pneumonia/flu still diet at 1,200 cal?

janine2355

So I've been sick with pre-pneumonia and the flu for a few days now. The first few days I could hardly eat at all, and lost a pound in just a couple of days. (not the way You want to loose weight though, trust me) Now, the antibiotic is starting to work, and I am slowly getting my appetite back, but I have strict orders for bed rest (not hard to do considering I feel like crap). The problem now is all I want right now are comfort foods and I will not be able to start exercising for at least two weeks! My diet only allows me 1,200 calories a day, and I'm afraid of going over that once I start eating the comfort foods. My question is, does anyone still diet when they are as sick as I am, or should I just wait till I get better? I don't even know if it's healhty for me to be on such a restricted diet while I am sick, but I have been doing so well with this diet and that last thing I want to do is start gaining pounds back. Please tell me what I shold do? :frown: :brokenheart:

hananah89

No, you should not diet with being that sick. You should only focus on getting better.

lizziebeth1028

'Dieting' should be your last concern right now. Forget about the calories. Eat, rest and repeat!!

janine2355

Thank you so much. You are right.

janine2355

I will follow your advice. You are absolutely right.

janine2355

No, you should not diet with being that sick. You should only focus on getting better.

janine2355

You are absolutely right. Thank you

Brandolin11

That stinks! Hope you feel better. But I have a couple questions:

1.) May I ask how you arrived at the number of 1,200 calories? Is this your TDEE? I ask because that number is usually too low for most people - most people need more calories, esp. if they are exercising. Yet many women (especially) continue to believe it's somehow the "magic number" for losing weight. It's not (necessarily).

2.) I'm not sure I understand why being sick means you "need" comfort foods? Why is this? Why can't you continue to just eat your normal healthy foods, if that's what you typically eat? I understand eating less than your daily allotment when you don't feel good, we all go through that. I'm just trying to figure out why you need to eat *more* than your daily allotment now that you're feeling better. This just doesn't make sense to me. Just go back to your regular diet and stick to it.

mfp2014mfp

2.) I'm not sure I understand why being sick means you "need" comfort foods? Why is this?

She didn't say she needs them, she said she wants them. Seems pretty normal to want comfort food when feeling icky. And as others pointed out a calorie defecit is the least of her issues right now.

I'm just trying to figure out why you need to eat *more* than your daily allotment now that you're feeling better. This just doesn't make sense to me. Just go back to your regular diet and stick to it.

Also, shés not yet feeling better, she's on bed rest another 2 weeks.

To the OP all the best for a swift recovery :flowerforyou:

GothyFaery

I had the flu really bad a few months ago. At first I didn't want to eat anything. My husband nearly force fed me. After I started getting a little better I still wanted to stick to my diet so I made sure I didn't go over. That lasted a day and then I was flat on my *kitten* sick again.

Eat what you can. You're body can't heal itself while your depriving it. Once you are getting better, slowly work back down. Hope you feel better!

janine2355

That stinks! Hope you feel better. But I have a couple questions:

1.) May I ask how you arrived at the number of 1,200 calories? Is this your TDEE? I ask because that number is usually too low for most people - most people need more calories, esp. if they are exercising. Yet many women (especially) continue to believe it's somehow the "magic number" for losing weight. It's not (necessarily).

2.) I'm not sure I understand why being sick means you "need" comfort foods? Why is this? Why can't you continue to just eat your normal healthy foods, if that's what you typically eat? I understand eating less than your daily allotment when you don't feel good, we all go through that. I'm just trying to figure out why you need to eat *more* than your daily allotment now that you're feeling better. This just doesn't make sense to me. Just go back to your regular diet and stick to it.

That is what MFP gave me when I said I have a desk job and want to loose 2 pounds a week. After talking to some people on here though including yourself, I have adjusted my calories to 1,400. I think that is probably better. In regards to the comfort food, I don't NEED them, It's just the only thing I'm in the mood for right now. Thanks for the advice

janine2355

thank you for your kindness goeth faery

Rainboots80

Figure out what your maintenance number is and eat at least that much. It is probably like 400 more calories then you are eating.

janine2355

Figure out what your maintenance number is and eat at least that much. It is probably like 400 more calories then you are eating.

That's a good idea.

janine2355

I had the flu really bad a few months ago. At first I didn't want to eat anything. My husband nearly force fed me. After I started getting a little better I still wanted to stick to my diet so I made sure I didn't go over. That lasted a day and then I was flat on my *kitten* sick again.

Eat what you can. You're body can't heal itself while your depriving it. Once you are getting better, slowly work back down. Hope you feel better!

Thank you for your kindness and good advice