We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

upping calorie intake?

realgirl9892
realgirl9892 Posts: 40
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I'm 18 and I weigh 160 lbs. How many calories should I be eating in a day? 1200 just doesn't feel like enough.

Replies

  • RCKT82
    RCKT82 Posts: 409 Member
    what's your height?
  • 5'6"
  • jamie1888
    jamie1888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    I don't see much for fiberous veggies in your diet. Add some bulk to meals with veggies. You don't seem to eat much lean protein either. Fiber & protein will help you feel full! Bump your fiber goal to 25 or 30grams. (But, increase to that amount slowly. You don't want to upset your system.)
  • I agree. But I'm often at the discretion of what my parents are eating, I live at home.
  • ChantalGG
    ChantalGG Posts: 2,404 Member
    I am doing 1200 calories right now too. Some days it is too much when i have a great work out and other days i wish i had more. If your goal to lose a lot sooner than later then keep at it. go shopping with whoever is the buying food so you can help make healthy choices fro yourself and family.
  • jamie1888
    jamie1888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    Maybe you can ask your mom to buy some baby spinach... whenever I need to add some veggies and don't feel like making any, I put my dinner (whatever it is) over a bed of spinach & eat it like a salad. Usually the juices from the entree are enough & I don't need to add a salad dressing. Just a thought!
  • katyrose221
    katyrose221 Posts: 69 Member
    When I got down to 1200, I was always hungry. 1200 is a guess based on abstract values that really don't take in to account how you, yourself, actually use and burn calories. I did two things, I upped my calorie limit (rather, I adjusted from 1lb/week to 1/2/week) and switched to a low-sugar and starchy-carbs/high protein diet. I typically eat between 1300 and 1400 calories. I am rarely hungry. Go with what your body is telling you.

    Though the diatetic association lists 1200 cals as the minimum before "starvation mode" as a general guideline. Many people reach that point before that. On average, most women should eat between 1400 and 1800 cals per day.

    Good luck!
This discussion has been closed.