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!
Could i live off chili?
JaydedMiss
Posts: 4,286 Member
First off i always tell people never to stick to one food and cut things out, Its bad and will fail in the long term. I know i could live off of this, But i want to also make sure i get my calories and nutrients in.
I am not considering this option as a "diet". I have found lately i have absolutely no appetite and half the food i buy goes bad before i manage to eat it. I have been struggling to even hit 1000 calories. I have found i really enjoy the chili i made, It freezes well in good portions.
I am wondering if for a while i were to just eat chili, So i can get my calories in atleast.
My chili has no meat as I dont eat meat , But this is whats in my chili
1 large, Onions, raw
5 clove, Garlic, raw
1 tablespoon, Oil - Olive
28 fluid ounce, Tomato products - Canned, sauce
15 fluid ounce, Petite Diced Tomatoes
0.50 tsp, Sauce, hot sauce
2 cup sliced, Bell Pepper, Red
0.06 tsp(s), Peppers, sweet, red, raw
3 tbsp, Spices, chili powder
2 tsp, ground, Spices, oregano, dried
0.12 tsp, Spices, pepper, red or cayenne
15 fluid ounce, Beans - Black, cooked
That recipe makes 7 servings, Im thinking if i bulk it up a bit and add in some more beans it may be okay? maybe try to add in a little rice to bulk up the calories to
I am not considering this option as a "diet". I have found lately i have absolutely no appetite and half the food i buy goes bad before i manage to eat it. I have been struggling to even hit 1000 calories. I have found i really enjoy the chili i made, It freezes well in good portions.
I am wondering if for a while i were to just eat chili, So i can get my calories in atleast.
My chili has no meat as I dont eat meat , But this is whats in my chili
1 large, Onions, raw
5 clove, Garlic, raw
1 tablespoon, Oil - Olive
28 fluid ounce, Tomato products - Canned, sauce
15 fluid ounce, Petite Diced Tomatoes
0.50 tsp, Sauce, hot sauce
2 cup sliced, Bell Pepper, Red
0.06 tsp(s), Peppers, sweet, red, raw
3 tbsp, Spices, chili powder
2 tsp, ground, Spices, oregano, dried
0.12 tsp, Spices, pepper, red or cayenne
15 fluid ounce, Beans - Black, cooked
That recipe makes 7 servings, Im thinking if i bulk it up a bit and add in some more beans it may be okay? maybe try to add in a little rice to bulk up the calories to
0
Replies
-
Put it in the recipe builder and see what the nutrition numbers look like. It'll tell you if you've got any serious deficits.0
-
... um, 7 servings from one can of beans?
Your chili is basically tomato soup.
I don't know why you only want to eat this or are struggling to eat more than 1000 calories, but you need to seek professional help.1 -
For what it's worth, looks like a pretty nice batch of chili. Needs chorizo in my opinion though.1
-
And cilantro.0
-
If you're struggling to eat even 1000 calories, you should talk to your doctor.
I don't know why you would want to just eat chili. And to be honest, your chili is pretty lacking IMO. It's basically tomato soup with a can of beans thrown in. And 7 servings? Are you only eating like 150g of this stuff? Because that's not alot in a serving. I'd say that's more like 3-4 servings at most.
Also, if it were me, eating chili everyday, all day would get boring fast. Very fast. I'd be sick of it after the 3rd day. I need variety. I mean, I could say I could live off of cupcakes but I'm pretty sure I'd start missing cheeseburgers, pizza, chicken and even vegetables after a few days.
Speak with a doctor regarding your appetite issues. If you want to get your calories up, eat foods that are more calorie dense. But your chili, as listed, is not calorie dense at all. If you're going to eat chili like you're thinking, you need to add alot more stuff to it and beef up your servings.1 -
one can of beans is usually 3 1/2 approx 100-calorie servings. break that 350 calories per can into 7 servings, and it's only 50 calories of beans per chili servings (or less for some beans).0
-
OP, you definitely need to see a doctor and figure out why you're having trouble eating. It could be something you can get help with medically, or you may be referred to a specialist who helps with eating disorders. I'm glad you found something you will eat, it's better than nothing and at least there is some protein and veggies. But a body needs more than that to thrive (frankly, needs more just to survive). You need carbohydrates and fats too. Try adding some oil to the chili for now to beef up calories. I'm sure adding more beans is contradicting whatever is causing you to want to eat so little, but that would be good too.
While it wasn't a polite way to say it, I agree that you need to seek some help. I have seen a friend struggle in a similar way in the past and she desperately needed help. She didn't get it until she was passing out in public and finally was diagnosed with an eating disorder. She's been seeing a doctor for two years now and is on her road to recovery. You'll get it figured out, but you need to see a doctor and take care of yourself.2 -
Of course you can live off of it but it isn't really nutritionally complete and probably hard to eat 3-4 bowls a day every single day.
