Should I eat more?
Options
NadNight
Posts: 794 Member
I'm not great at logging my food, I generally make a rough estimate at what I'm eating and use the basic rule of filling up on fruit and veg, eating when I feel hungry and stopping when I'm no longer hungry (smaller portions but with the option to go back for seconds if it wasn't enough). The last couple of days I have actually weighed and logged my foods and it's only coming out at just over 1000 calories which seems WAY too low.
An example would be:
Breakfast- 40g rolled oats, 100 ml 1% milk, 1/2 cup strawberries, 1/2 cup blueberries, handful of mixed nuts
Lunch- 30g quinoa, 80g flavoured pork loin, 1 bag of steamed mix veg (57 calories)
Dinner- Tortilla (medium, 130 cal), 1 flavoured chicken breast, 1/2 chopped pepper, 1/2 red onion, 4 cherry tomatoes.
Snacks- nectarine, 120g Skyr strawberry yoghurt.
I don't feel hungry or weak and obviously it's easily remedied (eat more!) but should I listen to my body which feels healthy or am I likely to do long term damage and should follow calorie guidelines and eat larger quantities?
An example would be:
Breakfast- 40g rolled oats, 100 ml 1% milk, 1/2 cup strawberries, 1/2 cup blueberries, handful of mixed nuts
Lunch- 30g quinoa, 80g flavoured pork loin, 1 bag of steamed mix veg (57 calories)
Dinner- Tortilla (medium, 130 cal), 1 flavoured chicken breast, 1/2 chopped pepper, 1/2 red onion, 4 cherry tomatoes.
Snacks- nectarine, 120g Skyr strawberry yoghurt.
I don't feel hungry or weak and obviously it's easily remedied (eat more!) but should I listen to my body which feels healthy or am I likely to do long term damage and should follow calorie guidelines and eat larger quantities?
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Replies
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If you are not hungry do not eat. If you're trying to lose weight get a digital scale. Measuring solids in cups is often way off. You seem to be eating pretty healthy and say you feel good. I think you are fine, but I always recommended a yearly visit to the doctor after 30, to get blood work done so if you have say a high cholesterol count you can address it early before any real damage is done.1
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jasummers76 wrote: »If you are not hungry do not eat. If you're trying to lose weight get a digital scale. Measuring solids in cups is often way off. You seem to be eating pretty healthy and say you feel good. I think you are fine, but I always recommended a yearly visit to the doctor after 30, to get blood work done so if you have say a high cholesterol count you can address it early before any real damage is done.
Not being hungry is not a sign that she's eating enough.
OP, yes you should be eating more. 1200 calories minimum, and likely more depending on your stats. Add in some fats to your day to get those calories up.3 -
how long have you been eating 1000 cals?
what are your stats?
how much weight have you lost so far?0 -
Every so often (every month or so) I just am not very hungry and eat maybe around that much one day. But honestly, I usually use it towards my weekly deficit and enjoy a few beers or wine with dinner that week. I agree with @TavistockToad - we need some more information, but in general, I try to make sure I hit at least 1200 even on my lower days.
Out of curiosity, it looks like you eat pork and chicken (yum) but I don't see any oils listed to cook them with (which you might not have used, but sometimes people do forget that they use some EVOO or butter here and there and those calories do add up and could easily get you to 1200 without changing your routine too much).0 -
jasummers76 wrote: »If you are not hungry do not eat. If you're trying to lose weight get a digital scale. Measuring solids in cups is often way off. You seem to be eating pretty healthy and say you feel good. I think you are fine, but I always recommended a yearly visit to the doctor after 30, to get blood work done so if you have say a high cholesterol count you can address it early before any real damage is done.
Not being hungry is not a sign that she's eating enough.
OP, yes you should be eating more. 1200 calories minimum, and likely more depending on your stats. Add in some fats to your day to get those calories up.[/quote]
Oops, @Malibu927 said that already lol >.<0 -
I disagree with the 1200 cal rule for all people. By what she posted she is eating protein veggies and fruit. She is not hungry, She is not lacking energy. But people are saying force herself to eat. Unless there is a underlying medical issue or eating disorder I think she is fine. I did say to get that yearly checkup. A multivitamin/mineral supplement would not hurt.0
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If I am not mistaken, you are underweight correct OP? You should at least be aiming to maintain (if not gain) .. definitely eat more.0
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TavistockToad wrote: »how long have you been eating 1000 cals?
what are your stats?
how much weight have you lost so far?
