Help with calories not being enough.
sandragemini
Posts: 30 Member
So... I need some input or advice on my eating/diary... it says I'm not eating enough calories daily but I'm eating enough for me actually more than I would normally eat...I get stuffed with the amount of food I'm having. Especially after the surgery where everything is so tight in my abdominal muscles that I get full alot faster.
Breakfast: coffee and a bowl of fruit. (That's enough for me) i dont eat eggs or normal breakfast ( I'm very picky) so I eat my fruits in the morning since their higher in sugar.
Snack: granola bar
Lunch: peanut butter, banana protein shake
Snack: creamy Swiss cheese dippers ( it's like those little snacks kids have that it's a little pack of the bread stick crackers and u dip them in the cheese. Well it's a healthier version)
Dinner: chicken breast with ceaser salad.
I feel like I'm eating all day non stop!
I can't excersice for 3 months mandatory but still the doctor says it might be up to 6 months before I can comfortably do any thing that works my mid section or abs. So I'm try to eat better. But does eating better to hit ur calorie goals mean that I have to be stuffed all day.
I added my excersice which for me at this point will be cleaning a huge house everyday from the mess of 3 kids (believe it or not that's a work out with as many stairs as I have) but I still have 600 calories left ... theres no way I can eat 600 more calories!
Calories left 602
I've already had about 900 calories but when I add cleaning as an excersice it's burns 290 and brings me down..so technically I've only eaten 600 according to my diary.
Ive had 900 calories
Protein 44
Carbs 127
Fat 25
I really can't eat anymore than I do now. I'm very picky so I try to find simple ways to substitute healthier options with things that I like so I can enjoy what i eat and know I won't have to binge later.
Even before I had the surgery when I could handle eating bigger portions I still never made it to my calorie goal. I'm very petite I don't eat much but I feel I eat enough for what my body asks for.
I only want to lose 5-7lbs within the next 2 months.
Any help trying to understand this would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry for the long post
Breakfast: coffee and a bowl of fruit. (That's enough for me) i dont eat eggs or normal breakfast ( I'm very picky) so I eat my fruits in the morning since their higher in sugar.
Snack: granola bar
Lunch: peanut butter, banana protein shake
Snack: creamy Swiss cheese dippers ( it's like those little snacks kids have that it's a little pack of the bread stick crackers and u dip them in the cheese. Well it's a healthier version)
Dinner: chicken breast with ceaser salad.
I feel like I'm eating all day non stop!
I can't excersice for 3 months mandatory but still the doctor says it might be up to 6 months before I can comfortably do any thing that works my mid section or abs. So I'm try to eat better. But does eating better to hit ur calorie goals mean that I have to be stuffed all day.
I added my excersice which for me at this point will be cleaning a huge house everyday from the mess of 3 kids (believe it or not that's a work out with as many stairs as I have) but I still have 600 calories left ... theres no way I can eat 600 more calories!
Calories left 602
I've already had about 900 calories but when I add cleaning as an excersice it's burns 290 and brings me down..so technically I've only eaten 600 according to my diary.
Ive had 900 calories
Protein 44
Carbs 127
Fat 25
I really can't eat anymore than I do now. I'm very picky so I try to find simple ways to substitute healthier options with things that I like so I can enjoy what i eat and know I won't have to binge later.
Even before I had the surgery when I could handle eating bigger portions I still never made it to my calorie goal. I'm very petite I don't eat much but I feel I eat enough for what my body asks for.
I only want to lose 5-7lbs within the next 2 months.
Any help trying to understand this would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry for the long post
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Replies
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Maybe a first thing would be double check that you're counting calories as accurately as humanly possible - you might be a bit low on that front if you're really as full as you say from 900cal a day. Otherwise, don't worry too much about eating back exercise calories for now (i think though that cleaning like that would go more under total daily activity level than additional exercise) and add in a few smaller calorie and nutrient dense snacks - almonds, trail mixes, Greek yogurt, etc.0
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I see at least 1200 there minimum.
peanut butter has 90 calories a tbsp.
Average banana 100 calories, my smoothie has almost 500 calories in it.
bowl of fruit could be as high as 500,
granola bar about 100, salad wow 250, chicken maybe 200 depends on how it's cooked and if it has skin and if it's white or dark meat. crackers 100+
if after you have weighed and logged accurately and are sure you are eating too little add in calorie dense foods like avocados or high fat milk, cream or heck ice cream beer pizza...0 -
First thing: Are you losing weight at a reasonable level? If yes, then what's the problem?
Second thing: You are recovering from surgery, so you have special circumstances when it comes to how much you are eating.
Chances are that you are under estimating your caloric intake. My suggestion would be to just continue what you are doing if you are still losing weight. If you are not, then you may be significantly under estimating.0 -
First thing: Are you losing weight at a reasonable level? If yes, then what's the problem?
Second thing: You are recovering from surgery, so you have special circumstances when it comes to how much you are eating.
