Starvation mode?
Candylips70
Posts: 29
I have developed a bad habit of not eating regularly, which I have learned has put my body in 'starvation mode'. My normal routine consists of a couple cups of coffee (with sugar free creamer) in the morning, and then a big dinner at night. I will occasionally eat something mid day, but not regularly. I am generally active, but I don't work out (yet). I have tried in the past to eat on a schedule (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks) but I have ALWAYS gained weight, which of course makes me stop the routine! Are there any tips on how I can get into a routine of eating regularly, especially when I don't feel hungry, and still lose weight?
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Replies
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What makes you think you're in starvation mode.0
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I'm not an expert, but here are my thoughts. You definitely seem like you're eating a low amount of calories everyday. The theory of starvation mode suggests that if you're not eating enough food, as soon as you DO eat enough, you're body starts to store that food rather than burn it. It would make sense that you'd start gaining weight after adding more calories b/c your body isn't used the increased amount. For health reasons alone, you should eat the normal number of calories you need just to MAINTAIN weight. You can get that number using this calculator (http://www.caloriecontrol.org/healthy-weight-tool-kit/weight-maintenance-calculator-women). However, If you're trying to lose weight, you might have to decrease your maintenance level of calories or increase your exercise. With that said, you should never go below 1200 calories per day.
Hope I didn't butcher that explanation! Remember, I'm not an expert, but I've done enough research and had my own experiences to know eat too little just isn't good for you.
Good luck!0 -
I have developed a bad habit of not eating regularly, which I have learned has put my body in 'starvation mode'. My normal routine consists of a couple cups of coffee (with sugar free creamer) in the morning, and then a big dinner at night. I will occasionally eat something mid day, but not regularly. I am generally active, but I don't work out (yet). I have tried in the past to eat on a schedule (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks) but I have ALWAYS gained weight, which of course makes me stop the routine! Are there any tips on how I can get into a routine of eating regularly, especially when I don't feel hungry, and still lose weight?
How big a dinner are we talking here?.....1500 calories? If so, then you're fine.
Start logging those meals. Under-eating is not good.0 -
Calorie intake over time is what matters, you can eat one meal a day or fifty.0
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Mind you, I'm not a doctor, but this is my understanding...if you've been eating below your BMR for a significant amount of time, your metabolism stalls...when you up the calories to eat to a healthier calorie intake, your body is so used to being "starved" that it just stores those calories. This can go on for some time (i've seen it in people that I know) and in fact, they can gain a significant amount of weight even though they're eating at a perfectly healthy calorie goal. Eventually, the metabolism resets and if you're somewhere between your BMR and TDEE, you will start to take that weight off.
Eating below your BMR for a significant amount of time does a serious number on you metabolism as well as your internal organs and body in general. I've know a couple people who've gone through this, and it was very tough and they both ultimately needed help from professionals and group therapies because as soon as they would start gaining weight, they'd just stop eating again and it was one big vicious cycle.
Good luck to you and you will be in my well wishes.0 -
Drop the sugar free stuff in your coffee.I have developed a bad habit of not eating regularly, which I have learned has put my body in 'starvation mode'. My normal routine consists of a couple cups of coffee (with sugar free creamer) in the morning, and then a big dinner at night. I will occasionally eat something mid day, but not regularly. I am generally active, but I don't work out (yet). I have tried in the past to eat on a schedule (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks) but I have ALWAYS gained weight, which of course makes me stop the routine! Are there any tips on how I can get into a routine of eating regularly, especially when I don't feel hungry, and still lose weight?
Replace with real half and half (1 tablespoon or two), no sugar. Don't need the blood sugar spike without any other food to combat it.
Eat some real food around noon ensuring you have protein (that is, don't just eat a bagel with butter or something)
Eat dinner.
