Does eating extremely light meals help lose weight?

[KikiFan]

If it matters right now, I'm eating a portion of chile-marinated beef over a bed of spinach, with a piece of garlic bread.

That's not a bad meal, but personally I'd skip the bread and add another veggie. Try to get most of your carbs from veggies and avoid the starchy carbs - like breads, rice and pastas. Especially your highly processed breads like white. Potatoes are the single worst thing you can eat - there have been studies lately linking them to the majority of weight gain.

Another tip is make sure you finish eating at least 3hours before bedtime. It allows you body to digest the food you've eaten and begin burning fat. Also food in your stomach all night tends to turn into fat.

And Water lots and lots of water. Hard to believe, but often thirst is mistaken for hunger. When you *think* you're hungry, try drinking some water first.

 

[Foxhound3857]

I usually go to bed around midnight, so I'll try not to eat past 9PM anymore.

 

[kwelch10377]

Orange juice and cheeses (except american cheese) are big ones for me. I'll give some of those others you recommended a try. Acai juice in particular sounds good. Thanks!

Just make sure that the orange juice is one of the lower sugar ones. I drink Simply Orange. I only drink once glass a day with whatever I have for breakfast.

Acai juice is a little weird at first. My friend told me to try and and when I did I told him that I couldn't decide whether or not I liked it, he said he had the same response. They do have Acai juice that has other fruits mixed with it. Acai Orange juice is pretty good, as well as the blueberry and pomogrante.

I eat quinoa(it is one of the 10 superfoods) almost everyday, there are so many ways to use it. If you like eating the spinach salad, mix quinoa, spinach and tomatoes with either olive oil or lemon juice, it is a really great balanced lunch. You can eat it hot or cold.

 

[clarabelle]

Try keeping a food diary
If you can cut 250 or so calories a day -plus exercise you should be on board for 1-2 lbs a week.
I do occasionally eat a really light meal - less than 200 calories - and it does help me keep my weight down.
There is some research that says the "starvation mode" has been exaggerated.
You don't fall into it after a few days of eating light.

You can eat junk and empty calories and still lose weight as long as your total calories in is less than what you are burning.
But to feel really good and have general good health you would want a good balanced diet without a bunch of empty carbs.

Good luck.

 

[Foxhound3857]

Try keeping a food diary
If you can cut 250 or so calories a day -plus exercise you should be on board for 1-2 lbs a week.
I do occasionally eat a really light meal - less than 200 calories - and it does help me keep my weight down.
There is some research that says the "starvation mode" has been exaggerated.
You don't fall into it after a few days of eating light.

You can eat junk and empty calories and still lose weight as long as your total calories in is less than what you are burning.
But to feel really good and have general good health you would want a good balanced diet without a bunch of empty carbs.

Good luck.

Thanks. You watch, I'll be a lean 175lbs come Christmas.

 

[clarabelle]

I don't doubt it!

If you need some inspiration -I like shape and weight watchers magazines
Also I like oxygen for the workouts -but not nutrition stuff

Many of us have struggled with weight

 

[Foxhound3857]

I don't doubt it!

If you need some inspiration -I like shape and weight watchers magazines
Also I like oxygen for the workouts -but not nutrition stuff

Many of us have struggled with weight

I'm watching Adam Richmans Man Vs Food. lol

 

[disneychrista]

I drink roughly 300 calories a day in vitamin water.

Well I think your body would rather have you eat 300 calories of nutritious food with real vitiamins than "vitamin" water.

 

[teskak]

Download the MyFitnessPal app for your iPhone & I think it has apps for other types of phones and track every calorie. It is too hard to write them down & look up calorie values in a book - the app does the calculations & has a database of lots of food from the main chain grocery stores & restaurants.

It also calculates the amount of fat, carb, protein and vitamins for you - so you can see if the vitamins are necessary.

You also track your exercise, whether it is 30 mins walking around a grocery store or 1 hour flat out Spin Cycle class. If you set your goals, it will calculate the calories you should eat per day & give feedback each day on whether you are on track or not.

