Weight Loss
Moderators: spoiled_candy, coach_k, mollymouser, devilish_patsy, nycgirl



So according to my analysis, I am consistently low on fiber and iron. I only get 1200 cals a day, how do I increase these things without having too many carbs (main concern with fiber) or too much protein or fat (problems with iron)? Should I just give up and take a mulivitamin? I know those aren't as good for you, but I'm not sure how to even replace when I'm not eating that much to begin with.

Any help?

9 Replies (last)

When you're only eating 1200 calories it's hard to get all the vitamins you need unless you take a muti-vitamin.  It is usually recommended by most doctors.  As far as the fiber goes, I love ground flaxseed but it does add calories.  Are you getting enough whole grains and fibrous veggies?  You may want to look into some fiber pills also if you find you can't get enough any other way. 

Here's a website for foods with iron:  http://foodshighiniron.com/
A lot of those foods are also high in fiber!

Another thing you could try is fiber one cereal, if you can get it.  It's 60 calories per serving, with 14g of fiber and 25% daily value of iron. 

i don't understand...what is TOO high for carbs, fat, and protein? A balanced diet consists of 50-60% carbs, 20-30% fat, and 15-20% protein (thereabouts...recommendations vary but generally speaking they are in this ballpark). 

You're eating 1200 calories so getting enough will be hard and you won't be able to "waste" calories on treats. Why such a low calorie intake? Why not just increase your calories a little to make it easier and more enjoyable? 

Fibre's easy.  Eat more fruit and/or vegetables.

For the iron, your healthiest sources will be meat, dark green vegetables and beans.  Your highest amount of iron per calories consumed, though, will be fortified cereals (many of which have 50% of daily iron per 150 or so calories) or a multivitamin.  If you like it, liver is also very very high in iron.

I try to take a multivitamin everyday and I agree I believe most doctors would recommend one.  There are plenty of vitamin companies and most stores have their own brand of vitamins. 

I agree it's very difficult to get enough of anything on a 1200 cal. day.  But I try to eat Farina which is cheap and good for you as well as easy to prepare.  I buy frozen blueberries and add them to the Farina.  I've also found some Flaxseed rollups(wraps) which are very good basically make a salad and put it in the roll up.  Each rollup is 100 cal.

In an average day, I usually go over 25 g of fiber before I've hit 800 calories.  I usually eat a bowl of Kashi Go-lean for breakfast and 1/2 an ounce of almonds.  For lunch I usually stir fry a bunch of vegetables with a little whole wheat pasta and some veggie meat.

As for the iron, I take a multivitamin with iron in it, although I often get double the iron I'm supposed to because I also get it from my food (without eating meat).  But I've been turned down a couple of times I tried to give blood in the past because of low iron levels, so I figure the supplement can't hurt.

Fresh veggies are probably the lowest calorie means of getting fiber.  But I also like La Tortilla Factory Tortillas (50 cals, 5g protein, 6-7g fiber) and GG Crispbread (12 cals, 5g protein).

I would recommend vegetables and beans

You can eat double fiber bread (oroweat), it contains 6gr of fiber per slice... 

9 Replies
Stay motivated with inspirational articles
 
 
 




Advertisement
Advertisement
Allergy Remedies
Is It Possible to Go Natural?
The side effects of allergy medications keep some people from using them. Natural remedies can be a great alternative, but some are more effective than others.