Low Calories

Joannie30

Ok, so here's my issue...

Most days, my calories per day are WAY too low, and i know this, but what i want to know is- is it such a bad thing? This is why i ask....

When i'm hungry, i eat and I eat what i want to eat. I don't deprive myself of things-ever! I'm not one of these silly girls who thinks if i starve myself i will lose weight faster. I don't starve myself, don't get hunger pains and i never tell myself i must not eat because i'm trying to lose weight. It just seems, since i've been changing my eating habits, i seem to have a vastly reduced appetite! I don't feel ill in any way as a result of my calories being so low and as far as i'm concerned I could easily maintain this way of eating for as long as i'm alive.

Quite often i have people telling me my calories are far too low and I need to eat more, but I don't see why I should be eating food when i'm not hungry, just for the sake of additional calories?

Is it just me? Or does anyone else have a similar issue?

126siany

I looked at a few days of your diary and I saw days with 480ish calories, 700 something and a high of 1092.

That IS far too low. There aren't many ways to "not be hungry" eating that little: eating disorder, or such a slow in metabolism that you don't feel hunger, or both.

ETA: Major depression could also cause the inappetance.

cramernh

I would not be asking your question here because its of a medical-variety. I would consult with both a physician overseeing your care and a Registered Dietician.... Eating too low without medical supervision is not smart at all - in fact it can be detrimental for some people (not all)... Let the real medical experts guide you with your question because they have access to your total health history... MFP is not a medical resource that has access....better to be safe!

Joannie30

again let me re-iterate that i don't eat this way on purpose to lose weight. I know it doesn't work that way.

I FAR from have an eating disorder. Trust me, when i wanna eat, i eat. I don't feel guilt about it/make myself sick etc.

126siany

again let me re-iterate that i don't eat this way on purpose to lose weight. I know it doesn't work that way.

I FAR from have an eating disorder. Trust me, when i wanna eat, i eat. I don't feel guilt about it/make myself sick etc.

I understand that is what you believe. Eating as little as you do is "disordered eating". What's causing it is anyone's guess, but if you print out your diaries and take them to a doctor, they will tell you the same.

I also now understand that you just wanted people to tell you that your eating habits are AOK. I wish you well on the road to better health, but you won't get there eating the way you are now.

sometimes_blondie

What about adding high calorie foods into your diet. Like a handful of almonds for a snack. They have a lot of calories in a small amount, but also have lots of nutrients as well. Or maybe a protein bar?

cramernh

again let me re-iterate that i don't eat this way on purpose to lose weight. I know it doesn't work that way.

I FAR from have an eating disorder. Trust me, when i wanna eat, i eat. I don't feel guilt about it/make myself sick etc.

WOW... I dont know why you jumped on the big assumption wagon like that.... clearly someone has made you feel that way but my post did not say anything of that matter at all. You asked, I suggested.

I dont know why you became overly offensive.. it was not necessary considering I never said any of that. You asked about lower than normal calories.. and I simply stated, that should be reviewed by your physician and perhaps also an RD.... I say that to all of my patients where I work because its good common sense.

Poods71

You have gotten used to eating less so you don't feel your hunger. If you have ever watched Supersize vs Superskinny they explain on this programme why eating so little is bad. You are not getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs and may feel great now but if you carry on eating like this you will end up with serious health problems.

cramernh

now that I have refreshed the screen, I do see the other posts now. Well... basically it is going to be construed as disordered eating because of what you have documented in your food diary....

Now I definitely can say - talk with your doctor and a registered dietician....before this becomes more of a problem....

Joannie30

again let me re-iterate that i don't eat this way on purpose to lose weight. I know it doesn't work that way.

I FAR from have an eating disorder. Trust me, when i wanna eat, i eat. I don't feel guilt about it/make myself sick etc.

WOW... I dont know why you jumped on the big assumption wagon like that.... clearly someone has made you feel that way but my post did not say anything of that matter at all. You asked, I suggested.

