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Eating once a day
Started
by Ragdolly
on May 28, 2011
Mark, I've been intrigued by calorie restriction for years, even checked out the society and read books, etc... It is definitely an interesting concept, especially if an individual could be committed to tracking all their nutrients.
Portion control is key. Just because you have three meals rather than one doesn't necessarily mean you should triple the calories. I have five SMALL meals a day.
Thanks for the calorie guide, that is neat (and all the replies). I'm between sedentary and lightly active so I gave myself a range. When I was a lacto-ovo vegetarian there was no way I could have fit in that range. Cheese and milk was calorie packed!
I may have had my 3 meals today already. It depends on if you consider a tall glass of spicy V8 to be a meal or not. That was my "coffee" this morning.
I don't think I consider this a meal, but it did say 3 servings of vegetables on the bottle so I thought maybe it could be considered a SMALL meal.
Anyway so far today I've had 900 calories which is not quite enough.
In case you haven't noticed, I eat hotsauce with every single meal. Well this afternoon it caught up with me and I ended up having to take a prilosec. Whether that's vegan or not IDK but sometimes you have to be kind to yourself and take the medicine you need.
I am waiting for my stomach to calm down to have the remainder of my calories w/ some shell macaroni and "cheese". Give me another hour or so...
On recount I think it might've been closer to 1,100
I've heard about calorie restriction and raw foodists who eat masses of the same thing once a day. I'm not saying it doesn't work for some people and I certainly don't know enough about it to make an informed comment. If this is something you aspire to do then it's a gradual process - many raw foodists have to carefully lead up to 100% raw diet, as it can be a huge strain on the system to adopt such a diet immediately. I suspect those on calorie restricted diets do the same. Only speculating, of course.
I'm glad you're eating more Ragdolly, I really think you're worrying way too much about calories when you should be focusing on getting all the nutrients you need. I'm also a petite 5'4'' and I aim for a balanced diet - three meals a day, sometimes with a snack mid-afternoon. I've not got the perfect diet by any means but I do try to include raw food as much as I can and avoid processed foods where I can - they're a treat.
If you don't ming me asking, is there a reason why you are particularly sedentary at the moment or could you up your activity levels? Maybe some yoga or something, which you could do by yourself in the house, would help?
Also, stick to wholefoods as much as you can - I notice such a difference when I don't eat cleanly. Avoid too much sugar etc. etc. Probably telling you stuff you already know:)
How're you feeling now anyway?
TY for asking, I got sick last night and was trying to figure out why. I think there was animal product (meat flavoring) in the lunch I had yesterday at a restaurant. They said they use canola oil and I believed them and took into consideration how pans can get seasoned with things and not actually have any animal in them. I kept smelling it on my breath all night long. It was just awful.
I woke up a little queasy but I think once I start eating and drinking for the day it will help flush/dilute yesterday.
When other vegans said they get sick from accidental meat products I thought they were being ridiculous until now...
Before I got sick, though, I could tell that eating three times a day was really helping my mental alertness and I started feeling better all the way around. I feel stronger.
I think as long as you are getting over 1000 calories and eating enough protien and iron you are probably fine doing that half the time like you are. I have one suggestion though. I saw that you are drinking almond milk or something like that with your meal. You could have that later (or earlier in the day depending on when your meal is) because it will give your body some more nutrients and also becasue usually they have added calcium which can disrupt the absorption of other nutrients like iron when you have it with your meal. Its not that bad or anything, but it might help without making you prepare and eat a whole seperate meal.
^Ok. I suspect i absorb all minerals very well though. My iron levels are in a male's range which is 14 - 16 and mine was 15.6 which they said was rare for a vegan. The average female's iron level is 12- 14.
This was last Winter though and may not be the case anymore especially since the blood donation and periods.
3 yesterday and a snack. 1 so far today.
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