Is it bad to top up calories at the end of the day?

Hard as I try, I just can't eat a large breakfast and have gotten into the habit of salads with tuna for lunch. I have a late afternoon snack and dinner and end up at about 1300 calories, though I'm trying to hit 1790 (only been dieting a month or so). I then try to top it up in the evening with something low fat getting me to about 1600. I'm not even really hungry 'cause my dinners are about 500 calories and we eat late (7PM).  Is this bad?

Also, there are SO MANY posts and links on protein and fat that I can't figure out what is right for me. I'm 215, 5'6" and am aiming for 20% fat & 20% protein. I can't figure out how to convert this to grams for 1790 calories so I just play with my food log until I get the right percentages on the graph.  CC gives me A's every day...so am I on the right track?

I'm no expert, but I don't necesarily think it's bad to hae a 500 cal dinner. That's not even THAT high in my opinion.

I think though, that when you eat less throughout the day you tend to overeat. And it had been proven that women(or people in general I think) whom have a bigger breakfast tend to weight less because they eat less throughout the day.

If can't eat a big quantity of food for breakfast, try eating something small but dense in cals. Like toast with peanut butter or something like that. And maybe try adding nuts like almonds, walnuts, olive oil to your snacks and salads..

just my two cents. good luck.

Maybe try upping your breakfast calories by drinking juice? Or, maybe a latte or hot chocolate made with milk? These are both healthy for you (milk/ vitamin C) and would up your calorie intake for the day... Also, I would recommend pistachios as an afternoon snack... they have loads of protein and would increase your calories...

I'm not much help, sorry, I usually run out of calories after dinner (or maybe have enough for a small snack)... I'm one of those people that is constantly hungry! :-) - that happens when you work with kids!

Good luck!

You should really try to get something else to eat in the morning.  If you can't face a big breakfast, have a piece of fruit or a yoghurt or a slice of toast to get the ball rolling.  Then take along a mid-morning snack to have later.   You're only 400-500 cals out so if you had 100-200 for breakfast and  200-300 cal snack, plus slightly larger portions at aother times that would top it up.

It's better to get your energy earlier in the day because that's when you need it.  And it's better to eat because you need it rather than later on just for the sake of hitting the target.

You don't need really to worry about fat and protein percentages.  As long as you get a good mix of carbohydrates, fat and protein at each meal then you'll be in the right area.  Your lunchtime salad with tuna, for example.... a small amount of dressing and a bread roll would balance that out nicely..