I dont know why you became overly offensive.. it was not necessary considering I never said any of that. You asked about lower than normal calories.. and I simply stated, that should be reviewed by your physician and perhaps also an RD.... I say that to all of my patients where I work because its good common sense.

No no i wasn't being overly offensive. Sorry that it came over that way. I just wanted to point out that i'm really not anorexic or anything else and i'm not stupid. (again not implying thats what you were suggesting, just saying). I know that i need to eat more to stop my muscle mass wasting away etc but i just don't know how to!

I didn't post so that people would tell me my eating habits are ok, because i know they're clearly not. I posted to see if anyone was going through a similar issue and if so what they are doing to remedy it, or to give me tips on what foods might be better for me to eat etc.

tigersword

Ok, so here's my issue...

Most days, my calories per day are WAY too low, and i know this, but what i want to know is- is it such a bad thing? This is why i ask....

When i'm hungry, i eat and I eat what i want to eat. I don't deprive myself of things-ever! I'm not one of these silly girls who thinks if i starve myself i will lose weight faster. I don't starve myself, don't get hunger pains and i never tell myself i must not eat because i'm trying to lose weight. It just seems, since i've been changing my eating habits, i seem to have a vastly reduced appetite! I don't feel ill in any way as a result of my calories being so low and as far as i'm concerned I could easily maintain this way of eating for as long as i'm alive.

Quite often i have people telling me my calories are far too low and I need to eat more, but I don't see why I should be eating food when i'm not hungry, just for the sake of additional calories?

Is it just me? Or does anyone else have a similar issue?

"Hunger" is a trained hormonal response to eating patterns. You don't feel hungry because your body has adjusted to not getting enough food, and it turns off the hunger pangs, because hunger pangs are distracting, and if food is so scarce that you are eating so little, then the distraction of a hunger pang could cause you to miss food.

Also, you've slowed your metabolism to an absolute crawl eating that low, which can lead to organ damage, muscle loss, and even organ failure. There's a reason the World Health Organization states that 1200 calories is the MINIMUM a woman should eat.

Joannie30

You have gotten used to eating less so you don't feel your hunger. If you have ever watched Supersize vs Superskinny they explain on this programme why eating so little is bad. You are not getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs and may feel great now but if you carry on eating like this you will end up with serious health problems.

I know its not quite enough, but i do take a multi-vitamin every day so i am getting some vitamins.

mhankosk

What about adding high calorie foods into your diet. Like a handful of almonds for a snack. They have a lot of calories in a small amount, but also have lots of nutrients as well. Or maybe a protein bar?

I agree with this. Try adding some greek yogurt or an avocado or 2. Good luck!

lilmisfit

You need more protein. Try adding some peanut butter, nuts, or protein shakes to your diet. It will increase your calories and your protein at the same time.

Poods71

You have gotten used to eating less so you don't feel your hunger. If you have ever watched Supersize vs Superskinny they explain on this programme why eating so little is bad. You are not getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs and may feel great now but if you carry on eating like this you will end up with serious health problems.

I know its not quite enough, but i do take a multi-vitamin every day so i am getting some vitamins.

Sorry, but it's definitely not enough. Your body needs food. Vitamins are for supplementing your diet not in place of it. As another poster said try adding little snacks like nuts etc. and you will be added much needed calories and getting an appetite back.

Hendrix7

losing scale weight =/= body composition/being healthy/looking good.

helenwilliams78

I noticed in your diary that you eat a diet ready meal on occasions. If you know you're not getting enough calories why not switch to a regular meal?
I agree with the extra protein as well....

Joannie30

So, say for example i started eating much more as of today. Do you think that's likely to stop me from having health problems or has the damage already been done?

Joannie30

losing scale weight =/= body composition/being healthy/looking good.

I know! That's my point! well, partly...

Poods71

So, say for example i started eating much more as of today. Do you think that's likely to stop me from having health problems or has the damage already been done?