Chances are that you are under estimating your caloric intake. My suggestion would be to just continue what you are doing if you are still losing weight. If you are not, then you may be significantly under estimating.
Hi thanks...
So far the weight that I have lost was from not eating much during the recovery. but as far as before/normally I think I'm pretty much maintaining or losing very slowly.. my problem is since I am such a picky eater it's hard for me to eat very clean or low carb
As far as what I'm eating after the recovery, I'm back to my normal diet from before the surgery already but I do feel that I get full faster because I had muscle separation before and the fixed that super tight so I guess everything now has less space (idk) i just know that when I eat I feel so full.
I guess I'm just going to follow this for a month and see what happens.. maybe the smaller portions will actually be a good thing.
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Thanks0
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Mvp has a way of miscalculating things a lot, based on your list I am calling major Bluff on 900 calories. You're eating at least 400 calories more0
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sandragemini wrote: »First thing: Are you losing weight at a reasonable level? If yes, then what's the problem?
Second thing: You are recovering from surgery, so you have special circumstances when it comes to how much you are eating.
Chances are that you are under estimating your caloric intake. My suggestion would be to just continue what you are doing if you are still losing weight. If you are not, then you may be significantly under estimating.
Hi thanks...
So far the weight that I have lost was from not eating much during the recovery. but as far as before/normally I think I'm pretty much maintaining or losing very slowly.. my problem is since I am such a picky eater it's hard for me to eat very clean or low carb
You don't have to eat "very clean" or "low carb" to lose weight. You simply have to eat fewer calories than you burn. If you are regularly eating this and losing slowly or maintaining, my guess is that you are eating much more than you think you are.0 -
Your body will be doing interesting things after surgery. So, it will be difficult to give any meaningful advice until your body has actually fully recovered which is very hard to determine. Pushing your body too much during recovery can do far more damage than good, so be careful.
For now, going based on the scale should be good. If its not going down, move a little bit more in the day for example. Also see about a daily multivitamin to ensure you are getting proper nutrition.0 -
robs_ready wrote: »Mvp has a way of miscalculating things a lot, based on your list I am calling major Bluff on 900 calories. You're eating at least 400 calories more
MFP doesn't miscalculate it's an error in a user entry.
If you search for USDA entries they are usually spot on.
But yes I agree no way that's 900 calories.0 -
Maybe a first thing would be double check that you're counting calories as accurately as humanly possible - you might be a bit low on that front if you're really as full as you say from 900cal a day. Otherwise, don't worry too much about eating back exercise calories for now (i think though that cleaning like that would go more under total daily activity level than additional exercise) and add in a few smaller calorie and nutrient dense snacks - almonds, trail mixes, Greek yogurt, etc.
I am really counting every think and measuring as best as I can to be as accurate as possible. .. I added some Greek yogurt to my fruit bowl this morning to dip the fruits to get something else in there but it was too much to eat...I know I'm getting enough food .. even if I take out the cleaning it says I'm still too low... I do snack on almonds some times but I really have to limit nuts and seeds in my diet because I suffer from chrons disease ( I'm not on a strict diet due to it, because it's not to bad but as a suggestion my doc advised that I try to limit whatever nuts and seeds are possible ) normal snacks for me usually include, fruits Greek yogurt, banana with peanut butter crackers, the cheese dippers, maybe some popcorn. I eat alot but somehow it's never enough cause my food is usually low calorie but higher in carbs and maybe that's why I get full too.
The reason I count the house cleaning us because I have my activity level as light activity and I don't ever count excersice during the week.. except on days like today where I'm going to a full blown house cleaning that will probably take minimum 4 hours of running up and down the stairs all day long and cleaning with alot of effort. . So in an attempt to log in some kind of excersice I log in 2hrs of moderate effort cleaning even though I know I will do more than that.
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I see at least 1200 there minimum.
peanut butter has 90 calories a tbsp.
Average banana 100 calories, my smoothie has almost 500 calories in it.
bowl of fruit could be as high as 500,
granola bar about 100, salad wow 250, chicken maybe 200 depends on how it's cooked and if it has skin and if it's white or dark meat. crackers 100+
if after you have weighed and logged accurately and are sure you are eating too little add in calorie dense foods like avocados or high fat milk, cream or heck ice cream beer pizza...
The peanut butter I use in my shake is peanut butter powder it takes 3 tbsp and is 70 Cal I use half a banana and herbalife protein powder.
My bowl of fruit has half a cup of strawberries, half a cup of pineapple a mandarin and half a cup of low fat vanilla yogurt to dip the fruits.
The crackers and granola bar are both 100 calories. 0 -
robs_ready wrote: »Mvp has a way of miscalculating things a lot, based on your list I am calling major Bluff on 900 calories. You're eating at least 400 calories more
I scan everything instead of searching for it and I make sure to measure everything to try and be as accurate possible.
