Calorie-counting is a funny thing.
A couple weeks ago, I introduced you all the the MyPlate calorie tracking tool through Livestrong, and have been logging in my meals ever since. Although I’m not trying to lose weight, I decided to take on the responsibility of tracking my eats to inevitably gain a better understanding of which food groups my calories were coming from and what meals I was bulking them into.
Although MyPlate DID allow me to see that I could afford to add more carbs into my diet, it also did something a bit counterproductive as well. I have always been a big breakfast eater, and in fact, started to see the most progress during my weight loss journey when I began bulking up my morning meals. I’m talking anywhere from 500-700 calories to start off the day, which naturally would keep my later meals on the smaller side because I wouldn’t get as hungry for lunch or dinner. When I began logging my intake, I unintentionally did something that really started to screw up my eating “balance”—I began to equal out the calories in all of my meals throughout the day. For instance, instead of having a large breakfast, a medium lunch, and a smaller dinner, I was having a medium breakfast, medium lunch, and medium dinner.
What did this do? Made me hungrier than ever! Because I wasn’t giving my body the intake that it was used to in the mornings, I became a snack MACHINE throughout the day (as if I wasn’t one already). I’m not downplaying snacking at all, but at times it got to the point where no matter WHAT I ate, I was never satisfied. Last night after eating a generously-portioned dinner, realizing that I was still hungry, and wondering what was up—it finally hit me. Calorie-counting and eating equal-portioned meals throughout the day may be a good strategy for some, but I should have trusted that there was a reason for my growling morning-belly and tendency to eat bigger breakfasts than my own boyfriend. That is truly what my body needed, saw results from, and clung to!
So like the rebel that I am– what did I do for breakfast this morning? Brought back a larger bowl of oats with more nut butter (sorry PB2!), extra protein, and topped it off with decorative drizzles just for kicks 8)
Into the mix:
- 1/3 cup Coach’s Oats
- 1 tbsp chia seeds (using chia seed method)
- Frozen & mashed banana
- 1 tbsp hemp protein
- Almond milk
- Strawberries, mixed in instead of as a topping
- Cinnamon
- Stevia
- Topped with: Cocoa Bliss Chocolate Coconut Butter & Sunbutter
Hefty breakfast = Happy Brittany 
Please understand that I’m not trying to knock anyone’s personal style of eating, nor am I trying to shun calorie counting and all that it stands for. Rather, what I AM trying to say is that having large overwhelming, mind-blowing, calorie-dense breakfasts is the method that works best for me, and it took a hiatus of tracking my own meals for me to even realize it.
A bit to think about: Do your meals tend to balance out, or do you prefer a heavier breakfast like I do?
{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
I added in breakfast 18 years ago. Lost 35lbs and never quit breakfasting
Miz recently posted..Smoothie making challenge sponsored by Egg Beaters.
Agree with all of this, Brittany! I’ll see articles all the time suggesting a healthy meal plan, but you have to take them with a grain of salt–different things work for different people. I’m a breakfast lover myself, and nothing sticks to my ribs quite like a bowl of oatmeal. To those who can eat cereal/eggs/pancakes for breakfast (or, gasp, no breakfast) and be satisfied, more power to ya! But it just ain’t my thang.
Emma @ Microcosm of Life recently posted..The Comfort of Chicken and Noodles
Actually, no. Not eating breakfast at all is not something I can get behind. Haha.
Emma @ Microcosm of Life recently posted..The Comfort of Chicken and Noodles
hahaha! Uhhhh I totally agree with that! I am always curious how people “survive”…but I might just be melodramatic, that’s all.
And this is cool stuff Britt! I loooove love breakfast and all that it stands for, so I try to eat hearty breakfasts, as you can probably tell…my lunches are always the smallest, and dinners are medium~sometimes a bit large. Lunch is usually a given along with snacks, but dinner is always how I’m feeling that night.
Ellie@Fit for the Soul recently posted..Quick & Delicious Pasta and Intervals
Good Morning Brittany is that MyPlate a free website?
Yes ma’am!
Brittany recently posted..Load Me Up for Breakfast
Everything is completely different person to person…. no two people are alike and I swear even we evolve from ourselves sometimes. I am a grazer, it is who I am. I usually load up on breakfast though- it keeps me focused at work and not a crazy person. It’s probably best for everyone involved
Happy Tuesday!
Keep being Brittany – we all kind of like her just the way she is
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles recently posted..Grasshopper Pie…. that is healthy!
I used to have massive breakfasts too, but I would feel super sluggish all morning, so I began to kind of equal out every meal. I guess I’m an official grazer heehee
It’s neat to see how people differ!
BTW that breakfast bowl looks like a pool of yumminess!
