800 Calorie Diet Recommended by Doctor

busywaterbending

you idiot of a doctor is trying to kill you.

does he have a masters degree in nutrition? will he be medically supervising your blood electrolytes and hormones? if you say no one of those two questions, run away.

busywaterbending

and never take diet advice form a fat doctor.

superstarcassie

I don't know- that just seems so hard and impractical. I am hypothyroid, being treated with synthroid, and have lost 133 lbs since I started. I have eaten 1600-2300 or more calories throughout my weight loss. I don't know how I could live on 800 calories a day and function!

roberta65

800 can totally be done. The trick make very good food choices, fill up your grocery cart from the vegetable section and you can eat lots during the day. Be carefull about the salad dressing they can kill every bit of good that you are trying to achieve. Good luck

sherrykwilk

Your doctor is WRONG! You will not be able to stay on that low calorie diet for long. YOU need to find something that you can adhere to as well as something that makes sure you are getting enough nutrition. THat is one of the biggest problems with severe low calorie diets. I would up it to a minimum of 1200 calories and start moving. Moving=more calories. Try to eat 7 servings of fruits and vegetables as that will help you feel satisfied and will insure a proper intake of vitamins and minerals. AND don't skimp on the protein either as you will lose muscle if you don't take in enough protein. Stick with lean meats (grassfed beef or bison is a great choice), white meat turkey or chicken, tofu, fish. Eat protein with each meal in small portions 1-2 ounces with each meal. Greek yogurt is a great source of protein make sure you get the no fat kind and try to stick to the plain or the vanilla for the lowest sugar content. Good luck! This is advice I have learned over and over again from licensed dieticians who know more about nutrition than doctors.

jdploki70

Consult an endocrinologist. If the doctor you are seeing is an endocrinologist, get a second opinion.

This is my advice. Though an endocrinologist is likely to give you similar advice. A nutritionist, no matter how good, is not going to have the depth of knowledge nor experience that a specialist doctor would.

scapez

I am 45, hypothyroid, and started at 1200/day + eating exercise calories back. I'm currently at 1800. No way I would survive on 800/day!

Become your own advocate. Do some research. Visit a nutritionist, etc.

devonette

He is an endocrinologist who loves to put people on the HCG diet. I let him know right off that I was not interested in that. I do know people who have done it - and it starts you off w/ 500 calories a day - they've lost but they have gained the weight right back. I'm not interested in a crash diet. I'm looking for a lifestyle change. ...My thyroid is in normal range, just at the low end of normal so many doctors would not consider me a candidate for medication.

Oh my goodness, definitely no then!! I've known a few people who got really sick from the HCG diet, and as you said, ended up gaining the weight back besides having other problems as a result. Definitely talk to your own doctor and/or a dietician/nutritionist.

msmed

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.

You said you saw "a doctor" who recommended the 800 calories per day, but did not say "my doctor" which seems to indicate this is a specialist you've just seen for the first or second time who doesn't know your medical history. Is this correct? If so, talk to your primary care/family doctor who knows your health history and see what he says. My family doctor was emphatic that nobody should go under 1200 calories per week when trying to lose weight, especially if exercising.

Yes, he is a doctor who specializes in thyroid/endocrine system issues. He doesn't know me except what I have told him. I think it's important for us to listen to our bodies and my body tells me that it can't function on 800 calories a day! I will listen to it.

yarwell

Has anyone else ever heard of such a low cal diet?

Yes indeed, and less.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diet/newcastle-study-600-calorie-diet.html

Such diets are approved for use in the UK, they are nutritionally complete (lots of added minerals and vitamins etc). Protein sparing modified fasts are widely used. Did the doctor prescribe a particular formulation to use, or just tell you to eat less ?

Ignore the hysteria by the way, 44 days on zero calories wasn't enough to get rid of David Blaine http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM200511243532124

and a morbidly obese Sctosman fasted for over a year.

