Protein and calories

bugintn

Is it possible to get 70g of protein in on a 900 calorie diet?

Lietchi

Technically yes, protein has 4 calories per gram. But I strongly disagree with anyone eating only 900 calories a day, unless medically supervised - starving yourself is a bad, bad idea.

MaltedTea

Is this a trick question? Why such a low number of calories? To answer your question...

Mathematically: yes
Safely: unlikely (unless followed by a licensed health professional)
Enjoyably: no

heybales

bugintn wrote: »

Is it possible to get 70g of protein in on a 900 calorie diet?

When the Dr put you on that they should have spelled out exactly how you are to get the nutrients in that are required on so little calories.
Protein is an important macro, but not the only thing from a diet to keep you healthy.

That's exactly why 1200 is recommended minimum merely for the aspect of safety - because people don't have the skills in normal eating to get enough nutrients in - and when giving the body minimum is exactly when it's so important to.

Shoot - people gaining weight by eating too much can't even get nutrients right many times, no wonder lack of skills on the low end.

janejellyroll

Sure. Protein has 4 calories per gram, so 70 grams of protein would be just 280 calories. The real problem is that leaves you just 620 calories for everything else. So you'd be meeting your protein goals, but almost certainly failing to meet the rest of your nutritional goals.

Also, unless you're in a very specific and urgent situation, 900 calories is way, way less than you need to run your body. So even if you somehow managed to figure out a way to meet your nutritional needs, you'd be shorting yourself on the energy you need just to keep your heart beating, your hormones in sync, and your nerves firing.

AnnPT77

Sure, technically, but it's a terrible idea for virtually everyone. (I'm uncertain about calorie needs for people with genetic dwarfism, in comas, after amputation of multiple limbs, or equivalent - they could be exceptions).

I see that you've had an MFP account since 2013. Has this sort of thing worked for you in the past?

I'd suggest (strongly suggest!) reading this:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10761904/under-1200-for-weight-loss/p1

bugintn

Thank you all for the replies. I have a lot of pounds to lose, the RD actually recommended 500 calories to start with 70-90 grams of protein. Nothing else on the other macros. I can’t seem to find a good balance of protein without going over the fat numbers. I do have to take vitamins and have blood work every 6 mos. I am not an athlete, but do strength and basic cardio so I doubt I overwork the amount I take in.

DancingMoosie

It seems like you'd basically need to eat chicken breast and non-starchy vegetables...

JessAndreia

bugintn wrote: »

Thank you all for the replies. I have a lot of pounds to lose, the RD actually recommended 500 calories to start with 70-90 grams of protein. Nothing else on the other macros. I can’t seem to find a good balance of protein without going over the fat numbers. I do have to take vitamins and have blood work every 6 mos. I am not an athlete, but do strength and basic cardio so I doubt I overwork the amount I take in.

WHAT?! You sure this person is a legit registered dietitian?

AnnPT77

bugintn wrote: »

Thank you all for the replies. I have a lot of pounds to lose, the RD actually recommended 500 calories to start with 70-90 grams of protein. Nothing else on the other macros. I can’t seem to find a good balance of protein without going over the fat numbers. I do have to take vitamins and have blood work every 6 mos. I am not an athlete, but do strength and basic cardio so I doubt I overwork the amount I take in.

How many pounds to lose? Are you sure you understood the RD correctly, as in 500 calories to eat, vs. 500 calorie deficit, for example?

I've heard of very extreme diets (intended to be doctor supervised, very closely) with something like 800 calories for a very, very limited time period (maybe 2 weeks), or diets with 500 calories 2 days a week but maintenance calories on the other days. I have never heard of a diet recommended where someone was supposed to eat 500 calories indefinitely (or even for 6 months).

AshHeartsJesus

If that is correct that dr is a cruel person. I don't care how many lbs you have to lose that is insane and you won't be able to keep it up which will cause you to binge and gain more on top of what you are already looking to lose. What is your health? Are you active at all or bed ridden?

heybales

bugintn wrote: »

Thank you all for the replies. I have a lot of pounds to lose, the RD actually recommended 500 calories to start with 70-90 grams of protein. Nothing else on the other macros. I can’t seem to find a good balance of protein without going over the fat numbers. I do have to take vitamins and have blood work every 6 mos. I am not an athlete, but do strength and basic cardio so I doubt I overwork the amount I take in.

Either I trust you heard the 70-90 g protein correctly, or I trust you heard the 500 eating level correctly.

I'm betting the 70-90 was correct, and 500 cal deficit was correct - not overall eating level.

And did you tell the RD that you would be exercising?

A person needing a 500 cal eating level isn't going to be doing much in the way of cardio or strength training.

You are likely to cause some pretty bad problems to your body you'll have to live with rest of your life, if you are anywhere near avg height.

"a lot of pounds" is not the description that would be given by someone where 500 or 800 eating level is appropriate.

You've misheard/mis-remembered something - best to get it straightened out quick.

yirara

bugintn wrote: »

Thank you all for the replies. I have a lot of pounds to lose, the RD actually recommended 500 calories to start with 70-90 grams of protein. Nothing else on the other macros. I can’t seem to find a good balance of protein without going over the fat numbers. I do have to take vitamins and have blood work every 6 mos. I am not an athlete, but do strength and basic cardio so I doubt I overwork the amount I take in.

What? You should report them to the governing body! That's extremely unhealthy, especially if done without medical supervision! Ditch them and find another one, really.