You just have to set aside time to eat. Make it important.0 -
I have developed a bad habit of not eating regularly, which I have learned has put my body in 'starvation mode'. My normal routine consists of a couple cups of coffee (with sugar free creamer) in the morning, and then a big dinner at night. I will occasionally eat something mid day, but not regularly. I am generally active, but I don't work out (yet). I have tried in the past to eat on a schedule (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks) but I have ALWAYS gained weight, which of course makes me stop the routine! Are there any tips on how I can get into a routine of eating regularly, especially when I don't feel hungry, and still lose weight?
You are not giving us enough information. What is your BMR and TDEE? How many calories are you consuming each day?0 -
Don't need the blood sugar spike without any other food to combat it.
huh?
Also, there is sugar in half and half, not that it matters0 -
What makes you think you're in starvation mode.
She goes into it every morning when all she has is that coffee.0 -
What makes you think you're in starvation mode.
She goes into it every morning when all she has is that coffee.
Can't tell if serious...0 -
Calorie intake over time is what matters, you can eat one meal a day or fifty.
This is true. I think whatever works for you. Everybody is different. As long as you are getting vitamins or your nutrients and some veggies too. It sounds like you are doing a morning fast which is not bad. have you ever hears of the eight hour fast or four hour fast. it really works. Lots of people are on it. it does not work for me because I am different I have to have some kind of breakfast and I have to eat dinner with my family but being on this website has made me realize that things work for different people.0 -
O yeah and dont forget your protein. If you are not eating enough protein just by those protein shakes.0
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you're not in starvation mode.0
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What makes you think you're in starvation mode.
She goes into it every morning when all she has is that coffee.
Can't tell if serious...
Not really. Perhaps starvation is the wrong term being used here. "Metabolic Coma" is more like it. I will say that not eating breakfast is no good way to lose weight, but I assume that it can be done.0 -
Most people who do IF (intermittent fasting) skip breakfast.
I skip breakfast every day and get all my calories (1500) in over a 1 hour window. That said, I've never really been a breakfast person so it wasn't too difficult for me to start IF.
Just try to monitor your calories.0 -
You aren't in starvation mode and there's nothing wrong with only eating once a day if you get your calories in during that meal. Lots of people eat that way and are just fine. Most people can't manage to go that long without food but if you can and that works for you then there's no need to change. Starvation mode requires you to be at minimal calories per day for months. Skipping a meal doesn't put you in starvation mode.0
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You aren't in starvation mode and there's nothing wrong with only eating once a day if you get your calories in during that meal. Lots of people eat that way and are just fine. Most people can't manage to go that long without food but if you can and that works for you then there's no need to change. Starvation mode requires you to be at minimal calories per day for months. Skipping a meal doesn't put you in starvation mode.
sigh.
really? there's nothing wrong with eating one 2000 calorie meal a day?
I'm really curious why you think this.0 -
Starvation mode is a myth , 50 or 60 years ago people didn't eat the. Crap we eat today working class had to manage on few home made meals with food they grew. Go back to basics I say , it's easy cook from fresh have loads of veg and don't listen to the rubbish people come up with who think they know it all and no nothing.0
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Starvation mode is a myth , 50 or 60 years ago people didn't eat the. Crap we eat today working class had to manage on few home made meals with food they grew. Go back to basics I say , it's easy cook from fresh have loads of veg and don't listen to the rubbish people come up with who think they know it all and no nothing.
why are our opinions rubbish and yours gospel? i think all of us need to preface our nutrition advice with "in my opinion" because there are LOTS of viewpoints on the subject.
for example, people back then were USED to eating less food. you take someone in today's society who has typically eaten 3, 4, 5,000 calories a day, and they suddenly switch to 800 a day, they WILL go into what's referred to as "starvation mode" because their bodies aren't used to so few calories.
in my opinion.0 -
You aren't in starvation mode and there's nothing wrong with only eating once a day if you get your calories in during that meal. Lots of people eat that way and are just fine. Most people can't manage to go that long without food but if you can and that works for you then there's no need to change. Starvation mode requires you to be at minimal calories per day for months. Skipping a meal doesn't put you in starvation mode.
sigh.
really? there's nothing wrong with eating one 2000 calorie meal a day?
