now *may* produce a short term benefit, but the costs longterm are going to be major.
  • southernlay_d
    southernlay_d Posts: 111
    Well, your diary shows more than 1200 calories on the days you have recorded.

    Damn public food diary foils another post! LMAO
  • cjsgrimlin
    cjsgrimlin Posts: 246
    The only reason my diary shows that i have over 1200 calories is i have been trying. Today is the first day that i have eaten like i normally do and i still have around 500 cal to go and dunno what to eat.
  • lisa451999
    lisa451999 Posts: 84
    Why do you say that is a myth? I have read a lot on this subject and there is research and evidence supporting what I said.
  • Terri73
    Terri73 Posts: 238
    People think i starve myself but i just dont eat i can go to 4pm without a thing or just a banana or something. Its just im not hungry !! Maybe its all the coffee i drink as ive heard its an appetite suppressant!!!
  • Painten
    Painten Posts: 499 Member
    When i started logging all my food last month i realized one thing, if my diet was left to the way i normally eat on any given day i would only have around a 700 calorie intake. Not that i wasn't hungry i just didn't eat! I always thought i was eating too many calories and having seconds at dinner 2 hours before bed. Well 30 pounds and 2 years later i realize i don't eat enough. I can barely make 1200 cals now!!

    How do you get higher calories eating around 2 meals a day without eating junk food?
    It seems the advice is to fill up the missing calories with carbohydrates? Juice? Chocolate? Or fats (peanut butter, nuts, watch that sodium if you have the salted and roasted variety)

    Given the fact that most people underestimate their caloric intake, being somewhat off the mark doesn't need to be bad at all. Also, "starvation mode" isn't really an issue in people who are overweight and bringing their weight down, IMO . But please also be aware that as your weight comes down, you'll actually need fewer calories to maintain than before your weight loss.

    If as the OP suggest she normally only eats 700 cals a day she wouldn't be overweight, she'd most likely be underweight.
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    When i started logging all my food last month i realized one thing, if my diet was left to the way i normally eat on any given day i would only have around a 700 calorie intake. Not that i wasn't hungry i just didn't eat! I always thought i was eating too many calories and having seconds at dinner 2 hours before bed. Well 30 pounds and 2 years later i realize i don't eat enough. I can barely make 1200 cals now!!

    How do you get higher calories eating around 2 meals a day without eating junk food?
    It seems the advice is to fill up the missing calories with carbohydrates? Juice? Chocolate? Or fats (peanut butter, nuts, watch that sodium if you have the salted and roasted variety)

    Given the fact that most people underestimate their caloric intake, being somewhat off the mark doesn't need to be bad at all. Also, "starvation mode" isn't really an issue in people who are overweight and bringing their weight down, IMO . But please also be aware that as your weight comes down, you'll actually need fewer calories to maintain than before your weight loss.

    If as the OP suggest she normally only eats 700 cals a day she wouldn't be overweight, she'd most likely be underweight.

    Agreed. Pretty sure eating 700 calories a day for 2 years didn't make the OP 30 pounds overweight. Most likely poor diet and nutrtition and lack of physical activity did.

    That being said, yes, you should always try to eat at least 1200 calories a day of nutrient rich unprocessed foods. Give up the fast food!! I eat 1600-1800 calories of unprocessed natural foods a day, believe me, its doable!
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