1200 calories and not really hungry - am I calculating wrong?
Sojo15
Posts: 87 Member
I am noticing that while it is tricky to figure out what to eat and find healthy recipes, I must admit I am not really hungry on 1200 calories. I am wondering if I am eating more calories than I think. I just feel that the craving for baked goods, sandwiches etc is not hunger. It is a psychological need for those kinds of foods.
I wonder if I should aim for 1000 calories instead, so I have a margin of error.
Where do people get all their calorie info? I think the ones you search on might be wrong.
I wonder if I should aim for 1000 calories instead, so I have a margin of error.
Where do people get all their calorie info? I think the ones you search on might be wrong.
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Replies
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Which calorie info, do you mean daily calorie goal or calories of the things you're eating? For the latter, you REALLY have to double check the entry you pick with either nutrition label info or the USDA database. Or you could make your own for your own use. You should not be going under 1200 though.7
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Some database entries are wrong, and that could be part of the problem. When possible, I use the app's barcode scanner, and then double check that result against the food's package.
If you aren't weighing all of the food that can be weighed, then odds are you're eating more calories than you think you are. This is extremely common.
You should not be intentionally eating 1000 calories per day. 1200 is the minimum recommended for women.
If all your measuring and tracking is correct and you're still under your calorie goal, you can easily increase calories by adding a little more oil during cooking.
Also, peanut butter.6 -
Well, if you make your diary PUBLIC then people can give you feedback.3
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Weigh your food for better accuracy. it is not recommended to go under 1200 calories per day.
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Do you not log your food on this site ? because that way you'd know how many calories you were eating.3
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No you shouldn't aim for 1,000 calories 1,200 is the lowest you should go. And honestly 1200 calories isn't even the best oftentimes as well. What's your current weight and height?6
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It isn't tricky to figure out what to eat and you don't have to find healthy recipes. You can eat what you want, but to lose weight, you have to eat less, but consistently, for real, and for a long time.
If you aren't losing weight, you can be sure you're eating more than 1200 calories.
Hunger is not the best gauge on whether you're eating appropriately.
You have to check nutritional info with food label or manufacturer's website or USDA. Then you have to weigh the food, correctly, and log the amount you're actually eating.
Makes me wonder what you've been doing since you started here in September 2015?7 -
given your stats you should NOT be aiming for 1000 cals. and 1200 is unnecessary as well.1
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In your other thread you discussed the expectation to plateau. You also have an event beginning of May.
You are currently losing weight and because you are not really hungry you want to start feeling hungry to lose weight? Or its it to push your weight loss faster for this event you have in a few months?
You logic around losing weight is off. Why would you consider dropping further? You are already at the lowest calorie intake you should ever consider doing if you wish to be healthy in the process and 1000 calories dips into the very low calorie diet. Sometimes we convince ourselves that we can tip the scales by making things more aggressive because we feel just fine and satisfied on eating such low calories. Eating too little only brings about side effects eventually, you may feel fine now 6ish weeks in but be careful what you are doing.
If you want to know if you are eating proper amounts, use a food scale, and use accurate entries, this is all you need. Its your choice to cut foods out and really this has no bearing on your weight loss, the overall number of calories you consume daily does.
Lastly, I think the 1200 is too low for your stats already even considering going below that is only going to exacerbate this plateau concern you have.10 -
I registered in 2015 but did not start using MFP until now. I have been logging every day since late December and lost ca 8.6 lbs. I am 5'5" and down to 146.4 lbs. I am on a 38-day streak. My food diary is open to my friends, but yes, maybe I should make it public, what's the harm? I will change the setting if you want to look.
I need to be more vigilant in weighing and looking up food. I cook all of my food, and do not use the phone but I will check USDA. To be truthful I often eat 1300 rather than 1200, it is hard to curb the cravings. My point is that I am not really hungry when I eat those last meals. The nutritious food I am making satisfies my hunger. I believe in listening to your body, so I am interested in this.
I do take your advice seriously and I might think too much about this. It is just the first healthy decision I made in years, and I am so longing for this change. I have felt uncomfortable in my body for some time.
But yes, I am aware that my thinking around this is not unproblematic.0 -
I registered in 2015 but did not start using MFP until now. I have been logging every day since late December and lost ca 8.6 lbs. I am 5'5" and down to 146.4 lbs. I am on a 38-day streak. My food diary is open to my friends, but yes, maybe I should make it public, what's the harm? I will change the setting if you want to look.
