Exactly :)

Even after I hit goal, I can never eat 2000 calories again. Not unless I work out in a gym a couple of hours a day and I simply have to face the fact that it'll never happen.

I sacrifice calories because I'm not a religious exerciser. That's my cross to bear.

Todays menu? Spinach? not a good idea!
 

In hind thought( literally) I just want to add, for those of you following, never never never eat a can of spinach before you co to work, It could be a highly explosive situation!!!Take it from me, I always learn best from experience.:eating2:

Thanks blues for miles and llv I appreciate your replies, I was starting to feel
like "a loser" no pun intended.

Honey, just do the best you can and that's all you CAN do.

Don't discount people's suggestions, though, they gave some good ones. Do your best to get those veggies and that protein. They're right in saying you need more of that stuff, they know what they're talking about. All I'm saying is some days it's hard to get what's recommended and all you can do is TRY.

I try mixing and spreading things out and adding things in. Like for breakfast I'm getting some fiber with old fashioned oats and the goodness of berries, I've got 1/4 cup of blueberries on my oats. Also drinking some fat-free milk. That's protein and calcium. All in one breakfast.

Just sorta toss things together. Like if you're having a salad or even a sandwich, toss in a small handful of shredded carrot to give it a nutrition boost. There's all kinds of 'little' things you can do to up your nutrients.

I don't think that it is easy to get in all of the fruits and veggies, fiber, and other things that we need each day...but it can be done if you make smarter choices over time.

When people look at the food pyramid, and see the recommended 6-11 servings of starch each day-look at the lower number. They are recommending this level for children up to women up to big burly men. Women should probably be aiming more for the 6...while the big men can do the 11 no problem. Also, there are different calorie levels in different items...you can eat a slice of light whole grain bread for 40-50 calories, or a slice of refined regular bread for 70-110 calories. Each is a serving, but if you are choosing the higher calorie option, it is going to be harder to get in your 6 recommended servings without going over your calorie budget.

I think it really depends a lot on your calorie level as well. I think 6 servings of grain is not hard to do if you are on a maintenance calorie level of 1800-2000 calories-but if you are on a very strict 1200...maybe 5, one less serving, is more feasable for you.

The same goes for fruits and veggies-having trouble getting 5 in-then strive for 4-but I don't think someone who is on a 1200 calorie diet should only be getting 1-2 servings of fruit/veggies in a day. It isn't as healthy.

When I was on 1200-1400 calories a day (I am currently pregnant, so I am eating at about 2000 a day-and still exercising and watching my diet.) I got in 4-5 servings a day easily. You can have a 100 calorie banana or a box of raisins for 130 caloires (higher calorie fruits) for a serving, or you can have a cup of strawberries for only 45 calories, or a clementine for about 35 calories.

All fruits and veggies are healthy and should be eaten, but it helps to vary them, since they are also have a large variance in calories.

I don't think you have to eat all fruits and veggies during the day to get in 5 servings on a low calorie diet. But-you do have to limit treat foods (100 calorie packs, low cal puddings, flavored coffee creamers, etc.) to do so.

I fully advocate having a treat food each day if it helps you from feeling deprived...but I am saying that for the optimum health, it should be limited to once a day. If you have a couple Fig Newtons for a snack, a glass of wine at dinner, and a 100 calorie pack as an evening snack-on a 1200 calorie diet you just consumed 1/4 of your daily calorie intake in junk.

Think of it as a percentage. If you are on a 1200 calorie diet, limit treats each day to 10% or 120 calories (equivalent to one light beer or 1/2c. serving of light ice cream)...1500 calorie diet would be about 150 calories, and so forth. It is an easy guideline to follow to achieve balance.

I agree with Aphil in that I think calorie-wise it is very possible to get all that in. I just think it takes time to start eating healthy. I'm not going to go from what I eat now to nothing but chicken, whole grain everything, and veggies in a day. I just wouldn't stick with it if I had to eat like that tomorrow. Instead I work on things a little bit at a time until they become second nature. Protein was my last accomplishment, and veggies will be my next.