Alexandra recently posted..Family, Fun, and Food Weekend!
as i sit here with my large bowl of oats + pb + banana, i think it’s safe to say i prefer heftier breakfasts as well!
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted..Good-Buy
It is always good to experiment with different methods and portions size. I feel like I am always learning in this department. Nutrition is about finding the right balance for what is happening that day. I tend to eat a huge breakfast when I am going on a long run, but know some people that cannot tollerate that. On days when I do not run I have to eat a smaller portion because being 44 I can pack on the lbs. like crazy if I’m not very aware of my portion size. Nice post B!
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..A Story and A Custom “Mantra” Bracelet Giveaway
that’s so interesting! i think i’ve always been a smaller breakfast kinda person. i always eat two bowls of cereal but it’s not a crazy amount or packed with tons of calories…but i work best with several smaller meals throughout the day. it’s so interesting how everyone is different about stuff like this
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Pizza with Sweet Potato Socca Crust
Every diet/nutrition plan varies from person to person. We are all made differently and our metabolism work at differentiating speeds. It’s always a great thing knowing what works for YOU. It is your body after all and you know it best! Giving it what it needs when it needs it is important and I’m happy to hear you figured out
I have to say, my all-time favorite meal of the day is Breakfast…unless of course I’m having sushi for dinner (then it’s a tie! lol). p.s. You oatmeal bowl looks super yum!
Kierston recently posted..Moving Right Along….
It’s interesting you’re writing about this today. Just recently, I bought more “hearty” bread than I usually do and I’ve been using a little more peanut butter when I make my “peanut butter and banana on whole wheat” in the morning … which led to me eating probably closer to 500 calories a day, vs. 350-400. In doing so, I found that (in general) I wasn’t as hungry throughout the day.
Then the past couple of days, I probably had smaller calorie breakfasts, and I noticed that I was a lot hungrier during the day! I think I’m going to make a conscious effort to eat more for breakfast in the upcoming days, and see what kind of difference it makes!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated recently posted..Shin Splints Stink.
That’s really interesting that you’re observing something similar at the moment too! Keep me posted, I’d love to hear which kind of breakfast you prefer
Brittany recently posted..“The Fun Stuff”
having a larger breakfast definitely works better for me as well! I find that I’m always on the go with school and if I don’t eat a really filling breakfast I am hungry about an hour later!
chelcie @ chelcie’s food files recently posted..I need your help!
I have always been a breakfast person, I always wake up starving, a nice bowl of oatmeal keeps me full until lunch, unless I workout in the morning then I usually need a snack before lunch like some fruit or Greek yogurt! (by the way does Greek yogurt keep anyone else super full as well??) and then the rest of the day I eat according to when I feel hungry and only eat a small portion so I don’t over do it. Then I try and not eat past 7 and allow my body a 12 hour break to fast every day until I eat again.
I’m the same way. I have to eat a big breakfast or I will be hungry by 10:00, and snack my way to lunch!
Emily @ Perfection Isn’t Happy recently posted..I Thought I Was Traditional
Sounds like you learned something valuable about your body! I’m also a big breakfast eater. I never understand those people who can do an apple and some almonds. I need a LOT of food in the morning.
I think that as much as we need to listen to “health advice” we also need to trust what has been working for us.
Nescett @ bananaoats recently posted..Leftovers. All Day.
its so interesting to see what works for different people…but everybody is different, and i think its an awesome thing to have bigger breakfasts. for me, i differ, but my lunches tend to be my bigger meals. and i’m definitely a snacker/grazer.
i dont calorie count, but i know it was important to my weight loss journey, it can definitely be an eye opening experience!
Theresa recently posted..A non-case of the mondays
DEFINITELY eat a BIG breakfast! My lunch is normally pretty small and then I have a medium size dinner. I think it’s big personal thing … plus a good breakfast jump starts your metabolism
BUT I realized the same thing when I started counting calories after having Emmie … I realized how breakfast heavy my days were. Cset le vie 
Madeline (Food, Fitness, and Family) recently posted..Emmalyne: Month Five
Heavier breakfasts are totally for me too. I can’t fathom how people eat NO breakfast when I pretty much can’t function without food in the morning!
Michelle @ Our Dream, Made Out of Real Things recently posted..Lucky
I tried the same thing a while back – but it only caused me to eat more throughout the day. I love having an incredibly filling and satisfying breakfast! I would say my breakfast is around 400-500 calories a day (just guestimating), and I eat small snacks mid-morning and mid-afternoon (or in between classes if it’s a day I’m teaching doubles), a medium lunch and a smallish dinner.
natalie @ southern fit foodie recently posted..Chobani Giveaway!!!!!
