Yeah... Cutting calories isn't as easy as it sounds.

I started day one enthused and ready for a new, healthier me. I made the decision that I wasn't going to eat ANYTHING that I didn't know the exact caloric content, at least for the first two or three weeks. Let's see how I did...

CALORIC INTAKE GOAL, DAY 1: 1000 calories

Day 1: Breakfast

1. Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Peanut Butter Granola Bar - (170 cal)

Day 1: Lunch

1. Lean Cuisine Beef Pot Roast - (190 cal)
2. Slice of store brand Country White bread - (90 cal)
   

Day 1: Afternoon Snack

1. Snack-sized bag of Cheetos (YUM!) - (160 cal)

Day 1: Dinner

1. Pan-seared boneless chicken breast (Purdue Perfect Portions) with salt, pepper, and olive oil - (Approx 210 cal)
2. Slice of Vermont Bread Company brand 10 grain bread - (90 cal)
   

Day 1: Unscheduled After-Dinner Snack
(I first want to point out that I had NO CLUE as to the specific calorie content of the following goodies prior to their consumption.)

1. One Hershey's Special Dark Miniature with Peanuts - (140 cal)
2. One Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, Snack Size - (210 cal)
3. One Kit-Kat Bar, Snack Size (two sticks) - (73 cal)

Day 1: REALLY Unscheduled drinks with friend on his 21st birthday

1. One pint of Yuengling Lager - (135 cal)
2. One 1.5 oz shot of Jägermeister - (103 cal)

TOTAL CALORIC INTAKE, DAY 1: 1571
Difference from Goal: +571

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CALORIC INTAKE GOAL, DAY 2: 1000 calories

Day 2: Breakfast

1. Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Peanut Butter Granola Bar - (170 cal)

Day 2: Lunch

1. Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Peanut Butter Granola Bar - (170 cal)

Day 2: Afternoon Snack

1. Nine Utz brand pretzel sticks - (22 calories each, 198 cal total)

Day 2: Dinner

1. Baked boneless chicken breast (Purdue Perfect Portions) with garlic, cumin, pepper, and mustard - (Approx 190 cal)
2. Slice of Vermont Bread Company brand 10 grain bread - (90 cal)
3. Nancy's brand Petite Quiche, bite-sized spinach quiche - (70 cal)

TOTAL CALORIC INTAKE, DAY 1: 908
Difference from Goal: -92

I actually found a few websites that have made calculating the caloric content of foods much easier. I'm a huge fan of CalorieKing.com and their Calorie Counter. Also, ShapeFit.com's beer index is amazing. They have cataloged every major beer in America. The USDA has a good "pyramid tracker" that helps you calculate the healthiness of your meals. This is especially important, because just cutting calories and not eating healthy can actually cause more damage than maintaining your current diet.

Perhaps tomorrow I'll do some exercise, and up my caloric intake goal to reflect that change. And I think I need to throw some more fruits and veggies in there too.

Labels: Blog, Diet, Justin Schuck