Question about NET Calories

froggy15

I know you aren't supposed to go below 1200 calories. What if I eat 1600 calories, but my NET calories are below 1200? Is that okay??

ajbeans

Your net calories should be as close to your daily calorie goal as possible. When people say not to eat fewer than 1200, they're talking about net calories. If you work out, eat enough to bring that net up to 1200 at least.

froggy15

MFP had set me at 1200, but I found it to be too low so I manually set myself at 1400 calories. So if my net is say, 1150, then it's too low right? Does that mean that my NET should actually be closer to 1400?

ajbeans

MFP had set me at 1200, but I found it to be too low so I manually set myself at 1400 calories. So if my net is say, 1150, then it's too low right? Does that mean that my NET should actually be closer to 1400?

Exactly.

Personally, I don't eat all of the exercise calories that MFP gives me, because it seems that it gives me too much "credit" for calories burned. So I try to leave myself about a 100-cal buffer. But you'll have to experiment and see what works for you, and if you have a heart rate monitor, your burns will be more accurate, so you can eat all of them without worrying.

froggy15

MFP had set me at 1200, but I found it to be too low so I manually set myself at 1400 calories. So if my net is say, 1150, then it's too low right? Does that mean that my NET should actually be closer to 1400?

Exactly.

Personally, I don't eat all of the exercise calories that MFP gives me, because it seems that it gives me too much "credit" for calories burned. So I try to leave myself about a 100-cal buffer. But you'll have to experiment and see what works for you, and if you have a heart rate monitor, your burns will be more accurate, so you can eat all of them without worrying.

Thanks for the help. Also, congrats on losing 25 lbs! That's great!

ajbeans

Thank you!