It’s one of those “dont mess with something that isn’t broken” situations
ha
Brittany recently posted..“The Fun Stuff”
I love to eat a big breakfast too! For me, work gets so crazy sometimes and I end up skipping lunch, so if I eat a big breakfast, I know that I’m going to have fuel to power through those days.
Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food recently posted..Pumpkin Spice Bagels
I’m the opposite! I have an average breakfast, medium lunch, and big dinner! (I workout first thing in the morning, and don’t like feeling stuffed!) This works for me
Kelsey @ The Secret Life of Kelsey recently posted..Boundless Nutrition Giveaway WINNER
Your breakfast looks amazing!
Michelle @ Blogitness recently posted..Couponing and Saving Money
i’m glad you realized what works best for YOU because it’s so different for everyone. i’m a huge advocate of having a good breakfast. my breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all right around the same number of calories, but that’s just what works best for me. having a mid morning and mid afternoon snack help me not turn into a ravenous beast in the evening though.
Ashley @ My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries recently posted..Looking Back…
That’s really the downside of calorie counting – it prevents you from listening to what you want on a day to day basis and you end up sticking your body in some preconceived notion of what you wanted/needed days or weeks ago. Things change drastically and it’s never a good idea to stuff yourself into one box, diet-wise! Great that you’re figuring out how to best fuel yourself for right now
I love calorie counting just because I like seeing the numbers. I eat two breakfasts – something small (150-ish) before work and something bigger (250 – 300) at work.
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat recently posted..Whole Wheat Shrimp and Asparagus Orzo “Risotto”
This post is so spot-on – except my BIG meal is lunch. I don’t like to eat a lot in the mornings, and I don’t like having a huge meal before bed, which means I have the most appetite and need the most fuel at lunchtime! But sometimes I forget, or don’t pack a big enough lunch to take to work, and sure enough, I’m starving at the end of the day.
Fabulous post, lady!
Jennie (the gf-gf) recently posted..What’s New, Pussycat?
I need a heavier breakfast as well. I work out right after breakfast so that’s part of it but I think we need a full balanced meal first thing in the AM. Honestly, I think most people would benefit from a larger breakfast but our society is so focused on dinner as the biggest meal. I understand YOU’RE not trying to say this…but I will…calorie counting screws everything up.
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes recently posted..Stop Shaving Your Legs For Early Retirement
I wonder if this is something that would work for me! Although on days that I have had really large breakfasts I still get really hungry the rest of the day…I think I’m just always hungry haha. Maybe I should try it again though. Hope that today you’ll feel better and less snacky after having that delicious looking and filling breakfast!
Lindsay @ In Sweetness and In Health recently posted..Bench Dips
I am definitely the same way! Big breakfasts keep me full so much longer than a large lunch or dinner do. I would say breakfast is my most caloric meal, followed by dinner, and I think lunch is my smallest. I am not a huge snacker, so this works for me!
Jana @ Newly Wife Healthy Life recently posted..Chef’s Night Off
LOVE this post! Everyone is different with their eats … I love medium breakfast, small am snack, medium lunch, medium afternoon snack and small dinners … but I do get munchies at night, so I’m trying to eat more in the mornings to see how it helps .. it’s just hard to change habits
Liz @ Southern Charm recently posted..My First Half Marathon
It’s funny, my boyfriend always comments on the fact that my my breakfasts are huge and he doesn’t understand since my other meals are smaller, but it’s what works for me, too. If I don’t eat a big breakfast in the morning then I always eat more later on, and I like starting the day with a full belly. I’d rather eat a lighter dinner to save room for a treat (hello ice cream) than eat a huge dinner and go to bed uncomfortable.
Although it’s nice to try new things, it’s ultimately best to listen to your body! Way to go to you!
No cutting out that turkey bacon in the near future 
Nikki recently posted..March Madness
Calorie counting totally messed me up in so many ways. Mind & body. I was totally obsessed and never satisfied. I find it SO much better to just listen to your body, exercise, and let it weight/do what it wants. Your body knows the natural weight that it is comfortable with, and when you are just eating healthy and exercising it will get you there
Also, our bodies will tell us what we need if we listen, eat when hungry, and don’t deprive ourselves. Happy to see you back with the big breakfast that YOU love! 
Paige @ Healthy Hits the Spot recently posted..Petite Smoothie Bowl
Awesome post!! A good, healthy b-fast with lots of protein is what does IT for me
Good points!!
