Went and saw a nutritionist... uh what?

lulz14
lulz14 Posts: 36 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi guys,

So I went and saw a nutritionist today, my exercise is pretty good and wanted help on the diet side of things.

I know I eat way too much pasta but did not expect the news she gave me!

Essentially my diet would be: (similarish to what I eat now except for the dinners)

Breakfast:
Greek yoghurt
Museli
Fruit

Lunch: Salad with protein

Dinner; Protein with unlimited veg

No pasta except once or twice a week with half a cup of brown rice, some wholewheat pasta

This totals MAXIMUM 900 calories, if that. At the moment in the last three months or so I've been averaging approx 1300 cals, which I thought was about right. I voiced this concern to her, and she said it was okay, that eating this amount of calories was RIGHT for me, and should be around 1000 or less.

I'm female, 5'8, approx 120kgs at the start now around 110kg. I workout approx 3 - 6 times a week, with a PT so cardio/weights, pretty intense exercise as I am pretty strong, e.g. I leg press 3 sets 10 reps 130kg... 30mins cardio each session.

I know I have a fair amount of weight to lose but I'm not 300kg, I mean really... Does this sound right?

**Edit: I have another appointment in three weeks, was just going to try it out and see how things go but at that rate I'll have lost maybe 12kg in three weeks
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Replies

  • gsager
    gsager Posts: 977 Member
    No, this doesn't sound right at all.
  • jodieh06
    jodieh06 Posts: 49
    that sounds sort of ridiculous, but i'm not a nutritionist..?
  • lollypop114
    lollypop114 Posts: 31
    Putting your details into http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/ has shown that with only light exercise your daily calorie intake to lose weight should be around 2110 So she really has given you a drastic cut from what you need to lose weight healthily.

    Try doing what I have just done for you, work out your BMR (The minimum amount you need to fuel your body) and then you TDEE (The amount you need to fuel your activity) and then cut 20% off to reach the 2110 mark. It means you won't go hungry but you will lose FAT not overall MASS. I want to lose fat to look better, but I would rather not lose lean muscle mass with it.

    Hope that helps a little. Any questions, PM me.

    Lauren
  • PlayerHatinDogooder
    PlayerHatinDogooder Posts: 1,018 Member
    900 calories is not nearly enough even if you were sitting around all day.

    Let alone with 3-6 workout sessions a week.

    Also the difference between whole wheat pasta and regular pasta is pretty much irrelevant.

    In short: I wouldn't return.
  • KimAggie04
    KimAggie04 Posts: 165 Member
    My sister is a dietitian and everything she tells me is opposite of that. I would get a second opinion.
  • kennie2
    kennie2 Posts: 1,170 Member
    maybe you have a problem with processing carbs or something? hence why she put you on that maybe?
    you should have talked to her about thinking that this is ridiculous, she probably would have justified the reason she had given you such a diet plan
  • PlayerHatinDogooder
    PlayerHatinDogooder Posts: 1,018 Member
    that sounds sort of ridiculous, but i'm not a nutritionist..?

    Stick a sign on your door that says you are and then BAM you become one.

    Nutritionist is a very loosely guarded term. Dietitians on the other hand need qualifications that take a considerable amount of effort.
  • lulz14
    lulz14 Posts: 36 Member
    No need to be rude. I imagine a fair few people on here have sought expert advice before and wondering if it's normal because this small amount of calories goes against everything I've read about.

    Was asking if someone has had a similar experience and if it's safe or healthy to eat so few calories.
  • Montarosa456
    Montarosa456 Posts: 133
    I am really surprised a nutritionist advised you to eat under 1,000 calories - Okay I'm not a nutritional expert but that would appear really rather low.
    Are you loosing on 1,300 cals? If so I'd stick with that and if you eat 1,300 cals of mixed healthy food you can eat a reasonable amount including pasta or if your low on calories pasta alternatives such as the skinny noodles etc..
  • SweetpeaHu
    SweetpeaHu Posts: 45 Member
    I see a dietician and I'm only 5ft tall. My max calories should be 1310 calories/day. I was eating less than 1100 calories and wasnt losing any weight, but when I increased my calories the weight actually came off!
  • Skinny_minny_mo
    Skinny_minny_mo Posts: 1,272 Member
    Sounds wrong.
  • Skinny_minny_mo
    Skinny_minny_mo Posts: 1,272 Member
    Why the hell are you asking a forum of unqualified nobodies?

    Basically you're wanting us to tell you something different to the person you paid to give expert advice. Sure, OK, sounds like rubbish, eat a load more.

    By the way I have no idea what I'm talking about. Happy?


    woah. angry person alert!!

    here have a flower :flowerforyou:
  • Lysander666
    Lysander666 Posts: 275 Member
    Sure, OK. Just be careful what you read up on. There's a load of conflicting information out there on the internet. A load of people who say they know stuff but don't understand it, and a load of expert articles which are anything but.

    For instance, we are all told not, under any circumstances, to eat below 1200 a day. However, my wife is very petite and she ate under that and it worked. So everyone is different.

