I'm eating clean and can't hit a 1200 calorie goal. Is that terrible?

[vrushton7]

Hi,

I am really trying to stop eating so much processed foods. I want to eat healthy and clean and get all of the chemicals and toxins out of my body, but I find it really hard to hit my 1200 calorie goal. I am not starving, but I know if I don't eat 1200 calories your body will go into a starvation mode. I eat as much as I can. I even eat everything on my plate when I'm full. I just want to be healthy and try to do this the best way possible. Any advice??

what my typical day looks like

Break fast: greek yogurt and a apple with pumpkin pie spice

Snacks: carrots, black berries, and cucumbers for snacks through out the day

Lunch: salad and broth soup

Dinner: 6 oz meat and 1 cup veggies.

[KJScarp]

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@Metina wrote:

Well, are you loosing weight?  At then end of the day isn't that what you are trying to accomplish.  No offense to others, but this topic went way off the deep end.  If you are eating clean and loosing weight who cares if you can't get to 1,200 cals.  What works for some, doesn't work for others.  

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Because weight loss does not necessarily equal fat loss.  Chronic undereating leads to muscle loss.  Muscle drives metabolism, ergo muscle loss equals slower metabolism.

[Metina]

Ergo your point is what?  Have you lost weight?  Are you loosing weight?  

[ATXmomma]

you could add peanut butter to your apple in the morning, hemp seeds to your yogurt, a protein shake, a handful of nuts, some tofu to your lunch soup, a cup of brown rice or quinoa with your dinner or a baked sweet potato...any of these things would add 200 calories. 

[whome]

@ATXmomma   - If ATX means what it does where I live, are you ready for SXSW yet?

[ATXmomma]

I actually recently moved away:( *sigh* I wish I was there for SXSW. My place was downtown area so actually sx is terrible for locals traffic wise lol. Do you go?

[whome]

Nah - too much trouble - saw Allison Kraus in a room at the Hyatt back during year 2 or so but it really isn't what it used to be - used to live 2 blocks south of Barton Springs Rd off of Bouldin but have moved out by Lake Travis and the heck with driving and parking -

[crystal24311]

My suggestion, just from looking at your meal plan, you're not getting enough protein. Add some lean meats, egg whites, and bean dips to your snacks. A handful of almonds or other nuts would be a great addition and will definitely add to your calorie count for the day. If you check out any reputable books/mags on clean eating you'll see that protein is very important. 

[Maverick494]

I have to also mirror what a few others have said, you seem to be lacking protien in general.  You'd be amazed at how much protien you actually should intake daily.

Don't forget you also need some fats and oils too, obviously healthy ones.

[curlyd]

I also decided this year to start eating a lot cleaner and remove the processed foods from my diet but I do agree with some of the others you need to add some good fats to your diet, avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, almonds,etc

.

One way I decided to get started was to go on a 30 day smoothie challenge, this was for the month of April. These were fruit-veggie smoothies, because I was not able to get these in on a regular basis I found it easier to mix in a smoothie and so daily I was making my smoothie with spinach and fruits and substituted this for lunch, some days I would add a good fat (from above) based on the smoothie and then you could add in some additional natural protein such as avocado, chia seeds, hemp powder, hemp hearts. These smoothies actually cut out my craving for coffee after drinking if since the age of 15, I'm now 55, it cut out sweet craving and they keep me full because of the fiber and protein, this was one of the best things I could have added to my diet.

I am now 15 lbs lighter, this challenge also allows for a 21 day cleanse after the 30 day smoothie challenge but I choose not to do so at this time but I still continue to make my daily smoothie, I know what to do and will continue on this, it gave my energy which I really needed and when I saw that the coffee cravings were gone without the withdrawals I could not believe it!! You just have to make sure you are adding the correct things into your diet, do not leave the things out that your body needs, I hope this helps you.

[botch]

I have also started changing my diet to no pre preprocessed foods.  You are right, less than 1200 calories on a regular basess can be a very bad thing.  I added more beans and nuts to my diet.  lots of protine and fiber with enough calories to boost yur intake.

P.S. I have to watch my salt intake so I pressure cooke my own beans, the flavor is outstaning.

[ShannonBoord]

I think I would add some additional high quality protein to your daily intake. 

[HeatherFeather]

I have been feeling the same way and not meeting a specific number.  A good way to get some more calories and protein is hard boiled eggs on your salad.  Do you like feta cheese or goat cheese?  Those work too.