Is it safe to eat 1,000 calories a day and no more?

Lizchan

Seriously, I don't want to eat more than this... because it is all I can do to make myself eat this much. I don't feel hungry at all, that's why I don't want to eat. But I want to lose weight and I'm not sure if my body will allow me to if I don't eat enough. I am 5' tall and 196 pounds, age twenty, female.

Sorry for asking everyone so many questions! I have been trying to figure out everything on my own and I'm not really able to.

_GlaDOS_

No, I would say it isn't healthy.

And you probably aren't hungry because you're only eating 1,000 calories per day.

therealangd

No. It's not healthy.

P90XCertifiedCoach

NO!!!!

kouzzzz

No, you need to eat but the right foods.

heatherdills

I think you can eat less calories than 1200 per day if you are under 5'3". Does the software tell you to eat more? It didn't get onto my Mom when she was under 1200 (she's 5'3"), but mine screams at me if I don't consume at least that many (I am 5'7").

cecilia0909

I must say that your posts kinda concern me. You seem to have a deep rooted issue with weight and food and honestly may really benefit from finding a professional in your area to go talk to. 1000 calories a day doesn't give your body enough fuel to live on and it just simply isn't healthy.

Health_Gal

No, it's not healthy. If you are having trouble eating only 1,000 calories a day, you might be cutting your fats too low. Your body needs some healthy fats to be able to absorb many vitamins.

Suzanne106

No. You should eat your allotted amount of calories each day with a minimum of 1200. Your body will go into starvation mode, trust me, I did exactly what you are doing until someone told me this and that's when the weight started coming off. Well, that and exercise. Good Luck!!

MB_Positif

I am 5'-2" and have been losing while averaging anywhere from 1200 to 1400 calories per day. Generally in the 1300 range and I can't imagine living on less food!

truelypinkthing

I think your body will switch into starvation mode and make it very hard for you to lose weight. Try to eat your calories in protein and few carbs, that way it doesn't seem so much but gives you the fuel you need. You could try zigzagging too, over your allowance one day, under the next and normal on 3rd day( or any combination of those 3days). I find this kick starts my body when I plateau. And if you exercise you really should try to eat the calories you burn, honestly it helps to losevweight, odd as it seems. Good luck.

MakingAChoice

I think you get the gist, the answer is a resounding NO! 1,000 is not even enough if you were in a coma, why would it be ok for you?

SergeantSunshine_reused

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Of course it is unhealthy. Why don't you want to eat more? Starving yourself does not work, will cause binges. Yo-yo dieting is not fun.
Eating too low of cal increases muscle loss and makes it hard to get all the macros/micros you need.

becky2967

i would say no. a female needs 2,000 aday. even if you ate 2,000 but burned 500cals each day you would lose weight. my gp recommended 1,500 unless you really need to lower it in which case you should consult with your doctor. mine screams if i eat under 1,200 too. im 5'9. i think cutting back even 200 per day with increased exercise would help lose 1lb p/w.

MrsCon40

MFP is so popular because so many people have been successful doing what it suggests.

Even though you are short you still need adequate nutrition for your body to function properly (your brain burns calories, you know!). Try what it suggests. If the volume of food is difficult - eat more calorie dense foods (nuts, avocados, olives, etc). What you've logged so far is not high quality food - especially considering that your total caloric intake is questionable.

hottottie11

No toddlers eat 1000 calories a day. Large deficits leads to muscle mass loss, which leads to a depressed metabolism....it'll make it harder to lose weight and easier to gain it back.

I'm sure you want to see weight loss results now, but it is in your best interest to have a moderate calorie reduction (i.e 1 to 1.5 lb per week).

Sarah_LM

If you only eat that many calories a day, after a while you will stop being hungry, its your bodies way of coping in times of starvation, which is why thats why you feel full on such a low calorie intake. However, it is very difficult to get enough nutrients at that few calories. If you are struggling, maybe try increasing your calories a little each day - an extra banana will give you approx 100 calories, a smoothie could give you lots of nutrients and calories, or some nuts, something calorie dense but that are good for you body. Increase a bit each few days until you are meeting your minimum requirement.

