MFP - so hungry!

[Lillamyy1]

I'm finding it really difficult to find low calorie yet filling foods! I'm trying to avoid most carbs and processed foods too. MFP said I should eat 1200 calories a day but I've upped it to 1400 as I'm ebf.
Stuck to the calorie intake today but was absolutely starving by evening and ended up giving in and having a slice of pizza which took me over! Haven't been able to stick to 1400 calories as seem t be constantly hungry!
Any suggestions for filling, low calorie and unprocessed food would be very appreciated!

[HelenF350]

1200 (1400) for breastfeeding sounds very low! Have you checked your BMR (basic metabolic rate or calories your body needs to function properly?). There are calculators online you can use. Regardless of how much weight you want to lose you shouldn't eat below your BMR as it can make you ill. You will obviously will need to add breastfeeding calories to this too. I made the mistake of eating below my BMR and was starving, light headed and extremely tired.

[HelenF350]

Also most guidelines I have seen recommend 500 extra calories per day for breastfeeding, maybe the 200 is also a bit low?

[Golfhotelromeofoxtrot]

I would double check how many calories you need with a doctor.

Almonds are a good filling low calorie snack.

[Lillamyy1]

According to an online calculator my bmr is 1366 and the amount of calories I burn is 1644...
I'll check with a doctor - I have an appointment next week anyway - but for the time being should I aim just under the 1644?

[Rockchick1984]

First question is are you drinking enough? I found that until weaning began that I needed a minimum of 3 litres of water a day while EBF!

For me, I work better having 3 meals and 3 snacks (mid morning, mid afternoon, and supper) as I don't do well when I'm hungry so an average day is something like overnight oats for breakfast, carrot batons for snack, ryvita with cream cheese and cucumber for lunch, banana and apple for snack, healthy tea, then a few biscuits or a yogurt for supper.

If I do get properly hungry between meals, I chop up a load of fruit and pour a muller light or some fat free Greek yogurt onto it - it feels like a big meal as it fills a bowl, but is actually low in calories!

[afreshstartplease]

I'm trying to do mfp too and struggling

1200 a day is my goal but I rarely achieve it

However it's made me see if was previously eating nearer 2500!

[Lillamyy1]

Thanks for the food tips Rockchick!
I've found out while researching dieting whilst breastfeeding that if you eat too few calories you don't lose weight, because your body thinks you're starving and holds into the fat
Also found this very useful link - it's a bmi and calorie calculator that takes into account if you're pregnant or lactating.
It said I burn 2484 calories a day so I'm going to aim to eat 1984... Much easier to do but seems like a lot if wanting to lose weight bf seems too easy to be helping me lose weight!

[MrsWhirling]

I have always hungry when BF, especially at the start, and I dont think I could have embarked on any kind of weight loss programme, so credit to you. It does sound like 1400 is low.

[Lillamyy1]

Yes, it makes me incredibly hungry and thirsty! I try to drink enough but probably don't

[MugsLife]

I found with ebf the weight fell off very quickly. I started using mfp but was so hungry I kept upping the calories, until I gave up and just ate when I could and I still lost 4 stone in 6 months and ended up lower than my pre-pregnancy after 12 months! Maybe try 1600 or even 1800 and only drop it if you find you aren't losing.

[Lillamyy1]

Well I've been having 1700 calories for the past week or so but usually go over and I just weighed myself yesterday and I've lost 6lbs since last week it must be more the bf that's doing it. And I guess eating healthily and not having many carbs has something to do with it.
Thanks for the advice everyone!!

[SmillasSenseOfSnow]

I've found out while researching dieting whilst breastfeeding that if you eat too few calories you don't lose weight, because your body thinks you're starving and holds into the fat

If it was 'starvation mode' you were reading about, that is a big fat myth. Or rather, not something that any of us need to worry about happening. Seriously.

[LittleLostRoeDeer]

I started with MFP at the start of the year, and I'm also breastfeeding. To begin with, I stuck to 2000 calories a day and have juat gradually dropped it over time. Now that he's on solids, I still aim for 1580 and usually go over. Since 1st of Jan, I've lost 3.5 stone so you'll definitely lose weight eating more calories! You can actually put in breastfeeding under the 'Cardio' section of exercise; it depends how hungry I am whether I eat back those calories though.

[Lillamyy1]

I'm on 1700 now, as I was advised by a dietician that that is the minimum I should have. I lost quite a few pounds but I've put some of them on again so am only 6 lb less than when I started. But it's better than nothing!