Sapporo

I've had friends on 800 cal diiets as per doctor recommendation but both of them were in a hospital during it to be monitored and were morbidly obese so the risk of their weight outweighed any risk of the low calorie diet.
Maintaining 800 cals per day on your own would be extremely difficult and requires good planning, make all the cals whole nutritious foods. I would get the doc to refer you to a registered dietician, here with a referal gets it covered by insurance so worth looking into to in case you can see one for free there as well.

XXXMinnieXXX

Whether its safe or not, youd probably feel horrendous on so little calories x

yubafarm

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

A brisk walk can burn over 410 calories for someone weighing 170lbs. If you add that into the equation i would say that 800 is way to low.

A couple of ideas -

Be careful taking nutritional advice from anyone who doesn't understand thyroid problems, including random strangers, friends, and Dr's. For example the above numbers are in reference to a person without a thyroid problem If you're hypothyroid you may have a lower metabolism - that's why hypothryoid folks tend to gain weight. Then again you may not have a significantly reduced metabolism. Dr's can't tell from looking at you nor can they tell from your thyroid levels. They can, however, measure your BMR (resting metabolism). Have they done this? They should! Definitely before telling you to eat 800cals a day! It should (hopefullY) be covered by your insurance if you are hypothyroid.

Also, there are some foods you should avoid and some you should try to consume more with a thyroid problem. My thyroid problem is different from yours (although similar) so won't list anything - but recommend looking into it.

Did the doc measure just TSH or T3 and T4 also? If just TSH and he prescribed medication for a thyroid problem, go to another doctor - a reputable endocrinologist right away. TSH alone does not tell the whole story. From my experience they should not prescribe medications without checking these other levels, at least every now and then.

Finally there is a hypothyroid / hyperthyroid group on MFP - I recommend joining it.

Good luck & welcome to the wacky thyroid club.

Katie3784

if you got your 800 calories from filling vegetables and fruits you could stay full all day long. but like everyone else said i'd would talk to a dietician.

If she got all her calories from fruits and veggies, her diet would contain no fat and probably very little protein. Fat is important. I think 800 calories is way too low for anyone. I eat three times that and weigh 125lbs.

zellagrrl

My endocrinologist recommended a VLCD, and so did my naturopath (my GI MD on the other hand, is... no longer my MD). I'll be going back to that soon, unless I can break through this plateau again soon. My body has a very slow metabolism and PCOS-- I'm on liothyronine and levothyroxine (Synthroid generic) but VLCDs are how I tend to lose weight (and a lack of carbs-- that too). I maintain my strength training and focus on getting mostly protein to minimize muscle loss if possible.

Get a second opinion, but your doctor may actually be right and it's probably worth a try. Fill up on lots of vegetables and lean proteins-- you can eat a surprising volume of very low calorie foods.

AliciaNorris81

800 can totally be done. The trick make very good food choices, fill up your grocery cart from the vegetable section and you can eat lots during the day. Be carefull about the salad dressing they can kill every bit of good that you are trying to achieve. Good luck

I am going to say this to follow my last comment...it isn't a "forever" thing. They have me on this until I get under 210. Shouldn't be past the holidays.

I trust them. I thought I was going to die when they told me. "WHO IN THE HELL CAN LIVE LIKE THAT?!" I thought. Then I started eating more fruits and veggies and low carb. There are days where I STUFF MYSELF full of food and still don't hit 800 calories. I cannot eat much fat because of digestive issues.

It isn't starving me. It isn't killing me. It is helping me. I feel better than I ever have. I will fight to my death to defend this. I have blood drawn every 6 weeks to make sure things are OK. I have my BP and blood sugar actively monitored.

I have been attacked for it on here and other sites and I have defended it.

