Eat all my calories?

Erinlooo

I'm in desperate of a life style change and decided this app is going to help. So, after all of my meals are logged, says I still have 1000 calories available. I thought I heard someone say I needed to eat all of them. Is this correct?

CaitKilla

You don't have to eat them back if you don't want to. If you're full you're full. But you should be eating at least 1000 calories a day or else you will start to feel really weak and won't be healthy. Eating back calories = slower weight loss though, so if you want to lose weight by a certain time, don't eat back as many calories.

serindipte

It would be helpful to know your stats: Age, height, weight and the loss you set MFP to (2, 1, or .5 lbs/week)

If you have 1000 calories remaining? That sounds like an awful lot, but you didn't happen to mention how many you have as a daily goal, how many are from exercise and how many you've eaten already. All of this would help others give better advice.

Generally speaking, MFP is set up to already include a deficit, so yes, you are meant to eat the total calories allotted. If a large amount are from exercise, then eat back half of the exercise calories as those tend to be over estimated.

nutmegoreo

What is your calorie target and how much have you eaten? There are some complications such as nutritional deficiency which can occur which chronic undereating.

NorthCascades

CaitKilla wrote: »

You don't have to eat them back if you don't want to. If you're full you're full. But you should be eating at least 1000 calories a day or else you will start to feel really weak and won't be healthy. Eating back calories = slower weight loss though, so if you want to lose weight by a certain time, don't eat back as many calories.

Not eating calories back after spending them on exercise = health problems from losing weight too fast.

People have this idea that more of a good thing is always better. It's not true. That's how most people wound up needing to lose weight to begin with.

cwolfman13

I wonder why they call it a goal?

amartinkat

When you don't eat all your calories it may be better if you are trying to lose weight because you may not be eating as much (which you would possibly gain more weight if you do)
I personally started on the weekend and haven't used all my calories on any of the days. Some days it may not be necessary to use all but you may be at a party or out with friends or family and you could take a break that day or use all them. I usually have 100-200 left.

cwolfman13

amartinkat wrote: »

When you don't eat all your calories it may be better if you are trying to lose weight because you may not be eating as much (which you would possibly gain more weight if you do)
I personally started on the weekend and haven't used all my calories on any of the days. Some days it may not be necessary to use all but you may be at a party or out with friends or family and you could take a break that day or use all them.

Your calorie GOAL is your weight loss deficit...it's not a maintenance level of calories...you put in your stats and say you want to lose X Lbs per week and MFP gives you a GOAL to accomplish just that. You don't gain weight eating to your deficit calorie target because that's mathematically impossible.

Your goal is already a huge deficit from your maintenance...it's really not particularly healthy to create even wider deficits.

CaitKilla

NorthCascades wrote: »

CaitKilla wrote: »

You don't have to eat them back if you don't want to. If you're full you're full. But you should be eating at least 1000 calories a day or else you will start to feel really weak and won't be healthy. Eating back calories = slower weight loss though, so if you want to lose weight by a certain time, don't eat back as many calories.

Not eating calories back after spending them on exercise = health problems from losing weight too fast.

People have this idea that more of a good thing is always better. It's not true. That's how most people wound up needing to lose weight to begin with.

Idk, some people say not to eat back your exercise calories As long as you eat over 1000 or 1200 I think it's fine.

marm1962

Sure the heck wish I could have 1000 calories left!

sammyliftsandeats

Get and use a food scale to weigh all your solids. Do not guesstimate portions. Use cups for liquids.

If you are using accurate entries and are still under your calorie goal by 1000, then re-evaluate your food. Add more calorie dense items such as nuts, cheese, and avocado to fill in the gap without filling up too much.

You need adequate fuel for your body. By underfeeding it, you risk a host of health problems such as muscle and hair loss, fatigue, unpleasant moods, and loss of libido.

As stated above, the goal that MFP gave you already gave you a deficit. If you input your stats correctly and chose a reasonable rate of loss, then it's done all the work for you. All you need to do is track your food and eat to your goal. If you are under one day here or there, it is generally OK as you will probably make it up in time but it is really important to be eating enough. You can't run a car on an empty tank.

kimny72

CaitKilla wrote: »

NorthCascades wrote: »

CaitKilla wrote: »

You don't have to eat them back if you don't want to. If you're full you're full. But you should be eating at least 1000 calories a day or else you will start to feel really weak and won't be healthy. Eating back calories = slower weight loss though, so if you want to lose weight by a certain time, don't eat back as many calories.

Not eating calories back after spending them on exercise = health problems from losing weight too fast.

People have this idea that more of a good thing is always better. It's not true. That's how most people wound up needing to lose weight to begin with.

Idk, some people say not to eat back your exercise calories As long as you eat over 1000 or 1200 I think it's fine.

1. OP didn't say anything about exercise calories.
2. 1200 is fine for some people, but you have no idea what OP's height and weight is. You need to be pretty small and relatively inactive to get the fuel your body needs from 1200 cals. It's dangerous to make a blanket statement that it's fine for everyone.

OP, the calorie goal MFP gave you already includes the deficit you need to lose the amount of weight you chose. If you are routinely eating 1000 calories less and aren't hungry, you are most likely eating more than you think.

If you would provide your stats (height, weight, age, goal, etc) and/or open your diary, you would get better answers