A question about caloric intake

Hidanas
Hidanas Posts: 22 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I'm getting used to logging everything I eat to account for wide variety of things, mostly caloric intake. I've noticed that (at least in the two days I've started logging) I'm under my caloric intake by close 800-1000 calories. Just wondering if that is a bad thing? Will that hurt my weight loss goals? Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Replies

  • michael300891
    michael300891 Posts: 275
    Your diet is excessively low in total energy intake, protein intake and dietary fat.

    No it wont hinder your fat loss, but your diet as a whole will result in substantial loss of lean mass, as well as body weight, and possibly issues such as feeling tired in the day etc. In addition, there's a good chance at that level you will lose motivation.

    You should be aiming to maintain a calorie deficit of around 500kcal equivalent to 1lb of body fat a week, but playing this for the long-game.

    At the very least add another 50-60g+ of protein into your diet to prevent you losing substantial muscle mass.
  • LRunda
    LRunda Posts: 59 Member
    From what I have read you should never go under 1200 calories per day. MFP takes in to account your current weight and height and then averages out how many calories you need in order to reach your weight loss goal per week. As you get smaller, your calorie need per week goes down. My guess is that as long as you're not under 1200 calories, you'll probably be fine.

    ETA... I just viewed your food diary. I think you need to focus on the quality and not necessarily the quantity. If you're just beginning I recommend just tracking what you're eating to find out how much you're actually taking in on an average day. then start making modifications in what you eat that are more nutritious and filling. Also, don't forget that exercise "earns" you more calories. Basically, don't starve yourself.
  • Hidanas
    Hidanas Posts: 22 Member
    Thank you for the advice. Since I've just started tracking I'll give it a week and make changes accordingly. I know part of the problem is I don't always take the time to make a decent meal. That's just one more thing I need to work on.
  • draco706
    draco706 Posts: 174 Member
    if you are that low a few easy ways to stay healthy and boost caloric and protein and healthy fat intake are 1) dip those veggies (celery, carrots, radish etc) in Hummus. 2) put some nut butter on an apple for a snack. 3) get a food scale, you might be surprised. 4) steaming veggies and tossing them in a little olive oil can help boost healthy fats and calories. 5) a small treat like a piece of dark chocolate is a fun and healthy way of getting antioxidants and calories.
  • Hidanas
    Hidanas Posts: 22 Member
    You had me at chocolate. Any way I can rationalize eating chocolate is a plus. I am definitely going to eat more fruits and veggies.

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