If I were you I would definitely seek a second opinion. I sought a 3rd...which was the dietitian. When she confirmed it, I went with it.

zellagrrl

He is an endocrinologist who loves to put people on the HCG diet. I let him know right off that I was not interested in that. I do know people who have done it - and it starts you off w/ 500 calories a day - they've lost but they have gained the weight right back. I'm not interested in a crash diet. I'm looking for a lifestyle change. He did put me on Armour (supposed to be better for you than Synthroid) and I was sweating and my heart was pounding out of my chest. Obviously, I'm not taking that anymore & I'm not sure they know what to do w/ me. My thyroid is in normal range, just at the low end of normal so many doctors would not consider me a candidate for medication.

I have enough experience with health issues that my children have had that you go to doctors for advice & possibly treatment but ultimately, they are not perfect. We've been given bad advice from doctors in the past for our kids and had to make our own decisions. My instincts have not failed me yet in that regard. Thank you for all your advice. I think seeing a dietician is an excellent idea.

I'm within 2 lbs of my end weight after the HCG diet and have maintained that for over a month.

mcarter99

Yes, he is a doctor who specializes in thyroid/endocrine system issues. He doesn't know me except what I have told him. I think it's important for us to listen to our bodies and my body tells me that it can't function on 800 calories a day! I will listen to it.

Does your body tell you that you can't function on 800/day or your mind? Have you tried it? I'm all for listening to your body above all else. But sometimes we're listening to our heads (and our internets). You paid for his advice. Why not just try it? Despite the outrage here, it's really not that wild. He must want to see how you react physically, or he wants you to lose the weight quickly for some reason. We don't know as much as he does about you and we're not doctors. Good luck!

firedragon064

Let's see..doctor with your specific information and condition in mind, with 12 years of education and training, plus whatever more years of experience since then...or all the strangers on the Internet with their degree in Google.

Yea, I'd ignore my doctor too.

^^ ----YUP!

gussie1026

A family member went on a physican directed diet (chiropractor) within the last year that included HCG and 800 calories/day with no exercise needed. She lost 120 in about 9 months. . . . but she also lost all of her hair and is now having to wear a wig. She looks like somebody on chemo. My hair dresser said she sees that over and over again. People who lose weight too quickly, lose their hair as well. My physician has me on a 1300-1400 calorie diet and I've lost 70 lbs in 12 months - I wish I could say I'd lost 120 lbs, but am satisfied with my program.

My physician (MD) reports that bariatric physicians (and the Bariatric Association of Physicians or whatever it is called) say 800 calories is a starvation diet and statistics show dieters are not making LIFE STYLE CHANGES so once they are able to increase their calories they begin gain weight. Case in point: my family member has gained about 20 lbs and is now back on 800 to control her weight. They have now decided she's allergic to carbs and that's what caused the gain. Give me a break!

merylwyn

All doctors do have some background in nutrition. It is very important in pretty much every patient's lifestyle. I will say, if you feel like that's wrong, just go to a dietitian. But I wouldn't automatically say that the doctor is wrong.

zellagrrl

A family member went on a physican directed diet (chiropractor) within the last year that included HCG and 800 calories/day with no exercise needed. She lost 120 in about 9 months. . . . but she also lost all of her hair and is now having to wear a wig. She looks like somebody on chemo. My hair dresser said she sees that over and over again. People who lose weight too quickly, lose their hair as well. My physician has me on a 1300-1400 calorie diet and I've lost 70 lbs in 12 months - I wish I could say I'd lost 120 lbs, but am satisfied with my program.

My physician (MD) reports that bariatric physicians (and the Bariatric Association of Physicians or whatever it is called) say 800 calories is a starvation diet and statistics show dieters are not making LIFE STYLE CHANGES so once they are able to increase their calories they begin gain weight. Case in point: my family member has gained about 20 lbs and is now back on 800 to control her weight. They have now decided she's allergic to carbs and that's what caused the gain. Give me a break!

She may be insulin resistant and therefore, carbs cause her weight issues. I'm not allergic to wheat, but I avoid it (and all grains) as they exacerbate a medical condition. I avoid carbs due to PCOS.

