Okay! So I have stuck with counting calories for almost a week now, (about 5 days) and have already lost around 3 1/2 to 4 pounds! I am sure this is mostly water weight but im excited none the less. I am taking in about 1400-1500 calories a day. I was wondering if that is too low? I did a few calculators that said for high fat loss for low level energy I should take in 1450 calories. I am losing at a nice rate, but am I taking in too little?

I also have been eating about 3 or 4 of those 100 calorie snack packs a day and I just read that they are "empty calories. So is that bad for me to do? I haven't been very active. I was thinking of doing like 30 mins of fast paced walking per day on my treadmill. Would I need to increase my calories and would that even be enough activity to make a difference?

I'm making some roasted corn now.. I may go a little over but I'm hungry! Evenings are killer for me. I don't understand why as soon as evening rolls around I get super hungry.

Anyway, just wanted some input

I think 1400-1500 calories a day is a perfectly reasonable limit. But the 4 calorie packs a day--I would say you could spend those 400 calories on something more nutritious. Fruit, string cheese, low fat yogurt, eggs, granola, nuts, olives -- these are all examples of foods you can eat in 100 calorie quantities, get more nutrients, and probably feel more satisfied than with the 100 calorie packs.

I agree with jellydisney. I am perfectly comfortable with 1400-1500 calories and have been at this for over one year.

But I probably eat those 100 calorie snack packs much less often - okay almost never except for the popcorn which I might have 1 -2x per month at most and that is just for portion control.

If you are getting almost 1/3 of your calories from snack packs then it indicates that you may not be making the best food choices. This would be the reason for you getting hungry at night. The day is catching up with you. How much fiber are you getting? Also, are you drinking enough water. Thirst is often mistaken for hunger.

Lori

I agree with the rest, and what they've said. Personally, those 100 calorie packs IMO add up and you could get a bunch of fruit and veggies in replacement of those and probably feel fuller for longer, plus they're more nutritionally packed then those snacks are. I used to eat them, but stopped when I realized I could add more healthy things into my diet.

As for calories, I think you're at a great number. I only eat 1200-1300 a day (sounds low but it works for me and I feel full..but I pick what I eat very carefully and I only need small portions to feel full). I usually do an hour on the treadmill and I just got a new exercise bike which I'll be adding 30 minutes on to that.

Rikku - Those little snack packs add up. Another 300 cals used more efficently would help you out at night. The low sugar instant oatmeals are only 120 cals. For an extra 20 calories you will feel much fuller. I also premake veggies so I can microwave a snack quickly. 100 calories of veggies is a lot. Have you tried sugar-free jello and fat free coolwhip? 30 calories. (My new I gotta have something sweet snack).

Just some suggestions - hope they help. I think there are some old post about people's favorite low cals snacks. I printed out the last one because there were such great idea.

Think of this in a different way:

~100 Calorie Packs are extremely small portions of JUNK food. They are supposed to be treats.

~If you are eating 1500 calories a day, and you eat 4 100 Calorie Packs, then 27% of your daily calories is junk food. That is almost 1/3 of your daily intake! If you are eating 1400 calories a day, then that is 29% of your daily calories in junk food!

When you count calories, nothing is forbidden. However, treats should be had in moderation...not 1/3 of your diet.

A good treat limit is about 10% of your calorie intake. If you are on 1500 calories a day, then 10% of that is 150 calories. If you are on 1200 calories, then 10% of that is 120 calories. This is a good limit to think about if you must have a small treat daily.

Exactly what I was going to point out.

It's def a reason why you're getting hungry at night.

If you sub real food - an apple (60 cals) or a low fat yogurt (65 cals) or anything else for a couple of those snack packs during the day, then you have freed up some calories to have a little more protein with dinner or a snack after dinner that will help with the evening-time munchies.

400 cals can be put to MUCH better use than a tiny portion of chips or oreos!

Actually, can you post what might be an average day's worth of food for you? It would help to see what all you're eating on a regular basis to give you some really solid advice!


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First of all thank you everyone for your advice. It really helps to get other peoples input especially since I know so little about this stuff.

I'll go ahead and give you yesterdays meals.

I wake up late so at about 11 or 12 so I usually eat 2 meals a day and 2 snacks.

Brunch: 2 pieces of toast with tuna on top. The tuna has mayo. I usually have a piece of fruit or a kellogs special K bar with it. About 5-600 calories.

Snack is usually.. you guessed it one or 2 of the snack packs. 200 cals

Dinner: A bit of rice with pita bread and ham with sweet peppers. 400 cals

Snack: more snack packs!! 200 cals

I should also point out that I have about 2-3 cups of coffee a day. Is that ok?

Ahah! she says.

2 meals a day is an issue - doesn't matter how early or late you get up .. you need to spread your food out a bit better. Cause I'm assuming since you get up later, you go to bed later as well, right? And you're front loading with a bunch of cals in the morning and then nothing of substance in the evening, which leads to the evening munchies.

I can't say anything about coffee, cause I have a large one in the morning (with cream, thankyouverymuch) and then another large black in the afternoon. I like my coffee and don't plan to give it up!

What I would do is this:

Breakfast/Brunch: drop your cals a little here. You can do 1 slice of whole grain toast with tuna, and light mayo, and a piece of fruit (maybe an orange). And coffee, of course. 300 cals (if you use the whole can of tuna in water - you can use 1/2 the can and drop cals even more)

Snack: apple and a piece of low-fat string cheese. 120 cals. Or a cup of yogurt and some other kind of fruit.

Lunch type meal (even if later in the evening): Whole wheat pita stuffed with veggies and maybe some sliced chicken. Another tbsp of light mayo. 250 cals.

Snack: Handful of roasted almonds or 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds (higher in cals, but really good for you - full of protein and good fats). Handful of baby carrots, dipped in some hummus. Any of the above: 150 cals.

Dinner: 3 oz of spiral sliced ham with brown rice and a spinach salad (or steamed veggies of some kind). 400 cals.

At this point you're up to 1220 cals, give or take. You still have room for maybe some low-fat frozen yogurt as a treat. Or another piece of fruit. Or if you're a salty/crunchy snack addict like me, some hummus on a 1/2 a piece of pita (crisp it up in the oven).

Break your meals out a little more and add more veggies and fruits that will fill you up more.

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Thanks so much! Yea today I already ate 3 pieces of wheat toast with tuna and a special k bar. So im uber full, but I will definetely start eating less sugary treats and more fruits and veggies throughout the day. I go to bed at like 2 every night, so I see you're point on the snacking!

Again, thank you!

Yeah, I have the same schedule. I go to bed late and get up late. You just have to push everything back to suit that. Normal (hee) people eat breakfast at 7, lunch at noon, and dinner at 5. We night owls eat breakfast at 11, lunch at 4 p.m. and dinner at 9 p.m. And snacks in between, of course!

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