I feel like I'm eating 2000 calories with how full I am! At the end of the day I don't even want to finish dinner or I have to eat later to give myself time to get hungry. I just don't get it.0 -
I see you say measure, do you use a food scale or measuring cups/spoons? Measuring cups/spoons are inaccurate and if you are using them you could be underestimating your calories.0
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Thanks for everyone's advice... I dont know how much help the app will be since it never even let's me close my diary entries for the day.. I think I will continue to log with what satisfies me and just keep an eye on fiber and sugar and those kinds of things without paying much attention to the calories goal.0
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You could eat full fat yogurt and regular peanut butter.
Eat different higher calorie foods if you can't eat larger quantities. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10142490/a-list-of-calorie-dense-foods/p10 -
Well, just eat more chocolate or ice cream or nuts. Small things/high cals.
I think if you are recovering from abdominal surgery your focus should be on recovery and healing. Hang on - it's going to heal and you'll be fine.0 -
sandragemini wrote: »Thanks for everyone's advice... I dont know how much help the app will be since it never even let's me close my diary entries for the day.. I think I will continue to log with what satisfies me and just keep an eye on fiber and sugar and those kinds of things without paying much attention to the calories goal.
It is not a necessity to close your diary at the end of the day. None of your information or data that you logged gets deleted. I'm not sure how that hinders how much the app can help you.0 -
sandragemini wrote: »robs_ready wrote: »Mvp has a way of miscalculating things a lot, based on your list I am calling major Bluff on 900 calories. You're eating at least 400 calories more
I scan everything instead of searching for it and I make sure to measure everything to try and be as accurate possible.
I feel like I'm eating 2000 calories with how full I am! At the end of the day I don't even want to finish dinner or I have to eat later to give myself time to get hungry. I just don't get it.
Ok, I may of got my previous post wrong, sorry about that. Mvp calculates based on user input (although it's calculation of calories burnt is definitely off)
Anyway, sounds stupid but are you getting calories from other sources? Do you drink coffee with sugar? Or drink soda?
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sandragemini wrote: »Thanks for everyone's advice... I dont know how much help the app will be since it never even let's me close my diary entries for the day.. I think I will continue to log with what satisfies me and just keep an eye on fiber and sugar and those kinds of things without paying much attention to the calories goal.
You don't have to close your entries. It doesn't give you any benefit. That said, it sounds like your logging isn't accurate and that will keep you from getting the full benefit of MFP.0 -
robs_ready wrote: »sandragemini wrote: »robs_ready wrote: »Mvp has a way of miscalculating things a lot, based on your list I am calling major Bluff on 900 calories. You're eating at least 400 calories more
I scan everything instead of searching for it and I make sure to measure everything to try and be as accurate possible.
I feel like I'm eating 2000 calories with how full I am! At the end of the day I don't even want to finish dinner or I have to eat later to give myself time to get hungry. I just don't get it.
Ok, I may of got my previous post wrong, sorry about that. Mvp calculates based on user input (although it's calculation of calories burnt is definitely off)
Anyway, sounds stupid but are you getting calories from other sources? Do you drink coffee with sugar? Or drink soda?
I do put sugar in my coffee and I log that as well. I don't drink any sodas or juices. I drink sparkling water, all natural coconut water and water. Which I log all that as well.0 -
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*Measuring0
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You could eat full fat yogurt and regular peanut butter.
Eat different higher calorie foods if you can't eat larger quantities. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10142490/a-list-of-calorie-dense-foods/p1
But isn't it better to be below your calories then to eat all that fatty food?
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sandragemini wrote: »You could eat full fat yogurt and regular peanut butter.
Eat different higher calorie foods if you can't eat larger quantities. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10142490/a-list-of-calorie-dense-foods/p1
But isn't it better to be below your calories then to eat all that fatty food?
No, it's better to eat enough to meet your body's needs for calories (and fat). There is nothing wrong with fat.
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sandragemini wrote: »
Then You are likely NOT actually eating 900calories.0 -
You could eat full fat yogurt and regular peanut butter.
Eat different higher calorie foods if you can't eat larger quantities. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10142490/a-list-of-calorie-dense-foods/p1
This^
Regular peanut butter and full fat yogurt will get you much closer to goal. Peanut putter especially has healthy fat. Add some avocado to your salad. Dietary fat won't make you fat. Dietary fat is required for some many bodily functions....vitamin absorption for one.0 -
sandragemini wrote: »You could eat full fat yogurt and regular peanut butter.
Eat different higher calorie foods if you can't eat larger quantities. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10142490/a-list-of-calorie-dense-foods/p1
But isn't it better to be below your calories then to eat all that fatty food?
this is (one of) your fundamental misunderstanding(s). Fat is good for you, it is vital you get enough dietary fat. You need to rethink your diet, especially anything labelled Herbalife.0 -
Use a food scale and don't be afraid of fats. They are essential to your diet.
You can easily be consuming 200-500 more calories than you think if you're not using a food scale.0 -
sandragemini wrote: »
Then You are likely NOT actually eating 900calories.
This. I'd suggest starting to weigh your food and log it accurately before you add any food to your diet. I think you're eating more than you think you are. No way to know without accurate figures, though.0
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