You might want to add some more fat. What you have in your chili isn't much divided over 7 servings. You should probably be getting something like 30-40 g of fat a day.
You could add more oil, some cheese, sour cream, guacamole, eggs, bread and butter, tortilla chips, corn bread.
Maybe add a lot more beans, sweet potato, or spinach to bulk up the calories and nutrition of your chili instead of adding rice.
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/contest-winning-vegetarian-chili
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/72508/the-best-vegetarian-chili-in-the-world/
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/sweet_potato_black_bean_chili.html
https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=vegetarian chili&rs=typed&0=vegetarian|typed&1=chili|typed1 -
I don't think this is a good idea. It would be very hard to meet your nutritional needs from the list of ingredients you listed above.
Instead I would see a doctor right away. I would tell the doctor that you are unable to consume more then 1000 calories and see what he suggests. I would not suggest eating only chili . I would suggest getting some help asap1 -
Also, if it were me, eating chili everyday, all day would get boring fast. Very fast. I'd be sick of it after the 3rd day. I need variety. I mean, I could say I could live off of cupcakes but I'm pretty sure I'd start missing cheeseburgers, pizza, chicken and even vegetables after a few days.
@ninkyou and when i get my appetite back of course im going to eat something else. Im just asking in the meantime as i AM worried about getting my nutrients, Which some people here dont seem to understand
0 -
Op when you say you are having a hard time eating more than 1000 cals, does that mean you have physical discomfort or you just aren't hungry? How long has this been going on? What was your diet like before this? Are there any other foods that you love, like spaghetti or ice cream or something like that?
Is there something else going on in your life, causing stress, depression, anxiety?
I'm sorry you are feeling attacked but hopefully you can get help from your doctor to address the root cause.
In the meantime, there are lots of calorie dense foods you can eat, things like avocado, oils, butter, nuts... Cheese and sour cream on the chili? What about some cornbread with honey butter to go with your chili? Crackers? With butter on them (my ex used to do this). Peanut butter (sounds weird but I had a roommate in college that ate peanut butter with her chili).
Good luck.2 -
WinoGelato wrote: »Op when you say you are having a hard time eating more than 1000 cals, does that mean you have physical discomfort or you just aren't hungry? How long has this been going on? What was your diet like before this?
Is there something else going on in your life, causing stress, depression, anxiety?
In the meantime, there are lots of calorie dense foods you can eat, things like avocado, oils, butter, nuts... Cheese and sour cream on the chili? What about some cornbread with honey butter to go with your chili? Crackers? With butter on them (my ex used to do this). Peanut butter (sounds weird but I had a roommate in college that ate peanut butter with her chili).
Good luck.
When i say im having a hard time i mean i feel super full and energetic all the time. I am NOT suffering or feeling starved in any way, Even when i eat a small amount my stomach feels very full. I have more energy thn i have ever had in my life. I am not stressed. I dont know if its my body adjusting from bad foods to purely clean ones or what. I made a 2 egg omlette yesterday and i got about a quarter down with a cup of coffee and just gave up. The chili really does seem like one of the only things that i can actually finish. I even tried to eat a chocolate bar to add calories and i got a few pieces in and didn't want it.
People here are acting like im asking if its okay to live on water. I realize its not the best, Note why i posted, but i feel like theres far worse. AND i even noted the fact that i KNOW i needed to bulk it up, If people could read what i say before attacking me.
Thanks to those of you who atleast made some suggestions i can try to bulk it up
0 -
Are you on any medication that may decrease your appetite?
I ask, because I was once on a medication that completely wiped out my hunger.0 -
I take one medication at night that helps me sleep, But i have been trying to avoid it because it has the exact OPPOSITE effect lol. When i take it 30 minutes later i uncontrollably want to eat everything in my house, I never felt it really helped me sleep anyway :P Other thn that no medications for me0
-
JaydedMiss wrote: »To those being mean i literally said in the first post that OBVIOUSLY id add stuff like more beans and some rice to it. And to those saying 7 servings is so terrible, Its 2 overflowing cup servings which fills about half my bowl and fills me up even without the additions, And its actually a very chunky chili. Chili has vegetables and oils and proteins its not THAT unheard of for a question like this. Im not a complete idiot.
I was asking for help in a time when im a little unable to eat and you have been disgusting calling me a nut job. Hope your proud of yourself.
2 overflowing cups of barely any calories - 150 at most. Volume doesn't matter in this case -- there's not enough calories to endorse this as a viable plan. If that fills you up, then you are basically eating 450-500 a day, assuming you eat 3 means a day. You specifically asked if you could live off of your chili, no you cannot.