I need to be more vigilant in weighing and looking up food. I cook all of my food, and do not use the phone but I will check USDA. To be truthful I often eat 1300 rather than 1200, it is hard to curb the cravings. My point is that I am not really hungry when I eat those last meals. The nutritious food I am making satisfies my hunger. I believe in listening to your body, so I am interested in this.
I do take your advice seriously and I might think too much about this. It is just the first healthy decision I made in years, and I am so longing for this change. I have felt uncomfortable in my body for some time.
But yes, I am aware that my thinking around this is not unproblematic.
there's a lot of cups and servings and weights in both oz and grams which suggests you aren't weighing your food. so you're eating more than the 1200 or 1300 you claim.
you're losing weight at a reasonable rate i really don't see why you think you need to eat less?6 -
I registered in 2015 but did not start using MFP until now. I have been logging every day since late December and lost ca 8.6 lbs. I am 5'5" and down to 146.4 lbs. I am on a 38-day streak. My food diary is open to my friends, but yes, maybe I should make it public, what's the harm? I will change the setting if you want to look.
I need to be more vigilant in weighing and looking up food. I cook all of my food, and do not use the phone but I will check USDA. To be truthful I often eat 1300 rather than 1200, it is hard to curb the cravings. My point is that I am not really hungry when I eat those last meals. The nutritious food I am making satisfies my hunger. I believe in listening to your body, so I am interested in this.
I do take your advice seriously and I might think too much about this. It is just the first healthy decision I made in years, and I am so longing for this change. I have felt uncomfortable in my body for some time.
But yes, I am aware that my thinking around this is not unproblematic.
Peaked at your diary. If you want to get closer to accuracy use a food scale, it will become more important as you get closer to goal. Your 'diet' can be and should be varied. Those foods you crave or foods you miss eating can be added to your daily intake if you choose.
But you are successfully losing weight currently doing your method though, and while you are mostly likely eating more than you think, those that can eat more to lose weight wins.
Your overthinking and diligence to this eating only healthy foods can lead to disordered thinking and this in itself is not healthy. Losing weight and doing it comfortably and in a healthy manner is what leads to success and moving into maintenance should be something will want to be thinking about as well (about the last 10-15 pounds).4 -
Hi I have been reading all posts in here with interest so thank you everyone for posting. Apullum could you please help with regards the barcode scanner! I can't seem to find it on my phone app! lol x0
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I registered in 2015 but did not start using MFP until now. I have been logging every day since late December and lost ca 8.6 lbs. I am 5'5" and down to 146.4 lbs. I am on a 38-day streak. My food diary is open to my friends, but yes, maybe I should make it public, what's the harm? I will change the setting if you want to look.
I need to be more vigilant in weighing and looking up food. I cook all of my food, and do not use the phone but I will check USDA. To be truthful I often eat 1300 rather than 1200, it is hard to curb the cravings. My point is that I am not really hungry when I eat those last meals. The nutritious food I am making satisfies my hunger. I believe in listening to your body, so I am interested in this.
I do take your advice seriously and I might think too much about this. It is just the first healthy decision I made in years, and I am so longing for this change. I have felt uncomfortable in my body for some time.
But yes, I am aware that my thinking around this is not unproblematic.
Peaked at your diary. If you want to get closer to accuracy use a food scale, it will become more important as you get closer to goal. Your 'diet' can be and should be varied. Those foods you crave or foods you miss eating can be added to your daily intake if you choose.
But you are successfully losing weight currently doing your method though, and while you are mostly likely eating more than you think, those that can eat more to lose weight wins.
Your overthinking and diligence to this eating only healthy foods can lead to disordered thinking and this in itself is not healthy. Losing weight and doing it comfortably and in a healthy manner is what leads to success and moving into maintenance should be something will want to be thinking about as well (about the last 10-15 pounds).
Thank you for looking. I am using a scale, not just everything. Should I weigh ingredients in a recipe too? Wow that is detailed. I will take your advice to heart. I have about 22 lbs to go, so will check out maintenance.0 -
I registered in 2015 but did not start using MFP until now. I have been logging every day since late December and lost ca 8.6 lbs. I am 5'5" and down to 146.4 lbs. I am on a 38-day streak. My food diary is open to my friends, but yes, maybe I should make it public, what's the harm? I will change the setting if you want to look.
I need to be more vigilant in weighing and looking up food. I cook all of my food, and do not use the phone but I will check USDA. To be truthful I often eat 1300 rather than 1200, it is hard to curb the cravings. My point is that I am not really hungry when I eat those last meals. The nutritious food I am making satisfies my hunger. I believe in listening to your body, so I am interested in this.
