800 Calorie Diet Recommended by Doctor

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Replies

  • cheesy_blasters
    cheesy_blasters Posts: 283 Member
    Conventional DR's do not know how to get to the root of problems, they only know how to put temporary band aids on them. If you are truly wanting to get healthy, I will say it again, look for a holistic nutritionist. They will help you find the core of your problem and help you improve your overall health the right way. Most of our health issues can be traced back to what we eat and what we are exposed to through the environment. Even if you eat 1200 calories per day, if you don't eat the right foods your health will not necessarily improve.

    I had amazing results with a holistic nutritionist and ND combo. Changed my life. I can't recommend that option enough now. I had terrible experiences with my MD so I'm always leery but I think good doctors (no matter their background) can be open to collaborating with other specialists. Don't be afraid to get other opinions if you need reassurance.
  • BandedTriaRN
    BandedTriaRN Posts: 303
    I do less than that but only because I am really determined, have so many health issues both genetic and obesity related, and I don't seem to lose weight any other way. I'm not hungry most of the time. I tried to do more calories for a while but I just started gaining and stalled in my weight loss. I'm getting my thyroid checked by an endocrinologist in July (earliest we can get an appointment and hope this one doesn't cancel like the two others we have tried to see).

    The women's plan on medifast is 800-1000 calories a day. If you feel you need another opinion, why don't you see a certified or registered nutritionist or go to Weight Watchers or something? I really doubt, without the lap band, that I could stick on such a low calorie diet for longer than 6 months without a LOT of help.

    Good luck to you regardless of what you choose!
    PS: I would look at actual scientific (University and NIH.gov) research over anything written on here. Even if people say they are this or that online, you never really know.
  • diabolotry
    diabolotry Posts: 14 Member
    I also have a low functioning thyroid and this is exactly what my doctor recommended for me. Maybe because I have a lot more weight to lose, but my doctor gave me a very specific diet to follow that decreased my calories over time. I have other health problems that we discovered while I was cutting calories and exercising (apparently I'm prone to fainting; overheating, working out and under eating increase my risk) so I only made it to 1200 calories/day before we had to stop. I've since been cutting back again and have been doing much better.

    One thing I have noticed is my energy levels while cutting calories actually increased. I felt less sluggish, wasn't as fatigued. I did lose weight during that time period (about 15lbs total) that I kept off. WHAT you eat makes a big difference, too.
  • nanatrudy
    nanatrudy Posts: 1
    As part of my medical insurance, because mine an my husband's BMI was ovwe 30, we were required to go into a weight management program for lower premiums. We were invited to attend a program through the university here. I have hypothyroidism and A1C was 6.5 (diabetic but no medicene yet)....started the program March 1st and had weekly visits with Dr. for first month, nutritionist too, then once a month with nutritionist. We used HMR shakes and veggies....calories were 800 for three months, then you go into a diet. The goal is for you to lose 15% of your body weight in the first three months QUICK so you will see a success and then can go into a 1200 calorie diet. The program committment was two years. So far, I have lost 60 pounds and feel great, and am ready to move up to 1000-1200 calories. My bloodwork has come back and everything is great......so I say go for it.
  • Prudiddy
    Prudiddy Posts: 262 Member
    My doctor told me I could go as low as 700 Calories/day.

    So did mine, I do it all the time now and I feel just fine and I work out. If you think 800 is too low check out how much food you can get out of my diary today. So far almost to 600 and I will probably add on a night snack depending on how I feel. I think it is a matter of learning what foods fill you up and give you the feeling of satiety. I have been working on this food thing and I have just about found a 800-900 calorie diet that makes me feel stuffed throughout the day. Just take a look at my diary, I have learned how to work it! The numbers that is they are only numbers and I end up with all the nutrients I need. I'm really hooked now. No stopping me. Good luck.
  • MotivatedMom2012
    MotivatedMom2012 Posts: 44
    800 calories is RIDICULOUS and it is NOT perfectly fine. REMEMBER - some Doctors BARELY passed their tests and others passed with flying colours. Some truly care, some don't. Listen to your instinct and always get a second opinion if something doesn't feel quite right.