Not without major additions, which you would need to actually list with quantity before anyone says YES GO FOR IT because nobody here endorses under eating or supports possible disorderd thinking.
Lots people eat the same food over and over because that's what works for them. But that's not what you are talking about.1 -
OP, regardless, chili or no chili, if you have such little appetite that you're full on such a small amount of food, you really should talk to your doctor.
[Edited by MFP Mods]0 -
I think you already know the answer... this chilli looks fine in itself, but variety is important to get the range of nutrients you need to stay healthy.
In the short term - sure, go for it. Maybe with the addition of a bit of avocado, cheese, rice etc, does't have to be big quantities.
Longer term - clearly you need more food overall, and more variety is going to keep you healthy. If you continue to have a very low appetite, I agree that seeking medical help is a good idea.0 -
Im going to give it a week of trying to stick food in here and there and if im still having issues ill go talk to my doctor, not sure what she could really do for me though2
-
That's a good plan, OP. If your appetite doesn't let you eat at least 1200 calories, a visit to your doctor is definitely a good idea. Best of luck to you.0
-
When Mrs. had absolutely no appetite and lost a lot of weight a few years ago, a registered dietitian we visited recommended that she consume Boost drinks to get a proper assortment of nutrients. It worked for her and she started regaining to a healthier weight.
0 -
JeromeBarry1 wrote: »When Mrs. had absolutely no appetite and lost a lot of weight a few years ago, a registered dietitian we visited recommended that she consume Boost drinks to get a proper assortment of nutrients. It worked for her and she started regaining to a healthier weight.
This is a good idea. Maybe try incorporating something like this into your diet until you get it sorted out.0 -
I'm going to 9th the digestion of seeing a doctor. I have a friend who started getting full on very small quantities of food, and it turns out she has a cyst filling almost her entire abdomen, and she's going to have it surgically removed.
What you're describing doesn't seem normal or healthy.1 -
JaydedMiss wrote: »Im going to give it a week of trying to stick food in here and there and if im still having issues ill go talk to my doctor, not sure what she could really do for me though
Check to make sure don't some type of gastrointestinal or reproductive cancer or cyst?0 -
If you want to add more variety into your chilli try this:
Add red lentils (helps thicken it and adds more protein to the meal)
Add mixed beans, I use 3-4 varieties in my chilli mixes
I also add finely diced: mushrooms, carrots celery to the onion along with lots of garlic. I am veggie and don't like most veggie minces so by adding the above it makes a great mix instead of mince and adds more vitamins etc.
I don't eat a lot of tomato so instead use cooked, blended carrot and beetroot as my sauce with some stock. But the main bulk should be beans& lentils to make it more calorie heavy.
Serve it with cottage cheese (not low fat version) for extra protein and calories and baked sweet potatoes for a healthy kick of vitamin a and extra calories
Can even have avocado with it if you are low on calories/ fat that day!0 -
My chili is usually 4 cans of beans and 2 cans of diced tomatoes. And that's on top of the ground turkey, veggies, mushrooms...
More protein! And then eat on top of pasta, with sour cream on top. Mmmmmm.0 -
JaydedMiss wrote: »I take one medication at night that helps me sleep, But i have been trying to avoid it because it has the exact OPPOSITE effect lol. When i take it 30 minutes later i uncontrollably want to eat everything in my house, I never felt it really helped me sleep anyway :P Other thn that no medications for me
OP, are you suffering from depression? Depression can completely ruin your appetite and sleep. I wonder what medication you're taking to help you sleep. Drugs like trazedone and mirtazapene are sleep meds that also work on depression/anxiety. Your appetite could also increase when your not as depressed, thus feeling hungrier when you take the meds.0 -
My surgically small stomach can only handle small meals. If I wait twenty minutes I can handle more food. With determination you can hit the 1200 a day target.0
-
JaydedMiss wrote: »Also, if it were me, eating chili everyday, all day would get boring fast. Very fast. I'd be sick of it after the 3rd day. I need variety. I mean, I could say I could live off of cupcakes but I'm pretty sure I'd start missing cheeseburgers, pizza, chicken and even vegetables after a few days.
@ninkyou and when i get my appetite back of course im going to eat something else. Im just asking in the meantime as i AM worried about getting my nutrients, Which some people here dont seem to understand
Put everything is recipe builder & look at the numbers.
1 can of beans for 7 servings = low protein. AND consider that beans are not a complete protein to begin with. So off the top of my head (I haven't put this in recipe builder for you) ......steady diet of mostly this chili......is going to have a major lack of nutrients.0 -
I'm sure you could live on it. We humans are very adaptable creatures. But it's very low on protein.0
-
More beans, lentils and whatever other vegan protein sources you can add. That's what I would do for more protein and carbs. Good luck!0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 394.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.5K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 391 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 1.2K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions