300 - 600 Calorie Daily Intake

Deedee0075

Has anyone had experience with consuming 300-600 calories per day? I am seriously considering at least trying this while I observe a month long fast (Ramadan). My plan is to consume a 295 calorie Shakeology before dawn and consume another 295 calorie Shakeology after dusk. I believe I will exceed the daily required vitamin/nutrients. In addition, I take 3000IUs of Vitamin D daily.

I'd like to know if anyone has been on this type of calorie intake before and if so, what experiences did you have (other than weight loss)?

Thanks!

EDITED BY MFP STAFF: For those users who have similar concerns/questions we recommend seeking out groups specific to your needs. For example, http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/6555-fasting-ramadan-eating-right

Thanks for everyone's understanding and cooperation.

Flissbo

is this serious??

gecho

:frown: doesn't sound so safe to me...

newhabit

i would not advise this. i understand about ramadan but you are going to be pretty weak. i would suggest 1200 at the lowest.

lauren3382

is this serious??

I have no experience here, but I'm sure the OP is serious. Ramadan is a month long fast practiced by Muslims.

pants77

:facedesk:

Ramadan or not, 600 calories a day is not safe for anyone over the age of 2.

ironanimal

So, where's your protein and fat intake?

djtessatessa

dizziness, weakness, mood swings, bloating, low resting heart rate, eczema (seriously), hair falling out

i dont really think this is a path you want to take. yes it takes the weight off but it isnt super worth it

xxthoroughbred

I'm sorry you're getting such bad responses from everyone. This for her religious believes, guys.

The only thing I've heard about such an experience is that your breath gets awful. Awful, awful, awful.

caraiselite

why not just eat normal meals at night?

fasting is fine, i love it.. but you need to eat at some point.

shannonshock13

is this serious??

Did you not read she was doing it for a fast? It's for religious purposes. Lets try to not be so rude.

Sharyn913

If you are observing Ramadan (Forgive my ignorance, I do not know the details) but your ultimate goal is to diet and lose weight, it seems the religious observance is in vain and thus serving no purpose. You're going to mess up your metabolism and lack energy. Any time my Church does any type of fast (usually a day long fast for a specific cause) they will issue fasting material to read over and always suggest if you have any questions, to consult your doctor before doing it. And this is for ONE day, not an entire month.

dinkydudette

I think you want us to tell you you're in danger of becoming anorexic and that it's dangerous, don't do it, it can damage your health.

To be honest, MFP gives you guidance as to how much calories to consume. It's up to you. Do it if you like. Or don't. Whichever you want.

Ristia_Amore

Anything under 1200 calories and your body will begin to shut down. This is seriously not advisable and you will be killing your body. THIN =/= HEALTH.

Yes, I understand this is for religious purposes, but my Muslim friends ALWAYS enjoy their celebratory meal after dusk.

kittyhasclaws

Sounds to me that you'll very quickly find yourself tired and sluggish I understand fasting for religious purposes, but doing it AND cutting your calories? Sounds like a suicide plan to me. You're supposed to "break fast" so that you can nourish your body. And sorry, but eating shakes twice a day and nothing else for a months doesn't sound like a good thing at all.

NocturnalGirl

You can still eat a normal amount during Ramadan, all that changes is the timings and meal timings is irrelevant to weight loss anyways. Yes I've had experience and it's horrible, my health went horrible, my studies and relationships suffered too. Yes this is not weight loss related that I'm talking about and that's cause these are more important. Also, the weight didn't stay off. I have/am doing it for other reasons (I struggle to eat sometimes) but don't do it if you're just "testing" it out.

NewChristina

I'm no expert, but I would really consider what you're doing to your metabolism by consuming so few calories over Ramadan. If your body becomes accustomed to so few calories, what will happen when you eat a normal meal again? Your body will store all those "excess" calories.
Happy Ramadan (soon).

MariaMariaM

I am not familiar with Ramadan and what it means when "you say Fasting to Observe Ramadam". If you are doing it for religious purposes, then I guess you will just need to deal with the lack of energy, dizziness and headaches consuming such a low amount of calories will bring. Also make sure not strenous activities are done.
If you are doing this because you just want to lose weight, then I think it is pretty stupid and unhealthy. You will lose weight but then gain it back when you increase your calories. It is not sustainable.

JanSmelly

Why would you limit yourself before sunrise and after sunset? IMO it sounds like a silly plan.

andiechick

I would advise trying to eat some actual food alongside your shakes, particularly fruit n veg if you can. I know the window for the time you're allowed to eat is pretty small but you need to make sure you're giving your body the fuel it needs to get through the day. Good luck xx

TracyAnn90

is this serious??

I have no experience here, but I'm sure the OP is serious. Ramadan is a month long fast practiced by Muslims.

it doesn't mean you are suppose to starve yourself. It means that you are not suppose to eat from dawn until dusk. After dusk, anything is fair game.

