What does your *perfect* day of calorie counting look like? This includes the quality and quantity of healthy foods....

It doesn't have to be anything you've actually attained - just something you work towards eventually attaining.

Mine:

B:Oatmeal with banana and apple (ca. 350)

L:Green Salad (rucola, spinach, romaine) with olives, 1/2 avocado, Seitan, dressing (ca. 500)

D:Big bowl of warm brown rice, adzuki beans, tomato, fresh shredded parmesan, and side of broccoli or squash (ca. 550)

That would leave me at a perfect and healthy 1400 calories. This is ideal because, in real life, I have to count up the little chocolate squares or extra bites of cheese, or agave in my coffee - which always puts me at least at 1600, if not 1700!

I'm semi-satisfied with the 16-1700. But would love to simply eat perfectly - perfect nutrients, etc. everyday!

So what is your perfect day of eating???

Breakfast:
Baggie of nuts (300)

Lunch:
Veggie sausage omelette w/mushrooms, spinach, slice of cheese, with an apple on the side. (400)

Snack: Cauliflower w/2 tbsp hummus (70)

Dinner: Baked, seasoned salmon with oven-roasted veggies, sauteed spinach (300)

Snack: Coffee drink (100)

Total: ~1200

That does look like a good day - super healthy amount of good fats, greens, and protein.

Do you achieve the perfect day often, or do you still have a few small bites holding you back?

My perfect day of calorie counting doesn't involve specific meals but, rather, types of meals. So, if I manage to eat healthy grains, veggies, lean proteins, and good fat, and if I'm really satisfied (mentally, physically, and in terms of taste) and if my calories fall around 1500-1700 (for losing mode), then I feel successful.

A lousy calorie counting day, by contrast, is when I plan to eat something new, try it, am dissatisfied, but have used up a good chunk of my calories. Then, I'm left looking for more food. I usually cave, and that leaves me with very few calories left. So, I'm usually left hungry and disgruntled because I wasted my calories.

I have succeeded a good number of times sticking to a day that is at least -similar- to this one. Usually I'll throw in a yogurt or a cheese stick here and there if I feel extra hungry, or just want a snack. I intentionally made my "perfect day" low carb as well since that's the easiest way for me to control cravings!

Sometimes I overdo it on the "convenience" foods. I may still be well within my calorie range and not starving, but I know I could've eaten "better." A good CC day for me consists of fresh foods that I made myself. Unfortunately, reality just doesn't always allow that