My doctor told me that I should cut down to 1,000 calories a day but thats because I have a lot to lose. People who are very obese can survive on that few calories, they just use their fat to survive. I would say, if you want to follow a diet that low calorie and are significantly overweight, visit your doctor, because they can recommend support for a VLC (very low calorie diet) and how to do it safely.

Rain_Howard

If you aren't starving (constantly hungry) or showing other signs of being unhealthy, yes.

CoraGregoryCPA

IF (big "IF") you are going to eat 1000 calories a day, then they have to be quality calories. Fruits, veggies, proteins, comlex carbs, all the good stuff, etc.

Also, don't forget to log drinks, oils, butters, ketchup, all condiments, all drinks. Those calories add up! When you are reviewing your diary for a trend, make sure to review dayssss worth of data and don't make assumptions off of one day worth of logging.

rileamoyer

NO NO NO

thinkingthingirl

I have the same problem as you. i find it so hard to hit my target calories. I only eat when im hungray,if im not then i dont force it down.

jonzo21

are you exercising as well? you really shouldn't go under 1200 calories (without exercise). If you DO exercise, and you burn say, 200 calories and only eat 1000, technically you only gave your body 800 calories to function. Everyone's bodies are different but at the very least it needs 1200 to function. Have you checked your BMR (theres a calculator on this site) this is the base amount your body needs to function if you were basically just sleep or be in a coma all day. By not getting enough, your body is going to slow its metabolism, which means it will freak out and store calories as fat because it thinks it won't have energy later. Which also means it will become harder to burn fat and you will wonder why you aren't losing anymore weight. You probably feel you can't eat more than 1000 because you are not used to it now. Sounds like your metabolism has already decreased. You have to get it jump started again. Eat calorie rich foods like nuts, fruits, proteins so that it doesn't seem like you're eating much but you are still getting enough calories. I like the idea another user posted about "zig zagging" your diet.

Rain_Howard

If you want an educated answer talk to a doctor or a licensed nutritionist. Seriously, getting health advice from an Internet forum, not the greatest idea.

YoullGainYourWings

no! your body needs a certain amount just to keeo your vital organs functioning! you need to be eating above 1200!!!

YoullGainYourWings

no! your body needs a certain amount just to keeo your vital organs functioning! you need to be eating above 1200!!!

MaraDiaz

If you're really not hungry and it isn't because you're taking diet pills, I wonder if the blood test to check for metabolism issues would be a good idea? Maybe you're not burning as many calories as you should be?

Erindipitous

Never.

sweetie89207

not really a good idea...heres what i suggest...find foods that are high in good fats! those monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats...these foods are also very high in calories so if u just eat some of these maybe 200 calories worth- you will get the right about of calories ur body needs to work and will be adding good fats (WHICH IN FACT- have been medically proven to help people lose weight)

try it out girl...dont allow ur body to shrink away in a bad way because it isnt getting the right amount and correct nutrients it needs!

SummerFun2011

If you want an educated answer talk to a doctor or a licensed nutritionist. Seriously, getting health advice from an Internet forum, not the greatest idea.

I don't think it takes a doctor to know that 1,000 calories is not enough. There are many educated people that use this site. :flowerforyou:

MrsCon40

I don't feel hungry at all, that's why I don't want to eat.

Oh - it's because you started Phentermine yesterday.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/403603-how-long-does-it-take-phentermine-to-work

If you take an stimulant that won't allow you to eat enough calories - then you go in conservation mode causing you to not lose weight - I would say it's not a successful strategy.

allaboutaleah

the minimum any1 should eat is 1,200 calories a day, otherwise your body will go into starvation mode, and store fat instead of burn it