I'm really curious why you think this.
I'm curious as to why you think it's instantly wrong. Not everyone can follow that sort of IF plan if they find that a.) their energy lags or b.) they're prone to binge eating. However, that's enough science behind IF and AF practices that find that doing that, or doing things like that, is just as healthy (often with even more health benefits, like better cholesterol ratios, better BP, and optimum fat loss if at a deficit still) as 3 meals a day, or 5 meals a day. "Three meals a day" is a fairly new phenomenon in terms of humans and eating... and I mean that both in terms of evolution and sociology. Long term studies have found benefits from this, but even short term periods of this show no adverse effects, as there's quite a few studies on the health and weight of Muslims during Ramadan (they don't lose or gain weight when eating maintenance calories in one meal after fasting all day... for a month).
And, as has been posted ad nauseum, there's been very well known studies that show that eating a day's worth of calories in one sitting does not put you into starvation mode... consistent HIGH deficits over a period of time longer than 6-8 hours of sleep a night is what puts a body into starvation mode.0 -
You aren't in starvation mode and there's nothing wrong with only eating once a day if you get your calories in during that meal. Lots of people eat that way and are just fine. Most people can't manage to go that long without food but if you can and that works for you then there's no need to change. Starvation mode requires you to be at minimal calories per day for months. Skipping a meal doesn't put you in starvation mode.
sigh.
really? there's nothing wrong with eating one 2000 calorie meal a day?
I'm really curious why you think this.
I'm curious as to why you think it's instantly wrong. Not everyone can follow that sort of IF plan if they find that a.) their energy lags or b.) they're prone to binge eating. However, that's enough science behind IF and AF practices that find that doing that, or doing things like that, is just as healthy (often with even more health benefits, like better cholesterol ratios, better BP, and optimum fat loss if at a deficit still) as 3 meals a day, or 5 meals a day. "Three meals a day" is a fairly new phenomenon in terms of humans and eating... and I mean that both in terms of evolution and sociology. Long term studies have found benefits from this, but even short term periods of this show no adverse effects, as there's quite a few studies on the health and weight of Muslims during Ramadan (they don't lose or gain weight when eating maintenance calories in one meal after fasting all day... for a month).
And, as has been posted ad nauseum, there's been very well known studies that show that eating a day's worth of calories in one sitting does not put you into starvation mode... consistent HIGH deficits over a period of time longer than 6-8 hours of sleep a night is what puts a body into starvation mode.
see my second post.
also, I didn't argue for 3 meals a day either did i?
but here's some interesting info:
"A US Department of Agriculture study found that eating just one large meal a day versus three normal-sized meals lowers weight and body fat but raises blood pressure; three meals per day lowers blood pressure. A National Institute on Aging study found that eating one large meal a day rather than three raises insulin resistance and glucose intolerance: two key features of type-2 diabetes. "
so... it has its risks0 -
You aren't in starvation mode and there's nothing wrong with only eating once a day if you get your calories in during that meal. Lots of people eat that way and are just fine. Most people can't manage to go that long without food but if you can and that works for you then there's no need to change. Starvation mode requires you to be at minimal calories per day for months. Skipping a meal doesn't put you in starvation mode.
sigh.
really? there's nothing wrong with eating one 2000 calorie meal a day?
I'm really curious why you think this.
I'm curious as to why you think it's instantly wrong. Not everyone can follow that sort of IF plan if they find that a.) their energy lags or b.) they're prone to binge eating. However, that's enough science behind IF and AF practices that find that doing that, or doing things like that, is just as healthy (often with even more health benefits, like better cholesterol ratios, better BP, and optimum fat loss if at a deficit still) as 3 meals a day, or 5 meals a day. "Three meals a day" is a fairly new phenomenon in terms of humans and eating... and I mean that both in terms of evolution and sociology. Long term studies have found benefits from this, but even short term periods of this show no adverse effects, as there's quite a few studies on the health and weight of Muslims during Ramadan (they don't lose or gain weight when eating maintenance calories in one meal after fasting all day... for a month).