I don't know how long you have been eating like this. If it's a short time then you are probably fine but if it has been long term then there could be some damage but this can be reversed with a normal healthy diet. Good luck :flowerforyou:

Joannie30

I noticed in your diary that you eat a diet ready meal on occasions. If you know you're not getting enough calories why not switch to a regular meal?
I agree with the extra protein as well....

Diet ready meal? I haven't eaten a ready meal since I moved to England almost 3 years ago?! I cook all my meals from scratch as far as possible. I've recently stopped even using jars of pasta sauce/packet mixes....

:noway:

Joannie30

So, say for example i started eating much more as of today. Do you think that's likely to stop me from having health problems or has the damage already been done?

I don't know how long you have been eating like this. If it's a short time then you are probably fine but if it has been long term then there could be some damage but this can be reversed with a normal healthy diet. Good luck :flowerforyou:

Thanks!

x_JT_x

OP, I can relate to what you're saying. Most days I struggle to reach 1,000 calories. Just like you, I eat when I'm hungry. Although I think my food intake is fairly well balanced - other than I need to work in more veggies. But the thing is, I always eat this way and even so I'm still over weight. Not by a lot - I weigh under 140 - but according to body calculators I've found on MFP I have 31% body fat. How accurate that is, I don't know but I'd be willing to bet it's pretty close. I've never understood how this can be, with as little as I eat and yet it is. So yes, I think it is a bad thing. Not sure how to fix it though.

JesterMFP

Just to agree with what others are saying - yes you definitely need to eat more, and on a consistent basis. Taking a vitamin pill isn't gong to do the job. Your body needs a good amount of proper nutrients - fats, proteins, carbs, and it also needs the actual energy (calories) provided from food. Your body needs calories to perform all its basic functions. Even the micronutrients are important - your body absorbs them much better from food than through a pill. It's not that uncommon to struggle with this - threads like this crop up frequently. It's also very common for people to not feel hungry when they are consistently undereating. That lack of hunger should not be taken to mean that your body doesn't need more food; it's just stopped asking you for more food. That's not a good sign.

To get more food in without feeling stuffed, aim for more calorie dense foods like seeds, nuts, avocados, nut butters, full fat dairy products etc. Full fat everything. Add olive oil to your cooking. I see that you had a portion of Hairy Dieter's low fat pie for example (which might be what another poster thought was a ready meal). When you're so low on calories you shouldn't be looking for diet versions of things. Don't go for the "light choices" sandwiches! Add a little extra pasta to your portions, instead of one egg, have two. Instead of 5 cherry tomatoes, have 10, instead of a small banana, have a large one. Remember you can also drink your calories - milk, protein shakes, smoothies etc. A lot of this is psychological, even if it doesn't feel like it. When you are so used to eating a certain way, it can be hard to step out of that zone. Make small changes and keep at it until they become habit.

Joannie30

Just to agree with what others are saying - yes you definitely need to eat more, and on a consistent basis. Taking a vitamin pill isn't gong to do the job. Your body needs a good amount of proper nutrients - fats, proteins, carbs, and it also needs the actual energy (calories) provided from food. Your body needs calories to perform all its basic functions. Even the micronutrients are important - your body absorbs them much better from food than through a pill. It's not that uncommon to struggle with this - threads like this crop up frequently. It's also very common for people to not feel hungry when they are consistently undereating. That lack of hunger should not be taken to mean that your body doesn't need more food; it's just stopped asking you for more food. That's not a good sign.

To get more food in without feeling stuffed, aim for more calorie dense foods like seeds, nuts, avocados, nut butters, full fat dairy products etc. Full fat everything. Add olive oil to your cooking. I see that you had a portion of Hairy Dieter's low fat pie for example (which might be what another poster thought was a ready meal). When you're so low on calories you shouldn't be looking for diet versions of things. Don't go for the "light choices" sandwiches! Add a little extra pasta to your portions, instead of one egg, have two. Instead of 5 cherry tomatoes, have 10, instead of a small banana, have a large one. Remember you can also drink your calories - milk, protein shakes, smoothies etc. A lot of this is psychological, even if it doesn't feel like it. When you are so used to eating a certain way, it can be hard to step out of that zone. Make small changes and keep at it until they become habit.

