FIT-AND-HAPPY
It is definitely "live and learn," isn't it? Occasionally, our life circumstances requires that meals be spread too far apart. That is when a healthy snack has been a must for me. (Getting the arsenal of healthy snacks was my challenge, as I snacked on chocolate covered M&Ms and cookies for years before deciding to take charge of my eating.) I love nuts and have learned to put almonds at the top of my nut list. 22 almonds = 1 ounce = 170 calories. 11 almonds = 85 calories, or about the same as a small cookie. I've discovered that a half ounce of almonds, or an ounce of cheese, or a small fruit (apple, plum, clementine, etc.) are highly nutritious, extremely satisfying, AND will stop a desire to eat the wrong things (and stop low blood sugar jitters)dead in their tracks.
You're on the right track. If you'll put your "extremist" tendencies toward counting calories for the whole day, and realizing that UNDEReating isn't acceptable either, in other words, not letting yourself go to bed unless you've eaten at least 1250-1300 calories, then it is a little easier to eat healthy calories in a way that your blood sugar doesn't dip too low, or so that you don't get so hungry that you accidentally binge.