I do take your advice seriously and I might think too much about this. It is just the first healthy decision I made in years, and I am so longing for this change. I have felt uncomfortable in my body for some time.
But yes, I am aware that my thinking around this is not unproblematic.
Peaked at your diary. If you want to get closer to accuracy use a food scale, it will become more important as you get closer to goal. Your 'diet' can be and should be varied. Those foods you crave or foods you miss eating can be added to your daily intake if you choose.
But you are successfully losing weight currently doing your method though, and while you are mostly likely eating more than you think, those that can eat more to lose weight wins.
Your overthinking and diligence to this eating only healthy foods can lead to disordered thinking and this in itself is not healthy. Losing weight and doing it comfortably and in a healthy manner is what leads to success and moving into maintenance should be something will want to be thinking about as well (about the last 10-15 pounds).
Thank you for looking. I am using a scale, not just everything. Should I weigh ingredients in a recipe too? Wow that is detailed. I will take your advice to heart. I have about 22 lbs to go, so will check out maintenance.
your goal is to be 124lbs at 5ft7?3 -
TavistockToad wrote: »I registered in 2015 but did not start using MFP until now. I have been logging every day since late December and lost ca 8.6 lbs. I am 5'5" and down to 146.4 lbs. I am on a 38-day streak. My food diary is open to my friends, but yes, maybe I should make it public, what's the harm? I will change the setting if you want to look.
I need to be more vigilant in weighing and looking up food. I cook all of my food, and do not use the phone but I will check USDA. To be truthful I often eat 1300 rather than 1200, it is hard to curb the cravings. My point is that I am not really hungry when I eat those last meals. The nutritious food I am making satisfies my hunger. I believe in listening to your body, so I am interested in this.
I do take your advice seriously and I might think too much about this. It is just the first healthy decision I made in years, and I am so longing for this change. I have felt uncomfortable in my body for some time.
But yes, I am aware that my thinking around this is not unproblematic.
Peaked at your diary. If you want to get closer to accuracy use a food scale, it will become more important as you get closer to goal. Your 'diet' can be and should be varied. Those foods you crave or foods you miss eating can be added to your daily intake if you choose.
But you are successfully losing weight currently doing your method though, and while you are mostly likely eating more than you think, those that can eat more to lose weight wins.
Your overthinking and diligence to this eating only healthy foods can lead to disordered thinking and this in itself is not healthy. Losing weight and doing it comfortably and in a healthy manner is what leads to success and moving into maintenance should be something will want to be thinking about as well (about the last 10-15 pounds).
Thank you for looking. I am using a scale, not just everything. Should I weigh ingredients in a recipe too? Wow that is detailed. I will take your advice to heart. I have about 22 lbs to go, so will check out maintenance.
your goal is to be 124lbs at 5ft7?
My goal is 125 lbs at 5ft5. I started at 155, so 30 lbs.0 -
Tea_A_Holic wrote: »Hi I have been reading all posts in here with interest so thank you everyone for posting. Apullum could you please help with regards the barcode scanner! I can't seem to find it on my phone app! lol x
@Tea_A_Holic if you want to tag someone you need to put @ before their name.
Barcode scanner option (little barcode icon) is in the top right corner under search for food when you tap add food
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I'm also doing 1200 and have gotten used to not feeling so hungry. Partially because I drink so much water & tea (no cream, no sugar) and lately because I'm on a water pill that kills my appetite. I've had days where I'd be severely under my goal and had absolutely no desire to eat. Never thought about adjusting my goal downward- I think 1200 is the limit anyways (or it is for me at least). Just stick with 1200 and eat as you've been doing. Hey, the good thing is that at least you're not alone
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Just looked at your diary and you could use some tightening up on your logging. Check out this post, it's very informative.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10621050/how-to-use-the-usda-food-database-mfp-food-database-for-accurate-logging/p11 -
I'm sure that everyone's already mentioned this, but I'm just going to reiterate that you really are using entries that are to generic. Your "apples with peanut butter" entry is only 150 calories. A tablespoon of PB is usually around 190-200, so an apple with PB could be more than double what you've entered, depending how much PB you used and how big your apple was.
Same with avocados - a medium avocado could be VERY different in terms of calories, depending on what you think a medium avocado is. I'm from Texas, so we have some HONKING big avocados.
Weigh EVERYTHING except liquid (those can be measured with measuring cups). That INCLUDES recipe ingredients.
