Enough calories?

regmcc

I have a friend that says 1200 is not enough for anyone to get the right nutrients and live on. I have been eating 1200 calories for a few months ( some days closer to 1000) and am losing 1-1.5 lbs a week. I am making better food choices and really feel good. I know that when I get to my desired weight I will be able to eat more and maintain but for now 1200 calories seems to be working for me. I have Googled it but can't seem to find any information on minimum calories. Any thoughts?

BrendaPetersen

Hi!

I wouldn't go below 1200 calories a day. I've read a lot on the subject and if you go below you can lose, but your body won't burn the calories right., you can lose important nutrition and vitamins etc.

My opinion only though... lol

Barelmy

It depends a lot on your height and activity level. Smaller people need less calories. As a general rule of thumb, MFP won't let you go below 1200.

ashnm88

Its best not to go below 1200cals.

chris1529

It's funny cause I'm trying to stay within 1200 calories too. I am not losing as fast as I want to lol. It has been almost a week now and I have lost like 1 pound!! I have stopped drinking soda and only drink water.

lucycaz

Hi

I think you need to listen to your body

If you have been doing it for a few months and are feeling well carry on

I am eating about the same as you around 1200 cals a day and no exercise cals

I have lost 70lbs have had to sets of full blood work ups with my Dr and am fine and doing well no deficiencies

Everyone has an opinion on here all of which are valid from their point of view but you need to decide what is right for you...

Lucy

ebahde

FYI the American College of Sports Medicine recommends that you never drop below 1200 calories and it really is about the lowest that anyone should be consuming, even when you are trying to lose weight. Getting the proper nutritional balance is REALLY important so when you are eating that low of calories you should be really be planning your meals well in order to maximize the nutritional value of your food. This is even more true if you are exercising frequently because if you don't get the right nutrition you will be a lot more prone to many injuries (including stress fractures). Hope this is helpful!

Angellore

It's as much, if not more, about the other nutrients, not just calories. Are you getting enough vitamins and minerals? A huge number of women in the western world do not get enough calcium in their daily diet. Are you eating healthy fats? I agree that 1200 is the lowest you should really go, but everyone is different, and you need to listen to your own body, fiddle around with the numbers and see how it goes.

Saffyra

1200 calories is the lowest amount recommended by the department of Health to be able to eat and get all the nutrients you need. This is a number recommended for the average person.

I am very small (my BMR is 1286, I'm 5'1") and I currently eat between 1000-1200 with no issues with fatigue or exhaustion. I *do* take a multivitamin however.

Once I am down to goal weight I will go to maintenance calories which is 1600 for me.

As long as you feel fine and (in my opinion) take a multivitamin, you are not doing anything wrong. It's not like you will be on 1200 calories your whole life. You will do this for a period of time and then move to maintenance.

Don't worry. You are doing great and you are losing weight at a very healthy rate. If you are truly concerned about getting all your nutrients in, take a multivitamin.