It does sound a lot, I think thats why I felt satisfied because I felt I had proper meals . The big difference is portion size and measuring everything out. It also felt a lot because it was in a shorter window frame. It didn't feel toooo long til the next time I ate (except lunch - I was ready for it when the time came)
My porridge portion was small and made with water and salt which I prefer anyway. If you make it with milk then that would add lots. I also usually throw in a handful of cashews but I added 5 in. I would normally have a banana as well as berries and pour in a hefty helping of maple syrup. So, I got my porridge but probably about at least a quarter of my normal calories. My brain seemed happily tricked/satisfied.
The soup was a small portion of homemade (weighed out) soup I made with little oil and plenty water so a little thinner than normal. Usually it would be double the thickness, double the amount and a made with a great glug of oil. (And with a sandwich with a dollop of mayo ) so a huge difference in calories for lunch. The salad was basically spinach leaves, a tomato, cucumber and a small amount of the lentils for protein and lemon juice for flavour. With the soup it felt satisfying.
The aubergine curry was half a portion of one I made the day before. All weighed and measured out. Things like spices for flavour which are minimal calories and much less oil. I usually glug oil in to meals. Which is not a bad thing to get oil but not as much as I was. So, teaspoons or tablespoons used to measure it out for recipes. Things like the chickpeas added are also good but not overdoing them, just half a tin between the 2 portions. And a tin of tomatoes to make the sauce instead of a rich creamy sauce. The sweet potato wasn't very big and I didn't eat the skin because it was too tough this time.
Again, the yoghurt and fruit after were a small portion but a tasty sweet thing after dinner which I do like. Less yoghurt more berries. (And NOT half a bottle of maple syrup)
I haven't followed a plan, just worked with what I have in the house and used MFP to measure everything out, including the tbsps of oat milk in my morning coffee and evening cup of tea. These are both out of my 11 00am-7.00pm window of eating which I know is not really the done thing but I don't mind that deviation. I am also planning it and putting in to MFP the night before which seems to help. I have a plan all set up in place. I just need to follow it.
And water!! I have drank sooo much more water. I am pretty good at my water intake anyway but I am finding myself reaching for more naturally.
Good luck today everyone. I have a long busy day and I have my period too so we will see how it works out. My work later on is fairly physical so if I need something else on top today for power then I will go with it.