My guess is that you're overeating by as much as 30%-40%. So you might still lose, but much more slowly than on 1,200 calories.6 -
I'm sure that everyone's already mentioned this, but I'm just going to reiterate that you really are using entries that are to generic. Your "apples with peanut butter" entry is only 150 calories. A tablespoon of PB is usually around 190-200, so an apple with PB could be more than double what you've entered, depending how much PB you used and how big your apple was.
Same with avocados - a medium avocado could be VERY different in terms of calories, depending on what you think a medium avocado is. I'm from Texas, so we have some HONKING big avocados.
Weigh EVERYTHING except liquid (those can be measured with measuring cups). That INCLUDES recipe ingredients.
My guess is that you're overeating by as much as 30%-40%. So you might still lose, but much more slowly than on 1,200 calories.
Ok, I will try to tighten it up then! It will be interesting.0 -
TavistockToad wrote: »I registered in 2015 but did not start using MFP until now. I have been logging every day since late December and lost ca 8.6 lbs. I am 5'5" and down to 146.4 lbs. I am on a 38-day streak. My food diary is open to my friends, but yes, maybe I should make it public, what's the harm? I will change the setting if you want to look.
I need to be more vigilant in weighing and looking up food. I cook all of my food, and do not use the phone but I will check USDA. To be truthful I often eat 1300 rather than 1200, it is hard to curb the cravings. My point is that I am not really hungry when I eat those last meals. The nutritious food I am making satisfies my hunger. I believe in listening to your body, so I am interested in this.
I do take your advice seriously and I might think too much about this. It is just the first healthy decision I made in years, and I am so longing for this change. I have felt uncomfortable in my body for some time.
But yes, I am aware that my thinking around this is not unproblematic.
Peaked at your diary. If you want to get closer to accuracy use a food scale, it will become more important as you get closer to goal. Your 'diet' can be and should be varied. Those foods you crave or foods you miss eating can be added to your daily intake if you choose.
But you are successfully losing weight currently doing your method though, and while you are mostly likely eating more than you think, those that can eat more to lose weight wins.
Your overthinking and diligence to this eating only healthy foods can lead to disordered thinking and this in itself is not healthy. Losing weight and doing it comfortably and in a healthy manner is what leads to success and moving into maintenance should be something will want to be thinking about as well (about the last 10-15 pounds).
Thank you for looking. I am using a scale, not just everything. Should I weigh ingredients in a recipe too? Wow that is detailed. I will take your advice to heart. I have about 22 lbs to go, so will check out maintenance.
your goal is to be 124lbs at 5ft7?
My goal is 125 lbs at 5ft5. I started at 155, so 30 lbs.
In a previous thread you said you were 5ft 7?1 -
your goal is to be 124lbs at 5ft7? [/quote]
My goal is 125 lbs at 5ft5. I started at 155, so 30 lbs.[/quote]
In a previous thread you said you were 5ft 7? [/quote]
I wish! Maybe a typo? 5ft7 and 125 lbs is still ok though. I would love to get to 120lbs.
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hmm... if I am overeating 40% I am at 1680, which is my maintenance. How could I then have lost close to 9 lbs in 6 weeks? Hmm. I will try to weigh it all, but wow that is very tedious.1
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I also lost several inches in waist and hips.0
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It seems like based on your current height and weight, and informing us you lost almost 9 pounds since December you're actually losing weight. I would say continue eating the calories you are eating no need to reduce your calories more. You've been losing about 0.5 pounds a week which is a healthy rate of loss. You're fine this is okay.1
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I am noticing that while it is tricky to figure out what to eat and find healthy recipes, I must admit I am not really hungry on 1200 calories. I am wondering if I am eating more calories than I think. I just feel that the craving for baked goods, sandwiches etc is not hunger. It is a psychological need for those kinds of foods.
I wonder if I should aim for 1000 calories instead, so I have a margin of error.
Where do people get all their calorie info? I think the ones you search on might be wrong.
I'm doing 1230 a day. I'm not hungry after a month in an cannot believe it. It's a lot of food you can squeeze in if u eat low calorie, fresh food meals. I was really spruced an some days I don't reach my limit. You probably are correct an I really would not advise going to 1000 cals. I don't know who much I've lost I weigh tomorrow. I do know that I've gone down a size. So go by how u feel an if ur sizes are dropping. Good luck.0 -
@tinkerbellang83tinkerbellang83 Thank you for all of your advice, including the use of @! I had a peek at the app & found the barcode just as you said, thank you once again X0
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