No need to show it to anybody, but from what you have posted so far (assuming no troll) you need something to get you directed because the ultra low calorie meals supplemented by crap will not do it. Crap is calorie dense & you will feel hungry sooner. Have a packet of fresh apples wherever you are, they satisfy the sugar cravings and are low Calorie & lots of fibre& vitamins

 

[Foxhound3857]

And now I've read that Wheaties and Nutrigrain bars are BAD for you? What the hell!?

 

[Coconut36]

And now I've read that Wheaties and Nutrigrain bars are BAD for you? What the hell!?

Define what you mean by bad for you.

 

[Foxhound3857]

Define what you mean by bad for you.

That it amounts to nothing more then simple sugars and iron shaving and isn't even considered real food, and that product marketers will say anything on a product to get your money.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Define what you mean by bad for you.

Yes, they are crap, lol! Mostly sugar & carbs, not much protein or fiber.

Start reading product labels. You want foods that are the least processed. Shop around the edge of the grocery store - fresh meat, veggies, and dairy. Nothing in a box! Minimize your intake of preservatives and high fructose corn syrup. Some canned foods are OK, like beans. For veggies, fresh is best, then frozen, then canned as a last resort.

If you eat anything processed, buy it in the natural foods section. Kashi makes great cereals, snack bars and granola bars.

Yes, what really matters is the total number of calories that you eat in a day, BUT, foods that are high in fiber and protein keep you full longer, so you are less tempted to eat empty calories. Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal is higher in fiber & protein than raisin bran. It's a great way to start the day.

Sometimes I have a piece of fruit and a glass of skim milk for breakfast, then a Chobani yogurt and some taboule salad for lunch, then a reasonable dinner - veggie, protein, and small portion of carb. I do treat myself to a Hershey's kiss each afternoon at work, and sometimes I buy Edy's slow churned ice cream. It has everything that normal ice cream does, so it tastes good, but it has more air mixed in it, so it's not dense, (110 calories for a serving) as opposed to Ben & Jerry's, which is very dense (290 calories for a serving). Trust me, I looked last night! I also eat veggie stix for a crunchy snack that has less calories than regular chips.

Everyone is talking about protein, but you also need fiber, to, uh, keep things moving in your system, lol! Kashi Go Lean Crunch bars have both fiber & protein. If you are a guy, Clif bars are good. For women, they make Luna bars, which have less calories. Sometimes I have one for lunch with a glass of skim milk.

Also, drink lots of water. It also keeps things moving, and flushes out any junk in your system.

Good luck!

 

[Foxhound3857]

Thankfully all the spinach I'm eating has tons of fiber.

Thanks!

 

[hambirg]

I guess I could try adding some bacon bits and croutons to my spinach.

Is this a joke?

Because if it's not you have a lot to learn. Losing weight isn't easy but there are things you can do to make it easier. First, in you pp, I believe you are underestimating the calories you are eating. No worries, most people do. You should be able to lose weight on a 2000cal/day diet.

In order to make that easier you should be eating 1g of protein per lb of body weight. . .200g that's 800 calories of lean protein. . .chicken breast, fish, turkey breast, lean beef, egg whites and if you need it whey.

Ideally a good breakdown is 50/35/15 carb/protein/fat ratio. That's 50% complex carbs/ 35% lean protein/ 15% healthy fats.

To make the numbers nice let's say roughly:

285g carbs or 1150cal
200g protein or 800cal
38g fat or 340cals

That's 2290 cals. . .to drop it down cut 290cals of carbs. . .or roughly 72g

It matters what you eat. Eating enough protein will make it easier not to binge. Getting the right carbs will prevent you from feeling shaky and keep your blood sugar even so you won't want to binge.

It matters how often and when you eat, making it easier not to binge and prevent you metabolism from going into starvation mode. Eat 6 small meals a day. I've had most success eating my carbs before noon.

 

[hambirg]

Oh, also, I'm kinda hesitant to try PB&J sandwiches for lunch because of the high fat content in peanut butter. So I wanted to ask, should I stay away from that too?

PB isn't necessarily bad, but it counts as a healthy fat, NOT a lean protein.

