Low Cal Food Hacks

gyal3
gyal3 Posts: 48 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey guys, MFP has me on a 1200 calorie goal, of which I have been having more misses than hits- averaging about 1400 calories/day. I try to eat a lot of veggies, for me volume is impt because keeps me full, but still run into problems. How do you keep full and within calorie restrictions?

Replies

  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    Lean meat, Greek yogurt, broccoli, and mushrooms have worked well for me. Also tomatoes and strawberries.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Air works well. This includes soft breads, air popped popcorn, wheat puffs, and Angel Food Cake.

    The second best volumizer is fiber, which you have discovered. This includes leafy vegetables, beans, chickpeas, and lentils. Try roasting chickpeas; very satisfying.

    Fats fill quickly but measure carefully! If you used to drown your salad in dressing, try a teaspoon instead.

    When I was restricted to 1200, I limited my snacks to 100 cals each. An easy one is a protein bar cut in half.
  • Bshmerlie
    Bshmerlie Posts: 1,026 Member
    I am also on 1200 calories a day. 1200 is very lean and there is not a lot of room for the fluff so make sure you choose your foods wisely to ensure your body is getting the proper nutitionslly it needs. When I first started I did multiple small meals throughout the day. That didn't work as I found myself grazing throughout the day and I went over. The I broke it up into three equal size 400 calories per meals. And I would keep a low calorie fruit with me if I got hungry between meals. So far it's working.
  • bpetrosky
    bpetrosky Posts: 3,911 Member
    The other day I made a dish with sauteed sausage slices, sliced onions, garlic and a lot of shredded red cabbage. Very filling for a dinner and it was about 330 cals if I recall correctly.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Exercise, to earn more.
  • gyal3
    gyal3 Posts: 48 Member
    - I just realized Greek yogurt is my friend and not full of sugar (like reg yogurt)- so will be hopping on that bandwagon soon
    - Trying to limit carbs- so any yeasty thing is avoided- plus in my experience it is not that filling. Been doing a *kitten* job of low carbing recently, but I am starting afresh again. I have a very high risk family hx of diabetes and while I am not a diabetic, I would rather do moderate low carb now than HAVE to later.
    - Yeah- portion control is hard for me since im ravenous in the AM and tend to eat all my calories then. But I agree, I will need to split them to 400 calories per meal so my food is more spread out- may curb nighttime hunger
    - Yeah I think I need to bulk up more on the supper low calories veggies like cabbage- gives me a lot more volume for my cals then say a package of frozen mixed veggies
    - I try to not to eat back what I exercise unless its over 600 calories expended or so- just cuz I am not too keen on how accurate the calculators are. But yeah, I still need to kick my exercise into gear

    Thanks everyone
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