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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Your favourite low-cal meal ideas

4 replies

BettyButterknife · 07/04/2011 13:18

I'm doing myfitnesspal and have just gone down from an allowance of 1350 calories per day to 1200 (aiming to lose 2lb a week now rather than 1.5), but I am struggling a bit to find good low cal meal ideas.

What tips can you offer? Am really interested in seeing what everyone else eats on a similar diet plan. Oh, I'm vegetarian, but might be able to make your meaty suggestions with a substitute of one kind or another so don't let that stop you posting your top tips.

OP posts:
Smash09 · 07/04/2011 15:04

That's quite a low allowance however it's just enough to get all your nutrients if you spend it wisely! Are you feeling relatively satisfied on 1300 calories? If you are very hungry and finding it hard to keep your energy up then it might be more sustainable to up it a tiny bit, even if only by 100-150 calories of nutrient dense food. If you are fine with it, and you may be if you are fairly petite and not very overweight, then that's fair enough but you may also consider just upping the calories for one day a week, to prevent any slowing in your metabolism and to give you a bit of room for a small something that you fancy!

1300 calories a day could be broken down in to a 500 kcalorie breakfast (it's very beneficial to eat more at the start of the day to boost your energy and reduce snacking later on), 400kcal lunch and 400kcal dinner, or if you prefer to eat little and often, then a 400 cal breakfast, 300 cal lunch, 400 cal dinner and 2 100 calorie snacks.

Example of the first one:

B: 250g low fat greek style yoghurt, mixed with 1 banana, 25g muesli or branflakes, and 15g chopped nuts or mixed seeds.

L: Small baked potato, half a tin of low sugar and salt beans, and 25g cheddar cheese, plus some plain salad

D: Chickpea and cauliflower curry made with a tiny bit of oil, and half a cup of brown rice.

Hope that helps a bit. x

foreverondiet · 07/04/2011 16:23

B: 2 egg omelette plus activia natural yoghurt with blueberries (from freezer) & oatbran
L: Cottage cheese salad or vegetable soup with quark spread on oatcakes
D: veggie stir fry with tofu or quorn chunks
S: activia fruit yoghurt / apple / cherry tomatoes

BettyButterknife · 09/04/2011 10:05

Thanks, that's what I'm worried about - making sure I get my nutrients.

I am definitely not fairly petite - 5'6" and 12 stone 8lb. Want to get down to around 10 stone.

Great tips so far, thank you! Love the idea of a hefty breakfast as I do find I'm ravenous in the mornings. Have been having porridge but am getting quite bored of it so will do a shop today and get some eggs/yogurt/berries etc in.

Anyone else got any masterful low cal recipes?

OP posts:
Duna · 09/04/2011 11:57

A particular favourite of mine is half an aubergine, topped with a sauce made from tomatoes, chilli, onions, peppers etc, bit of grated cheese on the top then baked in the oven. Served with small portion of veg cous cous and mixed salad.

Personally, I would only count the calories here in the cheese, cous cous, and any oil used in the sauce. I calorie count everything except things which are 'free' in the WW plan (basically most vegetables). People are different of course but this always works for me.

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