Size of meals - Diet & Nutrition Message Board

Euan · 06-01-2005, 08:12 AM

I just don't feel on top of this losing weight business. Due to me not knowing my exact size, I'm very wary of what I eat. I have been told to eat around 1800 calories a day, but whether this is too much or too little I don't know.

Starting off:

How many calories do you think this breakfast, which I have every day, contains. Three Weetabix, half a sliced banana with milk and orange juice. I'm a little bit worried that this is too much for me to eat on a diet, and may take away the orange juice / one less weetabix.

Another point:

For dieting, what should be the biggest meal etc? My breakfast is pretty big, but I always eat alot at dinner time. Should it be Breakfast > Lunch > Dinner, or?

Does anyone have a picture of an acceptable portion for dieting or something? That would really help me, but I suspect with the strict laws of this MB that it's impossible.

Lenin · 06-01-2005, 10:46 AM

euan,

Why guess??

Look on the package of Weetabix...how many calories in 3? Mark it down.
Banana...you can look up everything that isnt marked on its package on the USDA (dept. of Agriculture site):
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl
but to save time...half an average banana is 45 calories.
How much milk...look on the carton and get the amount for 8 ounces (different for 1%-2%-whole milk, 3.5%)
Same with the orange juice container...

Remember if you drink 6 ounces and the carton says "serving size"is 8 ounces you multiply by 6/8 or 3/4 or .75.

No need for estimating calories...you COUNT them.
Once you get serious about calorie counting a good gram scale is very useful. Of course a notebook is an absolute necessity...UI start each page with the date and my morning weight, nude, after bathroom and before putting anything into my mouth.

Unless you are an active man, you won't lose weight fast on 1800 calories.