    Your nutritionist has had an in-depth discussion for you based on your body, your plan and needs. Which is better than any random over the internet. I would stick with it.
  • Amellej
    Amellej Posts: 197 Member
    I'm no pro when it comes to nutrition but that sounds wrong
  • JayKay60
    JayKay60 Posts: 15 Member
    Hi there! First off, Lysander666 is just being provocative and we should pay no heed....

    Secondly, I also think you should get a second opinion. This might sound like a funny question but how old was that nutritionist? Because when I started out dieting in the 80s we would get told to eat ridiculously low amounts of calories and over the years I have done that, lost weight, got starving hungry, and gained it all back and more. I'm now way heavier than I was then! It has become more evident over the years that having a very low cal diet like that is counterproductive, if not downright wrong! You need to eat healthily but not restrict yourself so much especially if you are working out.

    Personally, it's taken me a loooooong time (I'm 53 now) to realise that I do not do well with wheat because it triggers hunger in me. By the same token I have found it better to go cold turkey with the sugar and other refined crap, although nutritionists say you can have a little of everything in moderation. A little just triggers a whole lot of cravings in me so I have given up and you know what? I don't crave the stuff any more. It didn't even take that long to kick the habit.

    I have worked for a diabetes specialist for many years, and she always said that eating low GI is the best thing to keep your blood sugars level, which in turn cuts the cravings and enables you to stick to a healthy diet. I guess I'm just stubborn and didn't want to believe her. She was right lol. I found the low GI books confusing, but I found a book called the GL diet (GI is glycaemic index, GL is glycaemic load) which is MUCH easier to understand and put into practice.

    Sorry for the long spiel, but I hope that helps a tiny bit! All the best :)
  • ron2e
    ron2e Posts: 606
    Why the hell are you asking a forum of unqualified nobodies?

    Basically you're wanting us to tell you something different to the person you paid to give expert advice. Sure, OK, sounds like rubbish, eat a load more.

    By the way I have no idea what I'm talking about. Happy?

    Basically a nutritionist can call themselves a nutritionist without any qualifications whatsover therefore their advice should be taken with a pinch of salt as they will vary from very good to very bad. A dietician is someone who has been medically trained by the way. That's why, in the UK at least, dieticians are the ones who work in hospitals. Nutritionists are the on the fringe new age, alternative therapies, quackery side of things.

    So she's asking a forum of unqualified nobodies to validate what an unqualified nobody told her.
  • Showmm
    Showmm Posts: 406 Member
    Sure, lots of people here know what they are talking about (not saying I'm one of them). Assuming you went to a qualified nutritionist, they probably know what they are talking about too. What aren't you telling us?

    Did she say to limit it to 900 calories or is that the number which you think you'll hit with this plan?
    What are the aims with this eating plan? Do you want to lose a lot of weight quickly to jump start things? Who decided this?

    More information required before pronouncing judgement.
  • MeanSophieCat
    MeanSophieCat Posts: 200 Member
    I second what someone said above - if your nutritionist is not a Registered Dietician, I would find another one who is. Many times, so you see quick success, people who are more concerned with you continuing to pay them - and not your continued success - will have you eat too little for quick weight (not necessarily fat) loss. Then, when you plateau, they give you all sorts of reasons why it happened and you continue to pay them to try to lose more - they helped you lose weight quick, right?!?

    A persona-ish story. You are using kg - so I'm assuming you aren't in the US - in the US there is a company called Medical Weight Loss. They do "medical" type things like have you work with a nutritionist, draw blood, and give you shots - but the whole thing is a load of crap. My mother-in-law went there. She needed to lose about 30lbs. The first three days she could eat nothing but red meat and salad greens. Then, she switched to a low-carb diet of 800-900 cals a day. She was burning at least 500 cals 5 days per week in exercise. She lost weight quickly but then plateaued 10lbs from goal. They then told her a bunch of BS including that she needed to eat the same meals every day to "trick" her body past the plateau. WTF?

    After cutting out exercise and occassionally eating more food (due to feeling like crap after eating so little for so long) she finally lost the last 10lbs. Immediately after stopping the program and eating normally again, she gained it back.
  • FitWithMae
    FitWithMae Posts: 68 Member
    If you seek nutrition advice from a professional you should go see a registered dietitian. They have a masters in dietetics and are registered with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. You can search for one in your area by going to eatright.org. :)
  • LaLouve_RK
    LaLouve_RK Posts: 899 Member
    Its a short term thing.. I did this minus the muesli, was giving by my trainer.
    Im alive today, and had plenty of energy when I did this diet. I dont see why so much offended people...
  • Flab2fitfi
    Flab2fitfi Posts: 1,349 Member
    I'm 196 lbs - around 90KG and I eat around 1600 - 1700 calories a day and losing.

    If I went down to 900 i would lose weight fast but would not be able to live.

    I would ask what qualifications this person has and if she is getting paid to give you advice. unfortunately there are unscrupulous people out there who will give advice that benefits them.

    You start losing lots of weight you will go back and keep using her advice but if you are only losing a little you are less likely to return.

