Struggling To Get Up To 1200

I'd say a low day every now and then won't hurt you but if you find this happens several times a week you might try to add a higher calorie snack such as nuts or something else that might get you closer to the minimum goal MFP has set for you. Don't "force" yourself to eat but I wouldn't "go low" too often if possible.

Yes I would recommend you get up to 1200 calories. You can probably even go slightly higher than that.

I have the same problem alot of days.I think I eat pretty well and lately it takes alot less to fill me up. about 5 mins ago I checked my food diary to make sure I was close as the day is ending, only to see that I was at only 900 and some odd cals for the day! My goal is over 1400!

Super important that you get your minimum daily calories! You will definitely go into the "starvation mode" if you are not eating enough. 800-900 calories a day is not enough for your body. 1200 is probably even on the low side, especially if you are active during the day.

Raw almonds and granola are very calorie dense.

I am having the same issue....I used to have issues staying close to it, normally on the very high side, and now I am lucky if i get to 1000. It always takes a snack in the evening to get it over the 1200. The funny thing is that I am eating constantly. The things I am eating have changed drastically though. There has got to be some middle ground.

Agreed!

It's really important to get up to 1200 and not go below that 1200 mark, especially for males. Make sure your body is getting the appropriate nutrients (complex carbohydrates, protein, fiber, fats, etc). If you're not eating enough (even if you seem full), your metabolism begins to slow down because your body wants to hold onto and store the nutrients that it's getting. Eat more calorie dense foods such as nuts, avocados, and dark chocolate.

I'd start with adding a mid morning snack, a banana would easily add on 100 calories or so. Then for lunch I'd go for a bigger salad (I assume that's what you had....but IMO 2 leaves of lettuce is not enough nor is a 1/2 cup spinach) and I'd also go for full fat salad dressing to add on some calories even olive oil and balsamic vinegar would be great, that's my favorite dressing and it would add about 130 calories to your lunch. Then I'd have a mid afternoon snack maybe another peice of fruit or cottage cheese (good protein source) or really anything for maybe approx 100 calories.

Adding those things alone would be about 300-350 more per day bringing you up to closer to 1500.

Then if you are still under just up your serving size, eat 1/2 cup of cereal instead of the 1/4 cup you ate. Make sure you are choosing full fat yogurt and not the light, diet, versions.

If you do some or all of the above you will reach 1200-1500 no problem!!!


**I just looked over your diary again and if you were to have done your day my way you would be at 1570-1600 right now for calories and it really isn't much more food, just added 2 snacks (1 am and 1 pm) and upped your evening honey to 1 full tbls, and your cereal to 1/2 cup instead of 1/4 cup and changed your lunch salad dressing to full fat and did 2 cups spinach**

Thank goodness, i thought i was the only one. It seems counter-intuitive when i love food SO much that i would have trouble reaching 1200 per day but i do. I'm eating very carefully and averaging about 250-300 calories per meal and 100 or so calories per snack, but there are days that i get to the end and realise i've only reached 1000 calories.
Nuts are dangerous for me - as are crackers, dried fruit, chocolate etc I can eat way too many before i realise i've gone overboard. I'm an all or nothing kind of gal. So i try fruit or protein bars. Once they're finished there's no more left and i can keep them in my handbag/car.