Lean proteins would be chicken breast, turkey breast, egg whites, fish, lean beef, and even lean pork like tenderloin. Oh yeah, and whey if you choose to use it.

Complex carbs. . .oatmeal, brown rice, other whole grains, fruits, and veggies. . .NOT chips, white rice or anything made with white flour. Also not corn or potatoes (though I think you can eat them sometimes.)

Fats. . .natural PB, olive oil, fish oil, flaxseed, canola oil, etc Try to stay away from saturated and trans fats.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That it amounts to nothing more then simple sugars and iron shaving and isn't even considered real food, and that product marketers will say anything on a product to get your money.

I'd probably agree with that!

The more processed something is, the less your body needs to do to digest it and the less it can do for your body.

Ezekial Bread would be good! Whole Sprouted Grain. Quite dense--but good for you.


I would skip croutons! No nutrional value for you. Waste of calories! Load the spinach with cucumbers or even pickles (dill) and a variety of other veggies! Much better than croutons.

I won't bregrudge the bacon. It can provide a protein kick and has fat--but it isn't healthy like EVOO would be and it is calorie heavy.

 

[teskak]

I agree with a prior poster - 31lb by Christmas (12 weeks away) is probably too ambitious & the last thing you want to do is "fail" if it means you are disappointed and it sets you into a pattern of "I can't do it...."

I have lost 42 lb, but that has been from January - and it is damned hard work. You will need to keep focussed all of the time, all meals, all snacks and a bolt load of exercise. I mentioned earlier the iPhone app MyFitnessPal - I track everything I eat down to the 6 strawberries & 1 apple I just had as a snack. And my Personal Trainer still checks it every week!!

'treats' are earned from the calories spent in exercise BUT those calories used in exercise would be better used in burning fat. 1lb of fat = 3500 calories. To lose the goal weight by Xmas = 2.66 lb a week or 9,333 calories spent over food intake every week.

Get a heart monitor & watch - there are different brands from about $80. Use it every time you exercise, and get your doctors advice on what is a safe zone for somebody who has not exercised before. Stick to those limits until you are fitter.

You may hate it - because I really did, but get used to cardio exercise, and more than walking around the block. If you are embarrassed & I was, go to the gym in off hours or join a 24 hour gym and resolve that the only time you watch television is while on the treadmill, even if it is walking for hours.

No sugar coating - it is going to hurt, lots - exercise, food, time commitment
(I get up at 4:30 every weekday morning to get to a 6am class), not having
the 'treats' that others have etc

 

[Foxhound3857]

I'm drinking 2 liters of water a day now, and I feel like I'm actually gaining weight rather than losing it. =(

 

[Tinijocaro]

I could have written the first part of your post. I'm 5'4", 132 pounds. Small frame and was 1-4 before 1st pregnancy, ds who is 16.

Started eating only whole grains, so rolled oats for breakfast, NO WHITE FLOUR, NO WHITE RICE, NO WHITE SUGAR, really cutting out most sugars including honey. Those have been my biggest changes. I've lost 5 pounds so far.

I'm trying to lose weight as well. I am 5'4, and currently 133 pounds. My high was 136 pounds. I have a small frame, and was 103 before I got pregnant with DS, who will be 15 in December.

My goal weight is 125.

I am not a big breakfast eater. I have been eating Carnation Breakfast Essentials (instant breakfast - just add milk!) with 1% milk and some sort of fruit thrown in - frozen strawberries, frozen raspberries, or a banana. Mixed in my smoothie maker ($12 at Walmart!!).

A light lunch - half a sandwich and a bag of chips. Today was a half chicken salad sandwich and pretzels.

Dinner was a splurge - 2 pieces of pepperoni & pineapple pizza, and 3 small pieces of garlic bread.

When I get hungry, I grab a lowfat yogurt (normally under 100 calories) and eat that. And I drink a TON of water!

You have to eat, and you need to eat healthy to lose weight. My downfall is sweets. I love dessert! I am limiting myself to one cookie a day. Saving that until about 7pm to have with a cup of tea.

Good luck on your weight loss. Keep healthy items around to snack on, and make sure to eat on a regular basis. Don't skip meals!!