Can you not eat enough?

acarmon55 · January 2015

I have just recently started using MFP consistently logging everything everyday and I am on the fourth day. I did not exercise yesterday and still had a 359 deficit in my calories. When I do exercise, I have a lot more. I am not trying to lose a ton of weight (10 lbs wouldn't hurt), but began MFP because I want to get healthier and see what type of food I eat and how nutritious it is. I have been eating some in the mornings where I would skip breakfast before, but I do not snack in between meals and don't seem to eat a whole lot. I do not feel hungry either. Should I make myself eat more even though I am not hungry or listen to my body and how I feel?

- cross posted on Food and Nutrition

November_Fire · January 2015

Without looking at your diary it's hard to tell. If you're not eating much and don't feel hungry, then I'm wondering where you managed to get the 10lb you want to lose?

I started out similar to you, more interested in working out my diet's nutrition than I was in full-on weight loss (I was always hungry and used MFP to see why - not enough protein. Ate more protein, fixed my problem. Ate fewer cals to lose weight. Job done.) So I get where you're coming from there.

If you're losing weight and are happy with it, enjoy it while it lasts. There's no need to eat if you don't want to. I do worry, though, that if you're eating hundreds and hundreds lower than a healthy, that your low appetite is a problem for other reasons (ie: are you depressed?)

jkwolly · January 2015

More calorie dense foods.

Cheese, oils, wine, peanut butter, etc.

diannethegeek · January 2015

This seems to be pretty common as people cut out some of their usual foods because they aren't "healthy" but end up cutting out too much. Add back in some of the foods you used to eat in smaller quantities or add in more calorie dense foods.

This is a generic list and doesn't account for your personal needs, but anything here can be included in a balanced diet (as long as there are no allergies, medical conditions, obviously):
avocado
cheese
full fat diary
Greek yogurt
ice cream
peanut butter (or other nut butters)
dark chocolate
less lean cuts of meat
seeds (chia, flax, sunflower, etc.)
nuts
olive oil
coconut oil
butter
beans and lentils
protein shakes, bars, and smoothies
hummus
beef jerky
cornbread
tuna
full calorie condiments
full calorie sauces & dressings
sour cream
guacamole
whole grain pasta
rice
bacon
whole eggs
quinoa
fruit and fruit juices
pretzels
bananas
scones
muffins (bran, blueberry, banana nut, etc.)
potatoes (sweet, red, gold, purple, white, etc.)
granola
coconut
salmon
edamame
honey
molasses

TimothyFish · January 2015

I think that is pretty typical for when you first start logging. Once the new wears off, it'll change.

Fuchsiagenii · January 2015

Better to eat smaller portions with healthy snacks in between the main meals with lots of water. This will help to keep your metabolism going. If you skip on meals, your metabolism can get much slower, which in turn will slow down losing the weight.
I am not able to exercise, but need to lose lots of weight. My goal is to lose 2lb a week. This is my first day with MFP.

My problem today is that I have over 300 calories left after meals and snacks, but have exceeded the amount of proteins, carbs and sugar - I cannot think of any food that does not contain any proteins, cabs and sugar!

acarmon55 · January 2015

Thanks for the replies. No I am not depressed. I am a special education teacher, wife and mother of 2. I seem to be very busy during the day and don't really think about food a lot. I have made my diary public if anyone wants to look at it to help. I don't know that the exercise calories are 100% accurate because I am using the treadmill numbers right now. I only drink water except when I have sweet tea with my dinner. As for the 10 pounds, I just think I like the number of 150 better than 160 and I am working on toning to look better. I am within normal weight as I am 5'10" tall. Thanks again for all the advice!

clambert1273 · January 2015

lol when I used to have calories left I did one of two things... I saved them up (yay for the weekend!!) OR poured a huge fat *kitten* glass of wine... worked either way lol

Roxiegirl2008 · January 2015

I eat every single calorie....well because I am a huge snacker and horrible if the "beast" gets hungry. HAAA I will say that I typically don't eat back the exercise calories. That is just me.

My go to snacks are almonds, apples with almond butter, cheese, crackers (easy 130 calories depending on brand) or kind bars (or something like that).

Good luck! I know it is hard at first to figure everything out.

lindzgayle · January 2015

Fuchsiagenii wrote: »

Better to eat smaller portions with healthy snacks in between the main meals with lots of water. This will help to keep your metabolism going. If you skip on meals, your metabolism can get much slower, which in turn will slow down losing the weight.
I am not able to exercise, but need to lose lots of weight. My goal is to lose 2lb a week. This is my first day with MFP.

My problem today is that I have over 300 calories left after meals and snacks, but have exceeded the amount of proteins, carbs and sugar - I cannot think of any food that does not contain any proteins, cabs and sugar!

Can you open your diary so we can take a look at your meals?

Also, why are you not able to exercise? What about walking or swimming?

diannethegeek · January 2015

Fuchsiagenii wrote: »

Better to eat smaller portions with healthy snacks in between the main meals with lots of water. This will help to keep your metabolism going. If you skip on meals, your metabolism can get much slower, which in turn will slow down losing the weight.
I am not able to exercise, but need to lose lots of weight. My goal is to lose 2lb a week. This is my first day with MFP.

My problem today is that I have over 300 calories left after meals and snacks, but have exceeded the amount of proteins, carbs and sugar - I cannot think of any food that does not contain any proteins, cabs and sugar!

Okay, first, some people do feel better eating smaller meals throughout the day, and if you feel good doing it then should keep doing it. But it takes something like 72 hours before metabolism will slow down without food, so skipping a meal or a snack isn't going to hurt you.

Depending on your goals and how they're set up, it's not particularly bad to go over on proteins, carbs, or sugar (given no medical conditions, of course). A lot of us consider our protein goals as minimums anyway to help prevent lean muscle loss, especially if you're using MFP's default numbers. Don't be afraid of the red when you're short on calories.

jkwolly · January 2015

clambert1273 wrote: »

lol when I used to have calories left I did one of two things... I saved them up (yay for the weekend!!) OR poured a huge fat *kitten* glass of wine... worked either way lol

You are my twinsie.

clambert1273 · January 2015

jkwolly wrote: »

clambert1273 wrote: »

lol when I used to have calories left I did one of two things... I saved them up (yay for the weekend!!) OR poured a huge fat *kitten* glass of wine... worked either way lol

You are my twinsie.

but sadly, I don't have them left any more

I am waiting for the day when I am short on them and can pour my glass and rejoice lol

Can you not eat enough?

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