    I'm sure others out here could also find studies that show those who lose weight to fast tend to put it all back on while those who take it slow and steady dont.

    Well done on what you have lost do far - 10 kg in three months is a great loss.
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    Sure, OK. Just be careful what you read up on. There's a load of conflicting information out there on the internet. A load of people who say they know stuff but don't understand it, and a load of expert articles which are anything but.

    For instance, we are all told not, under any circumstances, to eat below 1200 a day. However, my wife is very petite and she ate under that and it worked. So everyone is different.

    Your nutritionist has had an in-depth discussion for you based on your body, your plan and needs. Which is better than any random over the internet. I would stick with it.

    I'd ignore both this person and your nutritionist. 900 is a ridiculously small amount, I'm 5'2 and losing in 1600 cals a day. If you go back ask them exactly what their qualifications are, I bet they don't have any. If you are losing on what you are doing stick with that, thought I bet you could lose eating a lot more tbh.
  • babydiego87
    babydiego87 Posts: 905 Member
    Why the hell are you asking a forum of unqualified nobodies?

    Basically you're wanting us to tell you something different to the person you paid to give expert advice. Sure, OK, sounds like rubbish, eat a load more.

    By the way I have no idea what I'm talking about. Happy?
    Lol this.
  • PosterPens
    PosterPens Posts: 172 Member
    do you have a tremendous amount of weight to lose? also remember, not all nutritionalists are the same.. get another opinion.
  • beadalicious
    beadalicious Posts: 34 Member
    Carbs are ALOT of a persons daily calorie count. I have issues eating processed carbs, so when I am actually eating what I am supposed to eat I stay satisfied around 1000 calories or less. If your not full, just keep eating vegetables or whole grains until you are satisfied. But I agree that a second opinion never hurts. Everyone is different.
  • Charlottesometimes23
    Charlottesometimes23 Posts: 687 Member
    Why the hell are you asking a forum of unqualified nobodies?

    Basically you're wanting us to tell you something different to the person you paid to give expert advice. Sure, OK, sounds like rubbish, eat a load more.

    By the way I have no idea what I'm talking about. Happy?

    Basically a nutritionist can call themselves a nutritionist without any qualifications whatsover therefore their advice should be taken with a pinch of salt as they will vary from very good to very bad. A dietician is someone who has been medically trained by the way. That's why, in the UK at least, dieticians are the ones who work in hospitals. Nutritionists are the on the fringe new age, alternative therapies, quackery side of things.

    So she's asking a forum of unqualified nobodies to validate what an unqualified nobody told her.

    How do you know that we are all unqualified nobodies?

    I agree with the first part though.
  • Kymmu
    Kymmu Posts: 1,650 Member
    Why don't you try it and see how it goes- You'll survive it till the next appointment.
    This is the only way to really know!
  • ron2e
    ron2e Posts: 606
    Why the hell are you asking a forum of unqualified nobodies?

    Basically you're wanting us to tell you something different to the person you paid to give expert advice. Sure, OK, sounds like rubbish, eat a load more.

    By the way I have no idea what I'm talking about. Happy?

    Basically a nutritionist can call themselves a nutritionist without any qualifications whatsover therefore their advice should be taken with a pinch of salt as they will vary from very good to very bad. A dietician is someone who has been medically trained by the way. That's why, in the UK at least, dieticians are the ones who work in hospitals. Nutritionists are the on the fringe new age, alternative therapies, quackery side of things.

    So she's asking a forum of unqualified nobodies to validate what an unqualified nobody told her.

    How do you know that we are all unqualified nobodies?

    I agree with the first part though.

    I don't know, but I was using the previous poster's description. I'm sure there are lots of qualified people around here. I for example have a black belt in Origami...........
  • Charlottesometimes23
    Charlottesometimes23 Posts: 687 Member
    ^Origami? Nice. I'm impressed. :laugh:
  • nikilis
    nikilis Posts: 2,305 Member
    Sure, OK. Just be careful what you read up on. There's a load of conflicting information out there on the internet. A load of people who say they know stuff but don't understand it, and a load of expert articles which are anything but.

    For instance, we are all told not, under any circumstances, to eat below 1200 a day. However, my wife is very petite and she ate under that and it worked. So everyone is different.

    Your nutritionist has had an in-depth discussion for you based on your body, your plan and needs. Which is better than any random over the internet. I would stick with it.

    1000 or below is very low. 800 and below is known as a VLCD which has very bad health problems that can come along with it, and usually is only used in obese patients under the supervision of a doctor.

    if your wife is petite, then its totally possible for her to eat below 1200.

    but, this girl is

    "5'8, approx 120kgs at the start now around 110kg. I workout approx 3 - 6 times a week, with a PT so cardio/weights, pretty inten"se exercise as I am pretty strong, e.g. I leg press 3 sets 10 reps 130kg... 30mins cardio each session.

    you really need a second opinion. cause that doesn't sound good to me at all. the only thing that may be a factor is if you have a medical condition caused by your weight that needs urgent weightloss to rectify. your bmi suggests the possibility of this.

    SECOND OPINION!! FROM A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL!

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