That said, I would trust an MD vs. a DC regarding diet.

kellyr730

I have an underactive thyroid also and the main thing that does is slow down every sysytem in your body, especially your metabolism - more so than "normal" people. I don't think 800 calories is too low and he probably knows what he's talking about because since your thyroid is making your metabolism so slow, you may not burn as many calories a day resting as MFP calculates. So if you are trying to lose weight, that may be what it takes to see a difference.

However, I hope this is just temporary and he prescribed you a thyroid medication. I have been on it for about 5 years now and when I first started, it took a month or so but soon it was amazing how different and energetic I felt. After that medication kicks in and starts regulating your thyroid hormone, you should burn more and not have to be at 800. THAT IS JUST FROM MY EXPERIENCE THOUGH- I AM NOT A DOCTOR!! just to clarify ;-)

thank you for your insight on this. you describe it a bit easier and that it is possible. thankfully i've never had to deal with something like that. hopefully it is only short term for people to be on that kind of diet.
But one question- do you take all your nutrition through supplements? i can't see you getting even close to half the nutrition you actually need with such a low cal intake !
just curious

No - I eat a normal diet. I just take levothyroxine which regulates your thyroid hormone and speeds it up. ive never had a special diet but as sluggish as I was I wouldn't be surprised if my metabolism would have only allowed me to burn 800 resting.

fbmandy55

He is an endocrinologist who loves to put people on the HCG diet.

That should answer your question right there. Any doctor who pushes an illegal product that is now banned by the FDA is a Quack.

msmed

Let's see..doctor with your specific information and condition in mind, with 12 years of education and training, plus whatever more years of experience since then...or all the strangers on the Internet with their degree in Google.

Yea, I'd ignore my doctor too.

^^ ----YUP!

I really hope that nobody blindly follows what a doctor says without doing your own research, including asking others what their experience has been. Of course there are still people who think that what an MD says is practically the gospel. How dare we question them! Even doctors disagree on issues and come to the table with different experiences. If my husband and I had done what doctors told us to do (and not do) for our son regarding a medical issue, he would still be very ill. We did our own research and followed our instincts and thank God we did! We have to be our own health advocates - and our children's.

msmed

Yes, he is a doctor who specializes in thyroid/endocrine system issues. He doesn't know me except what I have told him. I think it's important for us to listen to our bodies and my body tells me that it can't function on 800 calories a day! I will listen to it.

Does your body tell you that you can't function on 800/day or your mind? Have you tried it? I'm all for listening to your body above all else. But sometimes we're listening to our heads (and our internets). You paid for his advice. Why not just try it? Despite the outrage here, it's really not that wild. He must want to see how you react physically, or he wants you to lose the weight quickly for some reason. We don't know as much as he does about you and we're not doctors. Good luck!

I did try it and it left me shaky and weak with no energy. Even closer to 1000 calories a day, I was feeling the same. That's why I upped it - I have to have the energy to exercise and keep up with 3 children.

adry20

Conventional DR's do not know how to get to the root of problems, they only know how to put temporary band aids on them. If you are truly wanting to get healthy, I will say it again, look for a holistic nutritionist. They will help you find the core of your problem and help you improve your overall health the right way. Most of our health issues can be traced back to what we eat and what we are exposed to through the environment. Even if you eat 1200 calories per day, if you don't eat the right foods your health will not necessarily improve.

adry20

Sorry I didn't mean to sound rude

isys5

I have a low functioning thryoid as well but eating 800 calories per day seems crazy to me Check out http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/753-hypothyroidism-and-hyperthyroidism for some great tips on what to eat/not to eat for thyroid and also lifestyle changes that really work. I eat around 1700 (started at 1200 and was exhausted all the time so kept uping in 100 cal/day increments until I felt ok).

Meganosborn1988

try meeting somewhere in the middle. Maybe if you try and eat about 1,000 cals. a day and see how that goes!