Bedrest Help?

RunningTowardsFit
RunningTowardsFit Posts: 81 Member
edited January 6 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi friends,
I am currently 20 years old and roughly 118 lbs. (give or take depending on the day). I am currently on bed-rest for about 1-2 weeks. How many calories should I be eating? I set my calorie intake to sedentary which puts me at 1550 calories. Should I set it to my BMR which is about 1350?

Thanks! Suggestions welcome :)

Replies

  • now_or_never12
    now_or_never12 Posts: 849 Member
    Are you trying to gain or lose? I'm guessing gain or maintain based on your current weight?
  • RunningTowardsFit
    RunningTowardsFit Posts: 81 Member
    Yes, maintain would be great. I would prefer NOT to gain and seeing as losing is not mandatory right now, maintaining would be idea.
    Thanks for asking.
  • mizzie1980
    mizzie1980 Posts: 379 Member
    I don't know your height, but I did a quick BMR calculation, factoring in activity level of sedentary and it put you at 1660. Keep in mind that straight BMR is the calories needed just to keep you alive if you are in a coma. Even with bed rest, you will still probably sit up, shift position, hold a book, etc. Plus, your body will need calories to heal from what ever put you on bed rest to begin with.

    I'd stay about 1500-1700 daily. I highly doubt you'll gain.
  • RunningTowardsFit
    RunningTowardsFit Posts: 81 Member
    Hi Mizzie1980- thank you for your help. My height is 5'3. Thank you for taking the time to for replying and getting back to me :)
  • icimani
    icimani Posts: 1,454 Member
    Healing takes a lot of energy. I'd say keep an eye on what you're eating, be mindful and don't over-indulge, but don't obsess over it either. I'm guesing if you do Mizzie's suggestion for calories you'll be just fine.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,458 MFP Moderator
    Healing takes a lot of energy. I'd say keep an eye on what you're eating, be mindful and don't over-indulge, but don't obsess over it either. I'm guesing if you do Mizzie's suggestion for calories you'll be just fine.

    This. When your body heals, your metabolic rate actually increases and if you want to heal quicker, you should feed it adequate calories (especially protein). So if you can, I would probably eat around 1600-1700 calories and make it higher in protein. BTW, it's better to gain a few lbs on bed rest to heal faster and the you can work them back off.
  • now_or_never12
    now_or_never12 Posts: 849 Member
    If you are focusing on maintaining than set your activity level to sedetary and select maintain to find the calories you need to have daily.
  • RunningTowardsFit
    RunningTowardsFit Posts: 81 Member
    Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I like the idea that my body needs calories extra calories to recover. That is good to hear :)

    I am eating a lot of soup and oatmeal, I will be able to have some dairy later tonight, but that is all. Does this sound okay?
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,458 MFP Moderator
    Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I like the idea that my body needs calories extra calories to recover. That is good to hear :)

    I am eating a lot of soup and oatmeal, I will be able to have some dairy later tonight, but that is all. Does this sound okay?

    At this point, any food is better that no food. If you can add whey protein to your oatmeal, I would say it's a good viable option to increase protein intake and help with muscle retention.
  • icimani
    icimani Posts: 1,454 Member
    I agree with making sure you're adding someprotein to your meals. Maybe add a tablespoon of peanut butter to your oatmeal. it will still be easy to digest, give you some needed protein, with the added benefit that it tastes like peanut butter/oatmeal cookies!
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