Thanks for that response. I wish i could add more pasta (because i love it) but i have a pre-existing medical condition which requires me to watch my carbs. (not related to my low cal eating)

I wish i could eat nuts but i HATE them! I've tried lots of times but i just can't stomach them at all.

As from today i'm on a serious mission to up my calories by as much as i can. I've just spent the past hour crying about my problem but i know thats not going to fix it.

Should i up/reduce my exercise? (currently 4 times a week cardio/strength but i dont log it due to no hrm)

JesterMFP

I wouldn't reduce your exercise, but that makes it even more important to up your calories! Do you like dairy products? If so, that could be useful. Also, I saw eggs in your diary, so a few more of those maybe. I think protein powder could be very useful for you as well, especially as you have to watch carbs. It might be worth going to your GP about this and seeing if they will refer you to a nutritionist for some advice. You're obviously trying. They might be able to recommend something different.

Joannie30

I wouldn't reduce your exercise, but that makes it even more important to up your calories! Do you like dairy products? If so, that could be useful. Also, I saw eggs in your diary, so a few more of those maybe. I think protein powder could be very useful for you as well, especially as you have to watch carbs. It might be worth going to your GP about this and seeing if they will refer you to a nutritionist for some advice. You're obviously trying. They might be able to recommend something different.

Yes i AM trying!! Thank for realising that!

I do like dairy products and eggs and i eat them quite often. I eat meat in my evening meal every night. I know i'm still not getting enough protein though...

I know i need to do something about this before i harm myself. I just need some help.

I'm currently eating some banana and wholemeal toast (even though i'm not feeling hungry). If it will do me good in the long run though i just have to do it.

Thank you!

Joannie30

I looked at a few days of your diary and I saw days with 480ish calories, 700 something and a high of 1092.

That IS far too low. There aren't many ways to "not be hungry" eating that little: eating disorder, or such a slow in metabolism that you don't feel hunger, or both.

ETA: Major depression could also cause the inappetance.

I don't have major depression. I'm happier now than i've ever been in my life, but yeah, i see what you're saying. Sometimes i do leave things out of my diary, by the way (if i don't know how to log them or just forget to add em or whatever) and at least once a week my partner and i eat out so those cals may not be accurate.

Thanks! :flowerforyou:

Joannie30

I've just gone through my whole diary, recipies etc and i've realised that i have been TOTALLY UNDERESTIMATING my calories on some of the things i've been logging!!!!!!!!!!! Just by not adding olive oil in my recipies i've been logging 100 or so less cals than i've been having! So manybe my problem isn't as bad as i thought.....?

helenwilliams78

I noticed in your diary that you eat a diet ready meal on occasions. If you know you're not getting enough calories why not switch to a regular meal?
I agree with the extra protein as well....

Diet ready meal? I haven't eaten a ready meal since I moved to England almost 3 years ago?! I cook all my meals from scratch as far as possible. I've recently stopped even using jars of pasta sauce/packet mixes....

:noway:

I was referring to Hairy Dieters - Low-Fat Minced Beef and Potato Pie.... Not a ready meal? Sorry!

Joannie30

I noticed in your diary that you eat a diet ready meal on occasions. If you know you're not getting enough calories why not switch to a regular meal?
I agree with the extra protein as well....

Diet ready meal? I haven't eaten a ready meal since I moved to England almost 3 years ago?! I cook all my meals from scratch as far as possible. I've recently stopped even using jars of pasta sauce/packet mixes....

:noway:

I was referring to Hairy Dieters - Low-Fat Minced Beef and Potato Pie.... Not a ready meal? Sorry!

Haha no definitely NOT a ready meal. lol! The irony of that one is, my partner prepared and baked these from scratch and of everything he has ever cooked me- that took him the longest and the most work!!!! :laugh:

Jx