    Eating 800 calories a day and walking for 1 hour means your body will not be getting the adequate energy it NEEDS and you will be exhausted. You can even put your body into starvation mode where you won't burn ANY calories because it's trying to survive.

    Use this link to calculate BMR http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

    Then use this link to see how many calories you need to eat to maintain your current weight. Then you can subtract 500 calories. So that is how many calories to eat per day.

    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/

    If you need help please feel free to message me, I love numbers :)
  • suziecue66
    suziecue66 Posts: 1,312 Member
    I have a 7 day meal plan from a nutritionist and some days are as low as 700 calories...I felt fine on it besides starving the first few days to get used to such a little amount. I lost 30lbs doing it a few years ago.

    This!! Easy for doctor to say go away and eat 800 calories - but what you need is a proper diet plan as above so you are getting the most nutrients possible out of the 800 calories. So a referall to a dietician is needed to give you detailed diet. Also, love them or hate them, meal replacement shakes can provide lots of nutritients for minimal calories.
  • saraann4
    saraann4 Posts: 1,296 Member
    I have an underactive thyroid also and the main thing that does is slow down every sysytem in your body, especially your metabolism - more so than "normal" people. I don't think 800 calories is too low and he probably knows what he's talking about because since your thyroid is making your metabolism so slow, you may not burn as many calories a day resting as MFP calculates. So if you are trying to lose weight, that may be what it takes to see a difference.

    However, I hope this is just temporary and he prescribed you a thyroid medication. I have been on it for about 5 years now and when I first started, it took a month or so but soon it was amazing how different and energetic I felt. After that medication kicks in and starts regulating your thyroid hormone, you should burn more and not have to be at 800. THAT IS JUST FROM MY EXPERIENCE THOUGH- I AM NOT A DOCTOR!! :) just to clarify ;-)

    thank you for your insight on this. you describe it a bit easier and that it is possible. thankfully i've never had to deal with something like that. hopefully it is only short term for people to be on that kind of diet.
    But one question- do you take all your nutrition through supplements? i can't see you getting even close to half the nutrition you actually need with such a low cal intake !
    just curious

    No - I eat a normal diet. I just take levothyroxine which regulates your thyroid hormone and speeds it up. ive never had a special diet but as sluggish as I was I wouldn't be surprised if my metabolism would have only allowed me to burn 800 resting.

    I have to put my little opinion in this only because I also have an underactive thryoid which I was also taking levothyroxine. Currently off of it and let me tell you...feeling the the aftermath (tired ALL the time) My doctor never gave me a specific calorie diet to follow except to eat healthy (more fruits, veggies, don't add salt, add fish like tuna) I personally think 800 calories is too low. I know I am not the greatest example because I am satisifed on 900 calories a day. I'm currently inbetween doctors right now. I think you as a human being with or w/out having an underactive thyroid has to realize 800 calories isn't realistic for the long run. I know it's not. If I were you, I'd get a second opinion. 800 calories a day isn't realistic for the long run. Yeah, sure it's great for the short term because you lose weight. I'm constantly trying to find ways to up my calories in a healthy way. Hope this helps =x
  • saraann4
    saraann4 Posts: 1,296 Member
    Also, add in working out and I'm totally in the negative. Do I feel fine? Absolutely? Do I try to eat more? Yes!
  • josyjozy
    josyjozy Posts: 117 Member
    Also agreeing to ask for a referral to see a dietitian and/or get a second opinion.
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
    The most important thing to find out is what type of Thyroid issue you are doing with. Roughly 90% of low thyroid issues are as a result of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and this is an autoimmune issue. There is a large correlation between Hashimoto's and Celiac Sprue or Gluten intolerances. It might be worth it to have this checked out as well. If you have this type of thyroid issue you will definitely need to compose your diet different than you would if it were just low thyroid. As far as 800 calories a day, you could subsist on that for some time. There have been plenty of studies conducted at that level of caloric intake. As for an N=1 trial on myself, I had to put myself on an autoimmune protocol to help regulate my thyroid and lose weight. Grains, dairy, and legume can cause stomach irritation which lead to "leaky gut" and autoimmune disorders. An emphasis should be placed on saturated fat and protein with leafy greens and some other cruciferous type vegetables rounding out your calories. This is a relatively Low Carbohydrate diet and your body will shift for carbohydrate burning to fat burning as it will need to get it's energy for your brain from the protein intake. In reality you don't need carbohydrates to live and there is no such thing as an "essential carbohydrate". Your body can produce carbohydrates (glucose) from protein and fat through the process of gluconeogenesis. You also want to make sure that you stay away from iodine during this time as that can flare thyroid symptoms.