I honestly don't know how long I've been eating around 1000 calories for but I started cutting back on the pizzas, takeaways and junk food in April and it's gone from there and I'm at a point where I eat similarly to what I said in my first post most of the time apart from birthdays/special occasions/when I'm on holiday. So given that it was gradual maybe no more than a couple of months?
Stats are: age 20, height 5 ft 6, weight 110 lbs (that is underweight but I look chubby over 125 so I think I'm small framed, on my profile there's an image that shows my full body which was taken when I weighed 109 lbs and I don't think it looks unhealthy)
So far I've lost about 10 lbs since April with my highest ever weight being 130 lbs0 -
jasummers76 wrote: »I disagree with the 1200 cal rule for all people. By what she posted she is eating protein veggies and fruit. She is not hungry, She is not lacking energy. But people are saying force herself to eat. Unless there is a underlying medical issue or eating disorder I think she is fine. I did say to get that yearly checkup. A multivitamin/mineral supplement would not hurt.
Unless she is shorter then 1000 calories is not enough. Undereating for a prolonged period of time can cause muscle loss, hair loss, dry/brittle nails, fatigue, hormonal imbalances (especially ones that can disrupt her menstrual cycle), organ weakness, and so on.3 -
TavistockToad wrote: »how long have you been eating 1000 cals?
what are your stats?
how much weight have you lost so far?
I honestly don't know how long I've been eating around 1000 calories for but I started cutting back on the pizzas, takeaways and junk food in April and it's gone from there and I'm at a point where I eat similarly to what I said in my first post most of the time apart from birthdays/special occasions/when I'm on holiday. So given that it was gradual maybe no more than a couple of months?
Stats are: age 20, height 5 ft 6, weight 110 lbs (that is underweight but I look chubby over 125 so I think I'm small framed, on my profile there's an image that shows my full body which was taken when I weighed 109 lbs and I don't think it looks unhealthy)
So far I've lost about 10 lbs since April with my highest ever weight being 130 lbs
you're underweight, so at the very least you should be eating at maintenance. which is not 1000 cals.
the amount you're eating is unhealthy and will cause you some damage over time if you keep it up. set MFP to maintenance and start increasing your cals.1 -
jasummers76 wrote: »I disagree with the 1200 cal rule for all people. By what she posted she is eating protein veggies and fruit. She is not hungry, She is not lacking energy. But people are saying force herself to eat. Unless there is a underlying medical issue or eating disorder I think she is fine. I did say to get that yearly checkup. A multivitamin/mineral supplement would not hurt.
Unless she is shorter then 1000 calories is not enough. Undereating for a prolonged period of time can cause muscle loss, hair loss, dry/brittle nails, fatigue, hormonal imbalances (especially ones that can disrupt her menstrual cycle), organ weakness, and so on.
I agree, but her metabolic rate along with a host of other factors can make her be able to be healthy at her caoloric intake. But with anything I always suggest talking to a doctor who will likely take a blood draw. I am just speaking as a person who has many small framed light weight female relatives who are similar.0 -
jasummers76 wrote: »jasummers76 wrote: »I disagree with the 1200 cal rule for all people. By what she posted she is eating protein veggies and fruit. She is not hungry, She is not lacking energy. But people are saying force herself to eat. Unless there is a underlying medical issue or eating disorder I think she is fine. I did say to get that yearly checkup. A multivitamin/mineral supplement would not hurt.
Unless she is shorter then 1000 calories is not enough. Undereating for a prolonged period of time can cause muscle loss, hair loss, dry/brittle nails, fatigue, hormonal imbalances (especially ones that can disrupt her menstrual cycle), organ weakness, and so on.
I agree, but her metabolic rate along with a host of other factors can make her be able to be healthy at her caoloric intake. But with anything I always suggest talking to a doctor who will likely take a blood draw. I am just speaking as a person who has many small framed light weight female relatives who are similar.
She's underweight and tallish. Why would an underweight person need to be eating only 1000 calories3 -
singingflutelady wrote: »jasummers76 wrote: »jasummers76 wrote: »I disagree with the 1200 cal rule for all people. By what she posted she is eating protein veggies and fruit. She is not hungry, She is not lacking energy. But people are saying force herself to eat. Unless there is a underlying medical issue or eating disorder I think she is fine. I did say to get that yearly checkup. A multivitamin/mineral supplement would not hurt.
Unless she is shorter then 1000 calories is not enough. Undereating for a prolonged period of time can cause muscle loss, hair loss, dry/brittle nails, fatigue, hormonal imbalances (especially ones that can disrupt her menstrual cycle), organ weakness, and so on.
I agree, but her metabolic rate along with a host of other factors can make her be able to be healthy at her caoloric intake. But with anything I always suggest talking to a doctor who will likely take a blood draw. I am just speaking as a person who has many small framed light weight female relatives who are similar.
