Net calories for the day too low - late snack or not?
So I had a big workout today (894 calories burned according to my HRM) and had a pretty light day of eating. I hadn't entered in my foods/meals until I sat down a little bit ago, so while I knew it wasn't a crazy day eating, I didn't think I was way under. After all was said and done, I only consumed 1461 calories out of my suggested 1823 calories (according to a 2lb/week loss plan on livestrong.com) so once my calories burned were factored in, my netted calories are just over 500. Uh, way low! Now it is 10pm, and I'm struggling on if I eat something when I'm not even hungry just because the calorie plan says I should, or what...
Oh, and that is AFTER I had 1/2 a pumpkin pie blizzard....what the heck?!
When I have a day like that I usually try to get some liquid calories in, and enjoy a late night yogurt, glass of milk, some low-fat pudding, etc. Just to bump it up a couple hundred calories, but also so it's not too heavy late at night. Usually works for me! I find that eating according to my calories means a lot of the time I eat when I'm not hungry.
If you are hungry or if you have gone 3 hrs without eating, eat a little snack. If not, one day of doing this is not going to kill you. Especially not with only 400 calories. In fact, it is good to allow your caloric intake to fluctuate a bit. It helps keep your metabolism from plateauing.
If you are hungry or if you have gone 3 hrs without eating, eat a little snack. If not, one day of doing this is not going to kill you. Especially not with only 400 calories. In fact, it is good to allow your caloric intake to fluctuate a bit. It helps keep your metabolism from plateauing.
See, this is where I'm confused - its 1400 out of 1800 calories prior to factoring in the workout - but only 500 net calories after the calories burned are factored in. Do other people not factor in calories burned?
I don't factor in calories burned, usually. I might add in an extra hundred calories after a hard workout if I end up super hungry, but that's it.
As far as eating late, that it makes you gain is a total myth. Have something light if your worried, like fruit or yogurt. I don't think one low day will derail you're whole diet. You just might be really hungry when you wake up.
I too never, ever, ever figure in calories burned. I'm sorry, but I find all of those calculators and the such highly overestimate.
Besides, your net calories don't matter. It's your calories taken in. That's what counts most.
If you've eaten 1400 calories loaded with nutrients and the such, that doesn't get negated because you exercised.
My calories consumed does not change because I've exercised harder or moved around more. It doesn't need to. Any calories burned is a bonus.
1400 + calories of nutritious foods is more than enough to not only survive on, but thrive on. You're not talking about taking in 800 calories, but 1400+. Big difference. You're looking to create a calorie deficit, the more the merrier, provided you are getting enough nutrition. so if your calories are good ones, there is nothing to be concerned with. And don't forget, you've got stored fat to use for energy as well. If I were not hungry, I wouldn't add in a thing. That's a scary road to go down if you ask me.
Last edited by rockinrobin; 10-12-2010 at 04:23 PM.
Reason: typo
I agree with Robin. I usually only eat 1200 to 1300. I do not factor in calories burned, and if I ate what livestrong calls a "maintenance level" I would gain.
If you have, say, a 1500 calorie plan, you only eat 1300 and you are NOT hungry, you are not obliged to eat more. If you have calories left and you're really hungry then go ahead and eat.
Net calories for the day too low - late snack or not?
