CLUELESS... am I eating right or not?

It sounds like you're on the right track with regard to eating "cleaner" but skimming through your diary for a few days it looks like you are coming in WAY TOO LOW on calories. Your body may be going into starvation mode. How did you come up with the 1587 a day goal? If you used the BMR and activity levels through MFP you should really try to eat that amount. The days you're coming in so low could be doing more damage than good.

I can't speak too much on weight loss personally but I think I have pretty good handle on eating healthy.

For me personally it's meat and veggies, nuts and seeds, fruit, and some dairy. I limit processed food and added sugars as much as possible. You are welcome to take a look at my diary, just keep in mind my current goals are gaining muscle mass. And keep in mind Easter and the following days have been out of the ordinary with the sweets and dang Cadbury eggs, lol.

Plenty of others will have good advice as well...

Good luck and take care!

You do seem to be eating way too little. Aren't you hungry? Your body needs those 1200 calories to function. I know it's hard to eat more calories sometimes, but try to stay close to your goal. You will feel better and have more energy. You are also supposed to eat the calories you burn when you exercise. Don't think about this as a diet, but a way of life. It's not a race and the more you deprive yourself, the more likely you will quit the program and rebound.

I cannot comment on whether your calorie goal is set high enough (MFP can be a little low), but assuming you have set to 1lb a week weight loss and that the goal is correct - you should be eating as near as possible to this goal (within 100 plus or minus) - red does not always mean bad and green does not always mean good. Eating as little as you are you are not getting enough nutrients and you are not setting yourself up for success (slower metabolism = gain weight when you eat more).

Hey, your eating seems pretty good..again though as everyone else is saying your eating veryy little..i would eat just about the amount of calories your directed. If you dont eat then your body goes into starvation mode and it hangs onto any bit of fat that it can cause its doesnt know when its gonna eat next. You can be hungry sometimes so that your stomach gets smaller and you dont eat as much, but your best off eating a bunch of small meals throughout the day so that you dont over eat but you dont store fat. I would eat just about up to your calories, maybe a little over and then burn some off with excersize! But overall your food choices arent bad! lots of yogurts and fruits!

~ I would definitely add more protein calories ... look towards " one ingredient " foods ... Nuts, Grains, Seeds, Fish, Fruits, Veggies .... add more color to your diet. You have the right mentality ... but with limited food / calories .... I am afraid this is not a " lifestyle " change that one can endure for a long period of time.

Your love affair with food can still exist ... you just need to find new healthier flings ! I also have a mad love affair with food and will continue to do so for as long as I live ! I love my Sushi, Veggies, Fruits, Nuts, Seeds, Fish, Edamamè, Hummus, Whole Grain Breads, Greek Yogurt, Granola ... ohhhhhh and the spices and herbs !!! My current love involves ... CILANTRO !

If somebody told me just two years ago I would crave " veggies " ... I would have laughed in their face as I munched on pizza and downed a mountain dew ! It's amazing how your body changes as you fuel it accordingly ... it's so true that you feel as good as you eat ... I have never felt better in my life !

Do some research on nutrition ... read some diaries and get excited about trying new things ! The best surprises are the one's that come in low calories and tastes great !

And always remember ... if you don't love it ... don't eat it !!!!!

PS ... Saying good bye to soda is a huge stepping stone ... you couldn't pay me to drink one today ! Green Tea and H2O are my sources of fluid intake .... LOVE MY H2O !!! :drinker:

:flowerforyou:

You need to eat more!

EAT MOAR!!!!!!!!!!

I was browsing through your diary and I agree mostly with what other people have said about not eating too little and making sure you're not starving yourself. However, what mostly hit me was that there doesn't appear to be much in the way of fresh fruit and veg going on, a lot of the time you seem to be going for healthy option ready meals. These are fine once in a while when you're pressed for time but eating them regularly isn't a great idea as they tend to have extra salt and preservatives etc in them that can cause you to retain water.

I would recommend that you have a go at batch cooking (essentially making your own ready meals) I do this once or twice a week. When I'm cooking dinner I will cook three or four times more than I need for that night and then portion off the rest into containers and freeze them. That way I can take one to work to heat up for lunch or I can bung one in the oven after work one night when I can't be bothered cooking.

If you build your diet around fresh fruit and veg a little dairy and fresh meats and fish then you will find that you can eat much more for fewer calories. This means you won't be left hungry and craving snacky foods and you'll be taking in a much healthier diet.

If you'd like some really quick and easy recipes or would like to chat about healthy eating I'd be happy for you to add me as a friend and contact me any time

Are we twins? 38 and with a love for Chipotle? LOL....your not eating enough!

Wow, you are not eating nearly enough, you need more fibre, protein, fat, etc. Try sticking to the caloric intake that MFP suggests, and when you exercise eat those cals back. MFP is set up so you will lose your weekly goal amount of weight by eating 100% of your caloires.

OK... for those that have been at this awhile... I need your help. I am almost 40 and have been COMPLETELY in love with food my entire life...my joke is I tell everyone that I simply have more taste buds than the average person. For 5 weeks, I have broken up with that love affair and have carefully documented everything I ate...problem is.. I dont know if I am eating right or not. I have drastically cut my portions, cut out all sodas ( miss you Dr Pepper), cut out all processed bread, and drink tons of water. When you have a moment...please check out my food diary and give advise. Thanks!

if you've lost 13lbs in 5 weeks your doing incredible

Eat more - I know people think if you are on a "diet" you have to eat as little as possible - I did that once, and it took me 18 months to lose 10 kgs. It all came back, with interest. Since New Years I have been using MFP and learning lots as I went, and I am so proud to say I have lost over 13 kgs (30 lbs) in 100 days. Have a look at my diary and see what I eat - I eat LOADS and still sometimes don't get to a minimum of 1200 calories.

Things I found help:
* Water - try and drink your 8 cups of water - be it in tea / coffee / water - don't drink soda / juices / sugary drinks.
* Plan your day - fill in what you think you will eat, and then you can see if you need to eat more / less, change things around, make different choices.
* Read labels on everything, including the nutrition on the MFP database - it can be wrong.
* Natural almonds - great for snacks
* Eat "clean" as possible - fresh / unprocessed or minimal processing
* This is for the rest of your life, it is not going to happen overnight

Log in every day to MFP, you will be motivated, focused, and learn so much,

Wow, you are not eating nearly enough, you need more fibre, protein, fat, etc. Try sticking to the caloric intake that MFP suggests, and when you exercise eat those cals back. MFP is set up so you will lose your weekly goal amount of weight by eating 100% of your caloires.

just after looking at your diary and I agree with above

I'd have to agree as well. Your food choices are fine. But too little IMHO. I'd be starving all the time.

Seems like everyone gave lots of great tips. Take it to heart, and good luck!