    :heart: :heart: :heart:
  • graelwyn
    graelwyn Posts: 1,340 Member
    Your doctor sounds like an unknowledgeable idiot, advising someone to eat that low, and to walk for an hour. I am hypothyroid and have never needed to go low on calories to maintain my weight or lose weight and I am significantly hypo. Get a second opinion, from someone trained in nutrition, as imo, anyone who advises a diet that low in calories knows nothing about nutrition and you would be doing yourself a disservice to follow that advice.
  • cristaine
    cristaine Posts: 87
    First off: get a second opinion AND see a nutritionist/dietitian. Use your gut to decide between what they are saying.

    I have had hyperthyroid and am now low thyroid (not medicated as it would likely trigger me far the other way,apparently....) but anyway my point is this: they MAY be right (or not! that is awfully low...).

    Second: TRACK RELIGIOUSLY HERE. After a few months of tracking your intake, exercise and weight change, you will be able to figure out your true metabolic rate. Your BMR won't take into consideration those thyroid issues, so work with the numbers YOU can have for yourself through proper tracking. I personally am GAINING weight on 1700-1800 calories so I am lowering my calories. I know that I will eventually have to give up more calories or burn way more (it's a tough choice lol) but at least I am basing it on my bodies REAL trends and not just someone else's opinions.

    Whatever you do, do it under a competent doctor's notice so they know what you are up to. And get more than one opinion (and even source of opinion) when in doubt. Educating yourself never goes wrong =) Best wishes.
  • BethKMMA
    BethKMMA Posts: 14 Member
    I am a primary care doctor, and have followed research on weight loss for over 10 years due, in part, to my own struggles with weight.

    As a rule, 800 calories a day is too little for most people. There are medically supervised diets that have only 800 calories, but also include monitoring of lab tests, etc. In addition, if you lose weight too quickly, you put yourself at risk for various medical conditions, such as gall stones.

    I have never recommended 800 cal diet for any of my patients.
  • cloud2011
    cloud2011 Posts: 898 Member
    I think the recommendation to walk every day is a good one, although to start with an hour probably isn't that realistic unless you're already in the habit.

    But 800 calories? I would find another doctor.
  • chapparra27
    chapparra27 Posts: 115 Member
    I recently had a not-so-pleasant experience with a doctor who I saw because I'm having some symptoms that seem thyroid related. Turns out I'm in the low end of normal for thyroid activity - so borderline hypothyroid. I'm 43, short and have gained weight after having 3 children. I probably need to lose about 30 pounds. The doctor told me that I need to be walking for an hour a day and consume no more than 800 calories! I know this was NOT a misunderstanding since he told me verbally and also wrote it down. I knew right when he said it, that seemed like a ridiculously low calorie count and now the more I read, the more it's shocking that a Dr. would recommend it to a patient. Has anyone else ever heard of such a low cal diet? I tried it at first to see how that would feel & was shaky & weak. No surpise. MFP says I should be at 1200 (as seems to be the case for many) but I am usually at 1400 since that's how I feel best, especially when exercising & my BMR is just over that. I'm only at the beginning of this journey & havent seen the scale move yet but would love to have some insight from those who are more experienced with such a lifestyle change. That recommendation from him made me question anything else he's told me.
    This is close to the recommended amount for someone who has had gastric bypass! Absolutley not healthy!! Especially if you are working out!! WOW!!! YOU SHOULD NEVER EAT BELOW YOUR BMR!!
    Please go to the group tab and search for the EMTWL..eat more to weigh less...group! Has worked wonders for so many of us!
  • JessieTangerine
    JessieTangerine Posts: 91 Member
    My 2 cents. See a registered dietician. This is not because I think 800 cals is to low, it may or it may not be (the BMR calculations you find on the internet are for an "average" person not someone with your unique circumstances. But 800 is presumably a great cutback from what you have been eating in the past. An RD will be able to help create meal plans that give you the nutrients you need and hopefully help you over the mental obstacles that come with learning how to eat on a restricted diet. Like others have said it has been done, may not be right for you, but an RD will know better than others.