She's underweight and tallish. Why would an underweight person need to be eating only 1000 calories
She said she is not trying to only eat 1000 that would be totally different. She said she is not hungry or tired. I said get to get a physical. But people advising she has to eat more I disagree with.1 -
jasummers76 wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »jasummers76 wrote: »jasummers76 wrote: »I disagree with the 1200 cal rule for all people. By what she posted she is eating protein veggies and fruit. She is not hungry, She is not lacking energy. But people are saying force herself to eat. Unless there is a underlying medical issue or eating disorder I think she is fine. I did say to get that yearly checkup. A multivitamin/mineral supplement would not hurt.
Unless she is shorter then 1000 calories is not enough. Undereating for a prolonged period of time can cause muscle loss, hair loss, dry/brittle nails, fatigue, hormonal imbalances (especially ones that can disrupt her menstrual cycle), organ weakness, and so on.
I agree, but her metabolic rate along with a host of other factors can make her be able to be healthy at her caoloric intake. But with anything I always suggest talking to a doctor who will likely take a blood draw. I am just speaking as a person who has many small framed light weight female relatives who are similar.
She's underweight and tallish. Why would an underweight person need to be eating only 1000 calories
She said she is not trying to only eat 1000 that would be totally different. She said she is not hungry or tired. I said get to get a physical. But people advising she has to eat more I disagree with.
But she is only eating 1000 cals... she hasn't said anything about trying to eat more...0 -
jasummers76 wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »jasummers76 wrote: »jasummers76 wrote: »I disagree with the 1200 cal rule for all people. By what she posted she is eating protein veggies and fruit. She is not hungry, She is not lacking energy. But people are saying force herself to eat. Unless there is a underlying medical issue or eating disorder I think she is fine. I did say to get that yearly checkup. A multivitamin/mineral supplement would not hurt.
Unless she is shorter then 1000 calories is not enough. Undereating for a prolonged period of time can cause muscle loss, hair loss, dry/brittle nails, fatigue, hormonal imbalances (especially ones that can disrupt her menstrual cycle), organ weakness, and so on.
I agree, but her metabolic rate along with a host of other factors can make her be able to be healthy at her caoloric intake. But with anything I always suggest talking to a doctor who will likely take a blood draw. I am just speaking as a person who has many small framed light weight female relatives who are similar.
She's underweight and tallish. Why would an underweight person need to be eating only 1000 calories
She said she is not trying to only eat 1000 that would be totally different. She said she is not hungry or tired. I said get to get a physical. But people advising she has to eat more I disagree with.
Give it time.. At OP's height and weight and eating so little, those symptoms will eventually appear, along with a host of other more serious health concerns.
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jasummers76 wrote: »singingflutelady wrote: »jasummers76 wrote: »jasummers76 wrote: »I disagree with the 1200 cal rule for all people. By what she posted she is eating protein veggies and fruit. She is not hungry, She is not lacking energy. But people are saying force herself to eat. Unless there is a underlying medical issue or eating disorder I think she is fine. I did say to get that yearly checkup. A multivitamin/mineral supplement would not hurt.
Unless she is shorter then 1000 calories is not enough. Undereating for a prolonged period of time can cause muscle loss, hair loss, dry/brittle nails, fatigue, hormonal imbalances (especially ones that can disrupt her menstrual cycle), organ weakness, and so on.
I agree, but her metabolic rate along with a host of other factors can make her be able to be healthy at her caoloric intake. But with anything I always suggest talking to a doctor who will likely take a blood draw. I am just speaking as a person who has many small framed light weight female relatives who are similar.
She's underweight and tallish. Why would an underweight person need to be eating only 1000 calories
She said she is not trying to only eat 1000 that would be totally different. She said she is not hungry or tired. I said get to get a physical. But people advising she has to eat more I disagree with.
For people who were overweight (and overeating) for awhile, or people who have an unhealthy relationship with food, hunger signals can be screwed up to the point of being useless. I'm not saying this about the OP, but anorexics will say they aren't hungry and are eating healthy, so does that mean it's ok?
It's also very possible to do some damage undereating before your body asks for help loudly enough for some people to hear.
If listening to our hunger signals worked, most of us wouldn't be here. There are very very few small, sedentary, older women who honestly don't need more than 1200 calories. There are far too many young women out there who undereat for long periods of time, convincing themselves they aren't hungry and are healthy, never happy with how they look or how thin they get.
OP, try to get to 1200 cals. Did you aim for the weight you are currently at? What is your goal now?2
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