[hcred123]

I'm in college so sometimes meals dont really fit into my schedule. On Tuesday and Thursdays I have class from 11-5 so I basically wake up and eat breakfast and my next meal is dinner. On these days, I've figured out that I eat about 1000 calories. I know that I need to be getting about 1600 because i work out a lot but when should I get these calories? Should I have another meal later at night after dinner or should I just have a few small, healthy snacks? Or should I just let the calorie deficit go? Help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[mandalinn82]

I'd pack small, healthy snacks. Thing that will last in a backpack (just think what you could do with a cooler or FitNFresh type container with an icepack...):

PB and Banana Sandwich (whole wheat bread, or a low carb whole wheat wrap)
String cheese/cheese sticks and whole wheat, high fiber crackers
Fruits (oranges are particularly thick-skinned, which is good for portability, but other fruits go into a bag easily as well)
Oatmeal packets (most campuses have a coffee bar - get a cup of hot water like you'd use for tea, add to your oatmeal...they even make "Weight Control" oatmeal packets with a bit more protein, which will help you stay full longer).

Definitely do not let the calorie deficit go! Pack things that you can eat quickly and easily, either all together as a "lunch", or separately as mini-meals throughout the day.

If you want to take things that need to be chilled, these containers are awesome and make great lunch-packers...http://www.freshapproachdietstore.co..._and_fresh.php

http://www.freshapproachdietstore.co..._and_fresh.php

http://www.freshapproachdietstore.co..._and_fresh.php

[gymlee]

I would try and pack a lunch/snacks that are portable and will stay and eat them in between classes. Believe I know how that is. I just went back to school this semster so I understand. My Tuesdays are similar to yours and I have class at 11 and a break but then I have lab til 630. Yuck! I hit the gym in between and then eat my packed lunch. You definitely need to make sure you eat enough because if you don't your body will shut down and go into starvation mode and you'll stop losing weight, your body will canabilize your muscles, and you run the risk of your metabolic rate slowing down and causing things such as hypothryoidism if the deficit is prolonged. I speak from experience on this one. I kinda yo yo dieted a bit and then the summer of 05 when I was in Italy and soooo sick and not eating much at all in a day I developed hypothyroidism in the 2 months or so following my return. I just be careful about getting what your body needs.

[gymlee]

haha Manda you and I posted the same thing pretty much at the same time

[Heather]

I teach college and sometimes have meetings and classes back to back to back for 6 hours too. But I always pack a healthy snack so I can eat in between meals or meetings. Once you get in the habit, it's very easy!

Some of my favorites don't even need refrigeration:
- preweighed almonds and dried cranberries
- piece of fruit
- bag of pre cut veggies (though I don't like to leave it for 6 hours)
- bread with peanut butter and cinnamon and banana (okay, that one needs a more sturdy container)
- or even a granola bar!

[Melody2006]

Protein bars. South Beach Living bars.