For those that eat 1200 calories a day what do you eat?

I feel I am ok with breakfast and lunch, dinner is my problem. Always was even with weight watchers and I think that was why I had a hard time sticking to it.

For example, if I make grilled chicken but I marinate it. Does that change the calorie intake and how much. Then how much would a portion be. Or if I make meatloaf or even meatballs. When I have to come up with a recipe I never know what the portion is suppose to be.

Re: For those that eat 1200 calories a day what do you eat?

A lot of the same food. Lots of protein and greens. Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, legumes,,eggs, tons of vegetables. High volume/low density food

Re: For those that eat 1200 calories a day what do you eat?

I make a LOT of skinny taste meals, which helps, plus I bought a food scale. I had no idea that a boneless, skinless chicken breast is typically 8 oz - that's TWO servings!

I eat a ton of protein. Greek yogurt every day, turkey or chicken for lunch or dinner, and lower-fat cheeses, plus beans when I remember. I'm terrible with eating veggies but I love snacking on celery with salsa and baby corn, and sometimes I roast baby artichoke hearts.

It's all about getting creative! I also drink a LOT of seltzer (I hate plain water) and that helps keep me full and flushes out excess sodium.

Re: For those that eat 1200 calories a day what do you eat?

I eat mostly vegan-like the PP said, lots of veggies, beans, quinoa, stuff like that. I cut dairy out almost completely because I tend to over-do it and saw the biggest drop in lbs when I really limited dairy.

For breakfast I make a shake of some sort (Kimberly Snyders is my fave) and then for lunch I mix it up, but try to keep to to about 350 calories.

For dinner, I just try to make sure whatever I am making is at least 50% vegetables. Last night I sauteed yellow and cubanelle peppers with some garlic, put in a can a crushed tomatoes and then I cooked three shrimp in the sauce and served it over about a half a cup of brown rice and put some cilantro on top. It was so good!

I also make a lot of veggie/bean soups-gazpacho, vegan chili, etc.

Re: For those that eat 1200 calories a day what do you eat?

Lots and lots of veggies and lean proteins! For dinner I have been making zucchini fritters or broccoli/cauliflower stuffed tomatoes, with a big salad. Sometimes I hav egg white omelettes, or chicken or even steak (although I really am moving more towards a plant based diet.) I use lots of whey protein and have bread or rice cakes with my pre/post workout meals. There are lots of blogs out there with delicious healthy meals out there! You just have ot be creative!

Re: For those that eat 1200 calories a day what do you eat?

And yes, marinating will change the calories for sure. Figure out how much the entire recipe contains as far as protein/fat/carbs. Then, figure out the amount of each you want in that meal and portion out accordingly!

Re: For those that eat 1200 calories a day what do you eat?

I do low carb and low calorie

I try to aviod cheese- which cuts down on the carlories a bit

I eat mostly protein and veggies for dinner- either in a salad with a low carloire dressing- that I measure

or I will do brocolii and string beans with a peice of chicken or salmon

Re: For those that eat 1200 calories a day what do you eat?

Re: For those that eat 1200 calories a day what do you eat?

That sounds really good and I think I will try it.

Thanks for all the suggestions. It seems easy enough, just more planning on my part. I think the hardest thing for me is that I hate eating the same things over and over. I get bored with food fast.


No need to eat the same things! I try to add something new to my meals each week...ideally id love to do it each day but its tough! This week was jicama!

Re: For those that eat 1200 calories a day what do you eat?

Re: For those that eat 1200 calories a day what do you eat?

Just curious why are so many people on a 1200 calorie diet? Was this recommended by an MD or RD?

I am supposed to eat 1500 to 1800 (depending on my activity or if I want to lose just a couple of pounds) but I'm 4 feet 11 inches!! I can't imagine eating only 1200 calories per day for myself!