And, as has been posted ad nauseum, there's been very well known studies that show that eating a day's worth of calories in one sitting does not put you into starvation mode... consistent HIGH deficits over a period of time longer than 6-8 hours of sleep a night is what puts a body into starvation mode.
see my second post.
also, I didn't argue for 3 meals a day either did i?
but here's some interesting info:
"A US Department of Agriculture study found that eating just one large meal a day versus three normal-sized meals lowers weight and body fat but raises blood pressure; three meals per day lowers blood pressure. A National Institute on Aging study found that eating one large meal a day rather than three raises insulin resistance and glucose intolerance: two key features of type-2 diabetes. "
so... it has its risks
Are you really going to take food advice from the Department of Agriculture?
I'm not usually one for conspiracies but I think there's a good chance of there being one there, seeing as their primary interest is making sure you and I buy as much food as possible. They're the ones pushing 6 meals a day. I suggest you get your information from more impartial sources.0 -
You aren't in starvation mode and there's nothing wrong with only eating once a day if you get your calories in during that meal. Lots of people eat that way and are just fine. Most people can't manage to go that long without food but if you can and that works for you then there's no need to change. Starvation mode requires you to be at minimal calories per day for months. Skipping a meal doesn't put you in starvation mode.
sigh.
really? there's nothing wrong with eating one 2000 calorie meal a day?
I'm really curious why you think this.
I'm curious as to why you think it's instantly wrong. Not everyone can follow that sort of IF plan if they find that a.) their energy lags or b.) they're prone to binge eating. However, that's enough science behind IF and AF practices that find that doing that, or doing things like that, is just as healthy (often with even more health benefits, like better cholesterol ratios, better BP, and optimum fat loss if at a deficit still) as 3 meals a day, or 5 meals a day. "Three meals a day" is a fairly new phenomenon in terms of humans and eating... and I mean that both in terms of evolution and sociology. Long term studies have found benefits from this, but even short term periods of this show no adverse effects, as there's quite a few studies on the health and weight of Muslims during Ramadan (they don't lose or gain weight when eating maintenance calories in one meal after fasting all day... for a month).
And, as has been posted ad nauseum, there's been very well known studies that show that eating a day's worth of calories in one sitting does not put you into starvation mode... consistent HIGH deficits over a period of time longer than 6-8 hours of sleep a night is what puts a body into starvation mode.
see my second post.
also, I didn't argue for 3 meals a day either did i?
but here's some interesting info:
"A US Department of Agriculture study found that eating just one large meal a day versus three normal-sized meals lowers weight and body fat but raises blood pressure; three meals per day lowers blood pressure. A National Institute on Aging study found that eating one large meal a day rather than three raises insulin resistance and glucose intolerance: two key features of type-2 diabetes. "
so... it has its risks
Are you really going to take food advice from the Department of Agriculture?
I'm not usually one for conspiracies but I think there's a good chance of there being one there, seeing as their primary interest is making sure you and I buy as much food as possible. They're the ones pushing 6 meals a day. I suggest you get your information from more impartial sources.
haha absolutely not. i think the FDA and the governmental food machine is beyond messed up. There's a vested interest in keeping all of us alive but sick.
however, 2000 calories in one meal vs. 2000 in 6 meals is still the same... amount... of food... so... your theory falls apart a bit.0 -
It's the same amount of calories, but it's not the same amount of food unless you're buying all the little snacks you'd otherwise buy and eating them during your one meal.
I'd assume that most people who do IF are like me and buy their food in bulk. I'm spending far less on food now than I was when I was eating 5 meals a day.
The other industry that pushes the 5 meal a day plan is the supplement industry who want you to pay extortionate prices for their protein bars. They've also perpetuated the myth that we can only consume 30g of protein at a time (I wonder why).
