800 Calorie Diet Recommended by Doctor

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msmed
msmed Posts: 7
in Food and Nutrition
I recently had a not-so-pleasant experience with a doctor who I saw because I'm having some symptoms that seem thyroid related. Turns out I'm in the low end of normal for thyroid activity - so borderline hypothyroid. I'm 43, short and have gained weight after having 3 children. I probably need to lose about 30 pounds. The doctor told me that I need to be walking for an hour a day and consume no more than 800 calories! I know this was NOT a misunderstanding since he told me verbally and also wrote it down. I knew right when he said it, that seemed like a ridiculously low calorie count and now the more I read, the more it's shocking that a Dr. would recommend it to a patient. Has anyone else ever heard of such a low cal diet? I tried it at first to see how that would feel & was shaky & weak. No surpise. MFP says I should be at 1200 (as seems to be the case for many) but I am usually at 1400 since that's how I feel best, especially when exercising & my BMR is just over that. I'm only at the beginning of this journey & havent seen the scale move yet but would love to have some insight from those who are more experienced with such a lifestyle change. That recommendation from him made me question anything else he's told me.
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Replies

  • steamlita
    steamlita Posts: 39 Member
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    800 is perfectly fine-- trust your Doctor and make sure you spend those calories on healthy choices so you get your nutrition for the day. Your body stores fat to use to supplement times when you don't consume the amount your body needs to function. Eating at 1200 works for some people when they need to eat 1800 because it creates a deficit. That's how fat is burned.

    MFP isn't accounting for your thyroid, that's why it's higher. Trust your Dr, not arguments on the internet.
  • bunnylvr
    bunnylvr Posts: 78
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    If you're not confident in your doctors recommendation then I would get a second opinion.
  • NikkiLS28
    NikkiLS28 Posts: 43
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    I did a medically-supervised weight loss program through a specialist a few years ago (didn't stick with it - unrealistic and too expensive) and the lowest they would let us go was 1200. They really hammered this into us that going lower would NOT help us in the long run.

    See if he'll refer you to a dietician if you want some advice from an actual professional :)
  • Sondras09
    Sondras09 Posts: 30 Member
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    Drs are knowledgeable, but not in nutrition. You, especially bc of the thyroid issues, should go see a Registered Dietitian. Someone whos actual degree is in Health and nutrition.
  • amylyork
    amylyork Posts: 11 Member
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    My doctor told me I could go as low as 700 Calories/day.
  • samf36
    samf36 Posts: 369 Member
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    I agree with this. Dr's unless they are a degree in nutrition have no idea what they are talking about. You need to see a RD and a thyroid Specialist.
  • deadstarsunburn
    deadstarsunburn Posts: 1,337 Member
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    Drs are knowledgeable, but not in nutrition. You, especially bc of the thyroid issues, should go see a Registered Dietitian. Someone whos actual degree is in Health and nutrition.

    I agree. A dietitian is going to be the most help to you.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,114 Member
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    Is he recommending a supplement to make sure you are getting the proper nutrition?

    You would be wise to get the opinion of a Dietician who is well-trained in these situations. Maybe there is some reason he suggested that, but it seems odd.

    How much weight are you trying to lose? *edit.....30 pounds...NM.
  • sunnyflower1177
    sunnyflower1177 Posts: 212
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    i would get a second opinion.....
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
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    There are also doctors who put women on feeding tube diets for when they wanna crash diet quickly.

    Point is, not all doctors are smart. Not all doctors are right. I would see another. I've never gone lower than 1200 and had to raise that as i lost to keep losing.
  • fitbum19
    fitbum19 Posts: 198 Member
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    I am no expert, but I would say that if you are under his supervision and only walking, it's no biggie. I have done it before
  • becoming_a_new_me
    becoming_a_new_me Posts: 1,860 Member
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    Drs are knowledgeable, but not in nutrition. You, especially bc of the thyroid issues, should go see a Registered Dietitian. Someone whos actual degree is in Health and nutrition.

    ^^ This...doctors take a single one semester class on nutrition. I completely respect my doctor, because he will flat out say that he has no clue about nutrition and sends me to a dietician if I have questions
  • fitbum19
    fitbum19 Posts: 198 Member
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    Drs are knowledgeable, but not in nutrition. You, especially bc of the thyroid issues, should go see a Registered Dietitian. Someone whos actual degree is in Health and nutrition.

    this is very very true. doctors have almost no education in nurtrition. BUT I would try it. just not for a long period of time.
  • mlc825
    mlc825 Posts: 10
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    I had a friend who suffered from a slow thyroid. She was literally gaining weight on a weekly basis and beyond frustrated. After she was correctly diagnosed, she went on Weight Watchers and ended up loosing a lot of the weight she had gained. Another option you might want to consider is looking into the Eating Clean "Diet" or way of eating. After loosing weight by starving myself, I finally came to the conclusion I was doing my body more harm then good. I bought the Eating Clean books and I've lost 20lbs of fat, gained muscle and feel better than ever.
    You need to first determine do you just want to loose the weight or do you want to change and transform your body and your way of eating and approaching food.
  • Chrissy_Michelle
    Chrissy_Michelle Posts: 176 Member
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    If you're not confident in your doctors recommendation then I would get a second opinion.

    I second that...800 calories is too low in my opinion. I would ask a registered dietician..
  • WaterBunnie
    WaterBunnie Posts: 1,370 Member
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    Whether it's advisable or not you're not going to be very happy on that few calories. With an hour walking taking them down even further in real terms you do have to wonder...
  • glittersoul
    glittersoul Posts: 671
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    I would get a second opinion and see what the other doctor/dietitian tells you.
  • monroe61
    monroe61 Posts: 620 Member
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    I have a 7 day meal plan from a nutritionist and some days are as low as 700 calories...I felt fine on it besides starving the first few days to get used to such a little amount. I lost 30lbs doing it a few years ago.

    I've lost 29lbs on MFP just by the recommendations from here but I'm starting up the previous diet again to try and break my plateau. Best of luck to you!
  • logicman69
    logicman69 Posts: 1,034 Member
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    i would get a second opinion.....

    This!!!
  • KrystleKiri
    KrystleKiri Posts: 135
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    If you're not confident in your doctors recommendation then I would get a second opinion.

    exactly. I've heard of this, it isn't crazy. if you're not comfortable at the level he's put you at, get a second opinion, but chances are he's not being a crack pot jerk that's talking out of his *kitten*. he probably DOES know what he's talking about, it just may not be perfect for you specifically.

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