Not hitting my daily calorie goal???

Hi everyone, for the past few days I've completed my diary and it says I've eaten less calories than I should be per day.
I'm not bothered about it but at the bottom of the screen it says my body can go into starvation mode and my metabolism can slow down and I know this can mean me putting on weight.

Should I eat more calories throughout the day or just carry on as I am and not eat anything else? Advice please!! :)

Replies

  • Eat, Eat, and Eat more!
  • I don't hit my calorie goal all the time either. People will rant to the degree that they look like Al Sharpton about starvation, etc.

    Considering how much you have to lose, as long as it's not a CONSISTENT problem, then I wouldn't worry about it.

    The easiest way I've found to reach my calorie limit is almond butter + avocado (not together). Or, I go for a treat I wouldn't normally have.
  • rose313
    rose313 Posts: 1,146 Member
    You won't get fat if you eat under your calorie goal, but you may start maintaining unintentionally, and it's very frustrating when your body stops losing when you are not even eating a lot. Eat eggs, avocado, peanut butter, and nuts to increase calories while still getting nutrients. Be careful with serving sizes especially with the peanut butter.
  • dare2love81
    dare2love81 Posts: 928 Member
    :angry:

    EAT

    You have to be eating very little to get that warning. You're doing serious damage to your metabolism if you keep it up.
  • ladyraven68
    ladyraven68 Posts: 2,003 Member
    Hi everyone, for the past few days I've completed my diary and it says I've eaten less calories than I should be per day.
    I'm not bothered about it but at the bottom of the screen it says my body can go into starvation mode and my metabolism can slow down and I know this can mean me putting on weight.

    Should I eat more calories throughout the day or just carry on as I am and not eat anything else? Advice please!! :)

    your calorie target is exactly that, a target, not a limit.

    try to stay within 50-100 calories of it either way. going too far under it is not a good idea as you will be creating too large a deficit.
  • BlueDancer
    BlueDancer Posts: 15 Member
    How much under are you?
  • lilteeraw
    lilteeraw Posts: 261
    Def. up your calories.
  • I'm in the same boat carla most days and being told I'm in starvation mode, when I look at my loss something must be working. You can't eat if your not hungry. I have a protein shake after the gym which is great. I only eat what my body allows and I hate going over my carbs. Maybe eat some fruit, I was surprised yesterday when a medium apple was around 70-80 calories? You will be fine x :flowerforyou:
  • carlaaa_x
    carlaaa_x Posts: 30 Member
    thanks everyone :)
  • alexbusnello
    alexbusnello Posts: 1,010 Member
    I learned the hard way......eat.
  • currierand
    currierand Posts: 155 Member
    I am no expert, but if this is only happening OCCASIONALLY, then I wouldn't worry about it. If this happens more than not, then you need to reassess and up your calorie intake. In my opinion, worry more about your net calories FOR THE WEEK as opposed to just one day.

    Good luck to you.

    Kelly
  • Always aim to hit that daily recommended amount. It's better for the long term weight loss and your sanity.
  • STrooper
    STrooper Posts: 659 Member
    By default, MFP will give you that warning any time your actual calorie intake is 1199 calories or less on any given day. Not a net remainder of 1199 but actual intake. If you are both exercising and on a greatly reduced energy intake you could have a real problem.

    I think the medical evidence is fairly strong that severly reduced calorie intake can trigger the starvation response in most humans. No single day will cause that. But the effect over time can produce the response that MFP is warning you about. Unless you have a medically supervised regimen of less than 1200 calories, I can think of no reason to consistently be below this threshold.
  • AliciaStaton
    AliciaStaton Posts: 328 Member
    Hi check that you have inputted your weight correctly. I made the mistake of doing that when I started and it kept saying that I was going in to starvation mode and once I looked at it I sorted it good luck