What to eat with 1200 calories!?

[NewMeNewUs]

really going to give calorie counting a go!
I’ve never really been a meat and 2 veg kinda girl. More like spag bol, pasta bakes, curry’s, chilli con carne etc. all made from scratch no jars or anything but even cooked this way- quite calorific!

i’d love some ideas of low calorie ideas for breakfasts, lunch and dinners. Thank you

I dread to think what I'll be left eating once I get to 10 stone (which is apparently the max I should be)

I'll be eating lettuce and pencil shavings

Yeh I know there's loads of free options, I just find this one better, for me- and more accurate! I also like the challenges, recipe sections, nutritional section, I find it's worth it for me.

@soupfiend a mile covered walking or running is roughly equal to 100 calories (slightly more). I run 6 miles a day and walk 3 or 4 (just over 2 hours exercise total). Which is about 1000 exercise calories. This really adds up. I can eat just under 2000 calories a day without gaining any weight. 5 ft 7 and 8 stone 7 lbs. (Small athletic frame).

@snowlady4 hey if it works. But I was bowled over by the basic app tbh. I run a fair bit and it's my favourite exercise 😁 have done a lot of reading regarding nutrition and can cook so don't really need more.

@soupfiend time for more activity! What exercise might you like doing?

Interesting. I walked for one hour the other day and this was a distance of 3 miles on the flat

Was exhausted and now my legs dont work

So was this 300 cals?

That sounds an awful lot

And how come its the same for walking and running?

None!

Hate all movement, unless its getting up from the sofa and then getting back down into it!!!

@soupfiend well I'm sure you could manage to walk somewhere you might like going to. Half hour there. Half hour back or Half hour walk before work. Half hour after. That would be 300 to 400 extra calories burnt a day 2100 to 2800 extra a week! And you'd be fitter with better circulation.

I know

Im sort of joking

Not joking

I do need to do exercise but hate it all to be honest. Just hate the moving around, the exertion, the sweating, the puffing, runny nose (all the time).

My aim was to try to do that sort of walk most days but its been raining...... so..... the sofa beckons.

@soupfiend, all you need for your walk is wet weather clothing and umbrella. Listen to something on headphones. It can be a lovely piece of me time. 🙂

Ive just looked up an exercise calculator and it says to walk for an hour at 3 miles an hour for my weight burns 235 cals

@soupfiend, the calculators vary. My hours walk can burn 400 calories sometimes. (Tracked on Fitbit) my husband can too (tracked by Apple Watch) But when you build up a liking for walking you can easily clock up more. And it's not just calories burnt but fitness. Your risk for many metabolic diseases goes down with exercise. It's also good for mental health.

Yes theres lots of benefits, its not about the cals as Im losing weight as Im sticking to my intake allowance, I was just interested in the amounts as they seem a bit unlikely if Im honest

@soupfiend, I can safely say walking makes a real difference. A few years ago I was 4 stone heavier and 4 dress sizes bigger.

And get a tracker if you are curious.

Two rice cakes with thinly spread almond butter.

Few slices of apple with teaspoon or so of peanut butter

Low fat greek yog with tablespoon of choc flavoured protein powder.

I’m on 1200 too (max) as I’m 5ft 1 and don’t have a huge amount to lose but I’m in the overweight category. I wouldn’t lose on more, I’ve tried.

I tend to eat similar food every week when dieting, as I know the calories without even thinking about it. This week I’ve been having:

breakfast: oats so simple (eat that daily)
lunch: bagel thin with low fat Philadelphia, ham, salad and Pom bear crisps. Kinder chocolate.
Dinner: home made honey and mustard chicken (half a chicken breast, when butterflied it feels like a whole piece), half pack of mash (easier to track cals than cooking my own), carrots and peas. 50g Oppo Ice cream
snack: Whitworths shots

tonight I’m having a glass of rose so will be over a bit but I walk a lot more on the weekend so should be ok.

2lbs down so far this diet (started Monday)

Agree. I burn 400-500 on the Saturday walk with my walking group. Sometimes more if going uphill. I always walk 10-15k steps per day, weekend often 20kg. It’s good for fitness and walking outside in the countryside is good for the soul

I don't find 1200 calories to be too bad - I make some simple swaps so if having sausages with the kids I buy heck sausages and I will make myself celariac mash instead.

Lots of veg and a soup maker really helps me as I can make low calorie tasty soups for lunch with no oil.
I still have carbs but reduced amounts so will have a small portion of rice then loads of veg and chicken or make cauliflower rice. Same with making courgetti noodles/spaghetti instead.
Protein and fats from meat or counted out almonds. I don't really have any sugar if I want something sweet then I have a options hot chocolate. Bob milk also tastes good for skimmed milk!

Based on the food you like I’d start swapping the protein for veg cauliflower rice with home made curry, Courgetti with bolognese, a baked potato with your chilli instead of rice.