The Department of Agriculture or the supplement industry isn't going to fund and/or publicise research into IF since they'd lose billions. The science behind fasting is there though, if you want to look for it.0 -
It's the same amount of calories, but it's not the same amount of food unless you're buying all the little snacks you'd otherwise buy and eating them during your one meal.
I'd assume that most people who do IF are like me and buy their food in bulk. I'm spending far less on food now than I was when I was eating 5 meals a day.
The other industry that pushes the 5 meal a day plan is the supplement industry who want you to pay extortionate prices for their protein bars. They've also perpetuated the myth that we can only consume 30g of protein at a time (I wonder why).
The Department of Agriculture or the supplement industry isn't going to fund and/or publicise research into IF since they'd lose billions. The science behind fasting is there though, if you want to look for it.
I also buy food in bulk, and eat 6 meals a day. i also pay less than i used to. I mean...
there's also science behind keeping your metabolism going consistently instead of making it spike and drop constantly.
There's "science" to prove whatever you want it to prove.0 -
Do you not think the agriculture industry would lose a significant amount of money if half of the US switched from eating 6 meals a day to one meal a day? If you don't, I mean...
Your second point is the first 'myth' to be debunked on here: http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html
You have the question the motives of your sources. The agriculture and supplement industry have obvious motives for pushing their agendas. The science behind fasting and calorie restriction (nothing as extreme as 800 calories I think) has been tested both in the lab on animals and on people over many decades.0 -
Hiya! I have found that small meals with midmorning snack, midafternoon snack, and yes even dessert work best at amping up my metabolism. For this type of eating I follow the general guidelines/meal plan of the SouthBeach diet...most full meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) come in at around 300-400 calories, with three snacks a day at around 100. That keeps intake to between 1000-1500 (although you should never go below 1200). There is some contention about whether this will or will not speed up your metabolism to any great effect, however, I have found the benefit is being satisfied while dieting and not binge eating or feeling deprived. Good luck!0
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Do you not think the agriculture industry would lose a significant amount of money if half of the US switched from eating 6 meals a day to one meal a day? If you don't, I mean...
Your second point is the first 'myth' to be debunked on here: http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html
You have the question the motives of your sources. The agriculture and supplement industry have obvious motives for pushing their agendas. The science behind fasting and calorie restriction (nothing as extreme as 800 calories I think) has been tested both in the lab on animals and on people over many decades.
haha that was an example, man. I can find more. there are PLENTY of arguments on both sides of this issue.
i'll give you one you can see in your every day life.
do you have pets? a cat maybe? do you know someone who does? when you leave a bowl of food out for the cat, do they eat ONE meal a day and let it be, or do they graze periodically throughout the day, never eating one large meal?
the answer is the latter. they don't have the internet or science or studies telling them what to do - they do what's been evolutionarily programed into their DNA.
I don't claim to say that i know with 100% certainty that my way's the best way, but it's worked really well for me! All I ask is that we dispense with this "I AM 100% POSITIVE I'M RIGHT THAT MY WAY IS THE ONLY WAY" mentality that so many people on these boards seem to have. That too much to ask?0 -
Starvation mode is a myth , 50 or 60 years ago people didn't eat the. Crap we eat today working class had to manage on few home made meals with food they grew. Go back to basics I say , it's easy cook from fresh have loads of veg and don't listen to the rubbish people come up with who think they know it all and no nothing.
why are our opinions rubbish and yours gospel? i think all of us need to preface our nutrition advice with "in my opinion" because there are LOTS of viewpoints on the subject.
for example, people back then were USED to eating less food. you take someone in today's society who has typically eaten 3, 4, 5,000 calories a day, and they suddenly switch to 800 a day, they WILL go into what's referred to as "starvation mode" because their bodies aren't used to so few calories.
in my opinion.
Why are you so quick to think everything you say is right? Back your ideas up with some facts if you're so sure that you're always right!0
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