    In the meantime. Eat loads of veggies. They are high in nutrients and low in calories. Self Nutrition ( http://nutritiondata.self.com/ ) is has a nutritional database that shows you the relationship between a foods fullness factor and its nutritional value. Foods in the upper right corner will help you feel full, not lethargic or shaky.
  • mariamarchita
    mariamarchita Posts: 131
    I would talk to your doctor about all your concerns - tell him how you feel crappy on such a low calorie diet, about your concerns that 800 cals is too low, etc. If he's dismissive or not helpful, I would get a 2nd opinion. Just my $.02
  • BabsPerl
    BabsPerl Posts: 18 Member
    I agree. Get a second opinion and see a nutritionist!!!! I am under the care of a nutritionist who has seen my food log (I printed it out for her from here). Even though I struggle to get past 800, she says I am healthy looking and my logs show I am eating healthy foods. I struggle for medical reasons...not anorexia. I must eat like a gastric by pass patient on a low fiber diet is all. I got the go ahead from my GI doctor to continue eating like this (as long as a nutritionist is following me). I have lost 7 lbs eating like this and now am considered to be underweight (that was not my goal) but I am not losing anymore now. A nutritionist is the way to go!
  • morenikeiheme
    morenikeiheme Posts: 1
    I'm about to go on an 800calorie diet,im scared,but really excited to try it out. If your body dsnt like what its going through, stop. Thats what I'd do.
  • Thenameseriika
    Thenameseriika Posts: 8
    just so you guys know, the whole "under 1200 calories your body is thrown into starvation mode" thing is completebull
    the actual MINIMUM CALORIE INTAKE IS 800 calories, its just enough calories for your body to work with, with no harmful side effect or halt in weight loss. it's anything UNDER that that does no good, so you're just as well off eating 30 calories as you are eating 600. there is literally no difference to your body. so 'starvation' is literally pointless, and does more harm than good.
    the trick is to use those calories wisely, make sure you're getting proper nutrients rather than just wasting them on empty calories which is what most people do anyway. the difference between an 800 calorie diet and a 1200? that extra 400 calories is complete fluff.
  • Thesoundofwolf
    Thesoundofwolf Posts: 378 Member
    My roommate does 800 calories, and has to meet like 80grams of protein aday since her gastric bypass.
  • SunshineT83
    SunshineT83 Posts: 158 Member
    If you're not confident in your doctors recommendation then I would get a second opinion.

    ^^^^THIS^^^^
  • janesmith1
    janesmith1 Posts: 1,511 Member
    Please get a 2nd opinion.

    True story, my great Aunt was told by her DOCTOR several decades ago to douche with LYSOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Apparently it was SOP for doctors to do that once upon a tiime!

    https://www.google.com/search?q=douche+with+lysol&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:unofficial&client=firefox-nightly

    Additionally, my grandmother was given SPEED for diet pills back in the day too! Mein gott!

    There's all kinds of dr horror stories out there, like how my grandmother died, or my friend's gm died after an operation, etc.

    Please see an RD if you have thyroid issues or if you can't afford one google THYROID DIET PLANS for advice. And please see another physician, don't tell #2 that you saw #1 either because they will tend to agree with each other.

    Good luck.

    Here's the direct google results for THYROID DIET PLANS
    https://www.google.com/search?q=thyroid+diet&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:unofficial&client=firefox-nightly
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    If you're not confident in your doctors recommendation then I would get a second opinion.

    This - but from another Doctor - not the internet.

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