1600cals - how would you use them?

[2littlemoos]

Just that really. I want to use them wisely.

I know some people like to avoid too much carb but I also feel like 1600 can be quite hard to reach without it when cutting out processed foods. Thoughts please?

And does anyone keep some back each day and then enjoy a nice treat at the weekend?

Thank you

I'd eat vegetables and lean protein.

Surely that's quite a lot to meet that amount?

I would split it down into breakfast, lunch, tea and maybe a snack or two? So you could do 100 cal snacks or so

I eat carbs. They're not bad for you if you eat sensible portions.

I normally eat about 400cals go breakfast (usually eggs and granary toast), 500cals for lunch (typically soup with added protein like chickpeas, chicken, beans plus some cheese) then 600 for dinner (something like rice with veg stir fry).

I add snacks like a banana.

With 1600 cals a day I would definitely save some for the weekend. I have 1400 and tend to break them down:

M 600 (fast day)
T 1200
W 1200
T 1400
F 1800
S 2000
S 1600

I don't think you'd really need the fast day though with 1600.

I personally avoid bread (but not other carbs) and sugar (apart from fruit) because I find it much easier to stretch my calories that way. Don't each much processed food at all, but lots of salad and veg to fill my plate.

That sounds right to me ideal. I honestly feel awful without carbs and can't beleive so many go without them but eh I guess we're all different!

1600 is loads! Normal portions of reasonably healthy food plus a couple of snacks and you should be able to stick to it.

I'm the same as Purple. Eat normally, just more healthily, lower fat and keep portion sizes sensible. I have sweet stuff or alcohol if I've had a lower calorie day and/or have done more exercise and try to have a couple of days without added sugar as I'm quite bad for a sweet tooth and I want to alter my tastes a bit.

Also I don't really snack (except v occasionally on the weekends) - if you're used to eating frequently it can be hard at first but if you tough it out it's loads easier to feel less like you're on a diet if you're only using your cals for 3 meals.

Also, because I'm not eating a lot, I focus on making what I do eat as nice as possible, e.g. a really nice apple rather than a horrible Granny Smith, or putting more thought into a meal.

I wouldn't snack.

I'd have Greek yoghurt and strawberries for breakfast. Mixed salad and chicken for lunch with an apple. A glass of red and cheeses, hams, olives and cucumber and cherry toms for tea with some crackers or granary bread. Rounded off with a square or two of dark chocolate and a peach.
Portion sizes to suit the calorie requirement.
Bloody lovely 😊

Thank you. treater that's interesting how you alter the amounts. I may try that although not go begin with. And yes I'm going down the natural foods route. Brown rice, sweet potato etc. Fruits for sugar.

Yes it does seem a lot beep ! I think it's because I'm nearly 6ft and fairly active in that I walk quite a few miles most days. I am relieved that I can have this much as ot doesn't really seem like a diet amount IYSWIM.

drspouse I'm the same. I'm going to trrry and cut out the naughty sugars for a couple of weeks or at least in the week to try and gain some control over my sweet tooth!

That's a good way to view what you eat treater. I like the example of the apple. It might help me switch how I treat myself. I.e. treat of a quality piece of fruit, rather than a box of jaffas...

1600 sounds more like a tdee than a diet...

Chicken/steak/gammon and veg/salad -sweet potatoes or new potatoes for small amount of carbs. Meat fills, carbs kills.

Breakfast is the hard one because it will set you up for the day. If you start hungry, you stay hungry and risk overeating. Eggs are great (less yolk tho) if you like them

1600 can easily be a diet depend on your current weight and activity. My tdee is close to 2500 so I'm steadily losing on 1800 calories. I eat pretty normal family meals and the odd snack, lowish fat and good amount of carbs and protein. My weight loss is better when I get plenty of fibre and loads of waster, no booze.

I have a fairly strict weekly routine but relax what i eat at the weekend.
Basically Monday to Friday at 5 pm

Breakfast - 45 to 50 grams of cereal with skimmed milk to equal 250 calories
Lunch - No more the 300 calories. Normally soup or a Tuna/ham/egg salad and maybe some fruit
Dinner - Eat whatever the family has but watch portion size.
Friday night I may have some snacks and wine/beer
No BREAD Monday to Friday but I do have carbs like pasta/potatoes and rice
Saturday - eat whatever I want/snack and have wine in the evening
Sunday - eat whatever I want for breakfast/lunch/dinner but avoid snacks and no alcohol.
Following this routine I have managed to maintain a weight I am happy with. I also go to the gym 3 nights a week for 30 mins and swim one night.
To actually lose the weight I followed my Monday to Friday plan the whole week but still had my wine but no bread what so ever which was difficult as I LOVE bread and Pizza.