Chagama

I would not suggest it. It's just not enough. And particularly with Ramadan falling in the summer with the long hot days, I don't think it will be good for you.

dreamin2bethin

One thing to think about while doing Ramadan is that you are not actually going to lose weight and keep it off. When you starve your body everything you eat is stored as fat so yeah maybe a week or so you will drop weight but eventually our bodies adapt. It is incredible what our bodies do! So after your body adapts, it will store even the healthiest foods as fat because your depriving it. Having a such low calorie intake increases your chances for binge eating and indulging so then you will gain more weight. Which will be counterproductive because you want to fast for Ramadan. This is how sumo-wrestlers get so big, they do it a bit differently, but it is the same concept.


I am here for support if you want to add me

Emancipated_Tai

Before everyone jumps off a bridge, remember she said this was for the religious observation of Ramadan where fasting is required.

I think that the shakes are a good idea because you will be getting nutrition from them; however, I would suggest slightly more calories to help you to sustain during this period; at least 1000-1200 daily. Also, remember that you will not be able to exercise in a moderate amount because your body will not have enough fuel for the workout. It would be wise to incorporate daily walking, but nothing extensive. Good luck!

Ironman2be

I did something like this last year...I would consume about 2 gallons of water a day and eat one large chicken breast in the evening after my workouts. I Lost 69 lbs in 60 days. I was around 310 at the time and ended about 240. I have to add though, every 10 lbs lost i treated myself to a good meal. which averaged out to about every 8 days or so.

I also ran like crazy, was doing swim training and cycling, burning crazy amounts of calories.

When i got to my goal weight, i went back to eating normal.

devil_in_a_blue_dress

I really think this is a question to ask your doctor.

jerzypeach

If this is what religion wants from us........no thank you. Not smart on two counts.....eating too little, and listening to a bunch of crusty old misogynists.

chris1816

Okay so unlike 80% of the responses I actually looked up the details on Ramadan (TO THE GOOGLES). I knew it was a month long fast but I had no idea of the deets.

So basically, there is no problem here, and no need to eat so little. You can and will be basically doing intermittent fasting, your fast lasting from dawn till dusk and then afterward you can eat. As someone else said meal frequency does not matter at all, and I actually practice intermittent fasting. The only difference is your fast period lasts a bit longer.

Peruse my diary and you get the idea. Basically between 2:00pm and 9:00pm I eat, after that, while I sleep, during the morning (I get up at 5:00 or earlier most days) and first chunk of the day I am fasted, even train fasted. You'll be fine.

You do not need to eat so little, which is what most people were zeroing in on and screaming like idiots., but I just think you overthought this.

Now one question (cuz I skimmed) are there restrictions on what you can eat? I was in Sudan for a bit during Ramadan and I remember lots of effing goat being cooked (was so delicious).

PS you can look up info on IF here: www.leangains.com but keep in mind you are talking about a much longer fasting window. Can still be done but you need to eat like a crazy person after dusk...nom sayin?

JanSmelly

If this is what religion wants from us........no thank you. Not smart on two counts.....eating too little, and listening to a bunch of crusty old misogynists.

It doesn't say eat 300-600 calories before sunrise and after sunset - That is her idea.

brk_1982

Why would you limit yourself before sunrise and after sunset? IMO it sounds like a silly plan.

This is ignorant. There is such a thing as Google to look up things you are not familiar with.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan
Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان‎ Ramaḍān, IPA: [rɑmɑˈdˤɑːn]; variations Persian: Ramazan‎; Urdu: Ramzān; Turkish: Ramazan) is the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days according to the visual sightings of the crescent moon according to numerous authenticated (Sahih) Hadiths.[2][3][4] It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which Muslims hoping for reward from Allah will -- only from dawn until dusk -- refrain from eating & drinking, sexual relations, forged speech & evil actions,[5] such as fighting and quarreling,[6] and increased recitation of the Qu'ran.[7] The benefits of fasting are many, but in this month, they are amplified.[8][9] Muslims fast in this month for the sake of demonstrating submission to God (Arabic: الله‎, trans: Allah)[10] and to offer more prayer than usual, as was the tradition of Muhammad

ETA: I don't think you should eat that little though, I am just defending the practice of fasting during particular hours. Try to get your 1200 calories anyway. :flowerforyou:

thenewmrsfitz

A few years ago I did a Very Low Calorie Diet i.e. 500cals worth of shake a day for 100 days. I needed the push to loose a load of weight in a short time.I was desperate and was supervised by medical professionals.I didn't last the full 100 days but nearly that long and lost loads of weight about 25kg's. Once I had done the first three days I no longer felt hungry as my body had gone into ketosis - fat burning.

Now the downside... it totally took over my life, someone mentioned bad breath yup it happens get some god mouth spray as gum makes you hungry,I had NO energy, restricting your food really brings emotional attachment and issues to the front of your mind. I had Cognitive therapy during this time to help me deal with these issues and change my attitudes towards food.You have to start introducing food carefully, I have kept my weight off and had to redevelop my metabolism. My sister on the other hand did the same diet and gained her weight back SUPER quick but made no life changes post shakes.

I wouldn't try a diet like this by yourself get some medical support ... its not a sustainable way to live but does help in the short term

Send me a message if you have any specific questions
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