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Having a hard time finding balance

LaciNicole1991
LaciNicole1991 Posts: 3 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Im new to this, and having a hard time finding balance with my food. So far I have yet to hit my caloric intake and im overboard on vitamins A and C, not getting enough protein, etc., etc., I need help.
Thanks

Also, Im already crazy full without hitting the goal for calories

Replies

  • Jettin
    Jettin Posts: 1 Member
    Some people are very hungry when they start and some have less expanded stomachs, so they get pretty full eating healthy without eating as much. However, making a meal plan can help a lot with balancing macronutrients (protein, fat, carbs/fiber). Those are really important especially if you are starting new or more intense exercise. When I go through "not hungry" phases, I add protein bars as snacks or drink a protein shake with a meal to get in extra nutrients and calories. But it is also possible that you are over estimating your caloric need, sometimes I find including 'physical activity' in the calculation throws my calorie goal way too high. To get a better estimate, I use the FitMath app for android, which is similar to the calculators on this site: http://www.iifym.com/iifym-calculator/. Hope that helps!
  • xcalygrl
    xcalygrl Posts: 1,897 Member
    Are you weighing your food on a food scale? If you aren't, you may be overeating and under-recording. Packages aren't always accurate (they may say 1 serving, but actually be 1.25 servings). Measuring spoons are also highly inaccurate for solid and semi-solid (i.e. nut butters) food. If you aren't weighing, you can't be certain that you are eating as little or as much as you're recording in MFP.

    For starters on picking a calorie goal, put all of your stats into MFP and select a reasonable weight loss goal. See what it gives you. Eat to that goal for a few weeks then reevaluate based on your real results. If you choose to lose 1 pound per week but are actually losing 2 pounds, you can eat more and still lose. If you choose 1 pound and are only losing 0.5 pounds, then you need to cut your calories or increase your exercise.

    As for how to better hit your macros (carbs, fat, and protein), plan meals around them. Start with a serving of a protein (beef, chicken, pork, fish, tempeh, tofu, etc.), add a side of carbs (rice, pasta, potatoes, etc.), then add in veggies to get volume and more of your micro nutrients. Plan your snacks to fit what your meals won't provide you. For example, if you're low on fats, have a snack of an apple with some nut butter, or some cheese with veggies.

    Hope that helps!
  • LaciNicole1991
    LaciNicole1991 Posts: 3 Member
    Awesome, thank you. Yeah im just starting out and I put that I am pretty much on my *kitten* all day at work but the calories are really high still. I meal plan but I do not really know how to eat/cook healthy and balanced
  • LaciNicole1991
    LaciNicole1991 Posts: 3 Member
    No, I am not weighing my food, great advice i will get a scale tonight and try that thank you guys so much
  • Yi5hedr3
    Yi5hedr3 Posts: 2,696 Member
    Calories are probably set way too high. Lower them.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    Try planning and pre logging to see where you are before you eat. By logging food before you eat it you can have a chance to see what needs increasing or decreasing. Then of course make sure to weigh and measure properly.
  • TenaciousTAZ
    TenaciousTAZ Posts: 135 Member
    Planning meals ahead can help, and you can create a good protein, fat, carb ratio. After awhile, you know those meals are good and won't have to worry about them. I then cook ahead and have those meals in the freezer, and I can pull them out. I overeat carbs (even veggies), so I have to create a plan of attack to have good protein and healthy fat first, then add my carbs.
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