Easing off on portion size

eastjc
eastjc Posts: 32 Member
edited November 8 in Food and Nutrition
I have swapped to eating massive salads (only dipping fork in dressing too) for my lunches and dinners with a meat and veggies. Swapped to diet sodas to save some calories and still drink a few pops. Lots of walking.

I need ideas on things that will be very low calories but help cut hunger pangs. I need to cut on portion size but don't want to feel like I'm starving to death while I'm doing it. Part of it I know is habit, and it's not practical to eat 10 times a day. And a granola bar does nothing...

Help me fitness-kenobi, you're my only hope.

Replies

  • peachyfuzzle
    peachyfuzzle Posts: 1,122 Member
    Foods higher in protein will tend to make you feel full for a longer period of time. Example: Something I eat nearly every day is a 113g serving of cottage cheese with a 76g pouch of tuna fish. It's about 180cal, but had around 30g of protein, and will sustain me for at least two hours before I feel like I need to eat again.

    One thing you really might want to do is cut out the soda, and juices altogether. Even if they are diet, they still contain calories, and you could actually eat more food if you just switched over to water.
  • Adc7225
    Adc7225 Posts: 1,318 Member
    Switch the meals, having the meat and veggies for lunch then have the salad for dinner, some dressing won't hurt plus we still need some fat in our diets. I rotate my meals sometimes, plus since I don't care for eating salad during the day because it doesn't fill me up but it's fine for dinner. Do you have at least a serving of protein on your salads?

    I think the portion size comes in as you lose and your calorie goal goes down.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    edited November 2014
    I think you're eating the wrong granola bars! Try the Nature Valley Crunchy granola bars. They're VERY filling.

    Fiber is really filling. Protein and fats are filling.

    Have a bowl of mixed berries. They're filling, healthy, very low-cal and very tasty. :)
  • eastjc
    eastjc Posts: 32 Member
    I cut sodas to two diet cokes or dr peppers per day max and just drink coffee and water besides that. I'll try kicking up the protiens. I have salad for both lunch and dinner, I've cut most of the carbs out and also have 2 servings of veggies with lunch and dinner (most of the time) It's hard not scarfing a huge steak cause I need to keep under my 1300 calories. I'll add you guys if you want and you can see what I've been doing. Thank you for the advice!
  • LettingTheSmallStuffGo
    LettingTheSmallStuffGo Posts: 72 Member
    I started eating 1 protein, 1 carb and 1 fat (that's 1 tablespoon) every meal which has been a lifesaver for me. I'm a hungry person all the time. I like to party in the kitchen every day! But I started eating this way last Thursday and I am NOT hungry. I try to eat the type of protein, carbs and fats that are the most filling and satisfying for me. I would be hungry if I were eating salads. Check out my diary if you like.
  • segacs
    segacs Posts: 4,599 Member
    1300 calories? For a 39-year-old man? Unless you have some sort of medical reason for that, it seems ridiculously low. I'm a 5'1" woman and eat more than that.
  • Oi_Sunshine
    Oi_Sunshine Posts: 819 Member
    Oatmeal is incredibly filling for breakfast. I add peanut butter and maple syrup to mine, and maybe some banana slices. A little goes a long way.
    Eggs, cottage cheese or real yogurt (not filled with cornstarch), tuna, chicken, ham, any of these with raw or steamed veggies or salad for lunch. For salads, add your choice of nuts or seeds, shredded cheese, dried cranberries or other fruit, black olives, a splash of balsamic vinegar. A lot of things add flavor without using dressing.
    I eat dinner knowing I will be snacking later. I eat half my calories for the day at dinner and later, so I dole out calories accordingly earlier in the day. My post-childrens-bedtime celebratory snack makes me happy, so it's a priority.

    Know what time of day you really like to eat and plan from there.
  • LINIA
    LINIA Posts: 1,159 Member
    Dear Eastjc,
    If you really want excellent, targeted advice...open your diary. We can give you specific suggestions if we know what you're actually eating now.
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