Annette@EnjoyYourHealthyLife recently posted..Put The Work In
as someone who wakes up hungry I am in total agreement. if I don’t fill up at breakfast I set myself up to be a snack monster all day long. sometimes I’ll even do two breakfasts, a mini pre-gym breakfast and a larger one post-gym and it definitely prevents me from over-eating later in the day. it probably doesn’t hurt that breakfast food is my favorite and I could pretty much eat it any time of day or night
Kristi @ lifesprinkles recently posted..These Barking Dogs
I definitely prefer a bigger breakfast then lunch and dinner. Especially since Im the type that likes to work out about 1 hour after breakfast! I find tracking food most useful for getting the carb/protein/fat ratio at a good level however for timing I try to just listen to my body. Most of the time that means more food earlier in then day
Great post !
Sarah @ feeedingBrain and body recently posted..The Perfect Workspace
Glad to hear that you’ve figured out what’s right for you! That’s really the most important when it comes to eating! I’ve found that it’s essential for me to have 2 small breakfasts spaced apart- one when I get up and another a few hours into work! That way I make it to lunch without feeling starving!
Emily @ Glitz Glam Granola recently posted..Chocolate Overload
I love doing occasional calorie tracking too (I use FitDay.com but they’re all good) – and if it’s something you can do without it triggering any obsessive tendencies, I think it’s super healthy just to do for a week or two every once in a while to see how your eating patterns are going. I think I eat smaller meals than most people but that’s because I fill up SUPER fast but eat REALLY often. I like to have 6 or so mini meals in a day, with snacks more around 200 cals and meals more around 3-400 cals. That’s just the way I tend to deal best. But my body is interesting too, I always find that without thinking about it if I overdo it one day I eat less the next. Our bodies are pretty powerful, they know what they’re doing!
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I always make sure to add lots of protein, otherwise I crash mid morning.
My go-to? A small portion of overnight oats (I’m playing around with restricting starchy carbs to jump start some fat loss) and lots of veggies in my egg scramble!
Tamara recently posted..Tank top Tuesday: tricks for adding shape to your arms
I also have to have huge calorie dense breakfast, at least 700 calories, usually more. I am breastfeeding though so I am eating for 2! I also get all messed up if i try to skip out on my 4th bowl of cereal in the morning. I will eat twice as much during the day. Our bodies are pretty smart if we listen to the cues!
Lindsay @ Fuel My Family recently posted..Eating and Exercising on Vacation
LOVE this post! I think it is so important to figure out what works for YOUR body! I am still trying to figure out what works best for me as sometimes I need a GIANT breakfast and other days I can barely stand to eat breakfast–I wish my body was little more consistent!! Thanks for sharing this!
Sally Anne @ PaleoRunnerGirl recently posted..AWP Part II and Bad Travel Luck
I’m the exact same way! I used to skip breakfast thinking I was doing my body a favor, but eating a bigger breakfast (especially filling oats) keeps me from wanting to snack all day. I’ve also found that having a protein shake midday keeps away the night time cravings :p
Kristin recently posted..Where the heck have I been?
I think the Breakfast should be the biggest meal of the day, but it should still have a balance of carbs, proteins and fats like every other meal just higher in calories!
Carrie Purchase recently posted..Breaking the Plateau
I like little breakfasts and big dinners, but I know that’s not what’s best for my poor metabolism!
Corrie Anne recently posted..Cheesy Carboliciousness + Yay Boykins!
i just spent 20 minutes reading through your post and all of these wonderful comments! it is really interesting to read how everyone is so different. what works for me (at least lately) is a big breakfast, small lunch, afternoon snack, and big dinner. and then, of course, some small ‘dessert’ type snack before bed. i hate when i eat too big or heavy of a lunch and then have to feel sluggish all afternoon. and i love looking forward to a big dinner!
we tend to eat more as the day goes on. in the morning we have learned to eat less as our digestive systems still waking up. we try to keep our breakfast light so we have success in the bathroom. haha sorry but true. but there are some mornings when we are starving a eat a huge meal. so everyday a little different for us.
Pure2raw twins recently posted..bamboo
I couldn’t agree more! Some people prefer bigger meals at bfast, lunch, or dinner – it is whatever works for YOUR body. All these “diet” plans they write about in magazines are not individualized and people tend to forget that. I am not a big bfast person (I like dinners much more) so I tend to eat most of my calories at dinner. Does it mean it’s wrong? No. It’s just what works for MY body.
Julia {girls with a stethoscope} recently posted..taking a stand against pro-ED websites
By adding big breakfast whole my life changed. Before I was always lacking of energy.
Zinedine recently posted..Dont have time after work
I always have found that bigger breakfasts keep me much fuller all day. I have always been a breakfast eater too, but maybe they aren’t always that big. However it sure does make a difference when they are! Great post!
I’ve also learned that I need to load up in the morning. If I don’t, I snack all day long and then end up eating a huge dinner and feeling super full before bed!
Jillian @ Sprinkle Massacre recently posted..Unorganized, Dirty, and Unhealthy
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