How to go to 1200 calories

A lot of research has shown that starvation mode is a myth. As long as you are eating when you are hungry, and eating HEALTHY things, you are fine.

Starvation mode is a myth.

Loss of muscle and bone density and malnutrition associated with very low calorie diets is not a myth.

A lot of research has shown that starvation mode is a myth. As long as you are eating when you are hungry, and eating HEALTHY things, you are fine.

Starvation mode may be a myth (as it's commonly used here, anyway) but there's very little chance that someone is getting adequate amounts of protein, fat, fiber, as well as all of the vitamins and minerals their bodies need at 800 calories a day.

One day here and there below your calories is fine. But making a habit of it can lead to unpleasant results.

You don't have to eat more, but you can eat smarter. Olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, full fat diary, cheese, ice cream, Greek yogurt, sour cream, nuts and nut butter, seeds, protein shakes and smoothies, fruit juices, dark chocolate, less lean choices of meat, full calorie sauces and dressings, etc. There are a ton of ways to increase your calories at each meal by a few hundred without adding lots of extra food to your diet.

While starvation mode might not really be a thing in the western world, that doesn't mean that you are operating at peak effciency if you are under the 1200. I have found what helps, is to eat often, and make sure snacks and meals balance carbs. protein, and fat. This helps keep your metabolism working consistantly.

If you are having trouble reaching your calories (I have found this happens if I eat a ton of veggies or high fiber items), try adding in peanut butter or milk. For example, dip your apple slices in some peanut butter, adds protein, fat, and calories

Meal timing and frequency has no impact on metabolism, total calories do.

As long as you get your minimum fat, and protein that you should have based on activity level and your deficit isn't too large (250-1000 cals/day) depending on how much you have to lose, you will be fine.

Peanut butter, ice cream, pasta, nuts, beans, oil to cook, butter to cook.

It's easy to reach 1200, to be honest. All those things up there ^ are high calorie and can easily be fit into any diet.

If you're struggling to reach 1200, I'm going to guess you're eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, and lean meats or something. Which is healthy, of course. But only so if you make sure your body is getting the nutrients that it needs to run. So, go ahead, indulge in a little bit of butter.. it will only clog your arteries in excess.

Those are good ideas.. I just don't want to make myself get sick by "eating too much"

You asked for suggestions and they are good ones. What do you want people to tell you? That is how you get to 1200 calories, eating more calorie dense food at the same volume that satiates you. BOOM.

These threads are annoying because if you took the time to use the "search" function, you'd find a billion of them.

Ice cream, peanut butter, olive oil, butter, alcohol.........

Peanut butter, ice cream, pasta, nuts, beans, oil to cook, butter to cook.

It's easy to reach 1200, to be honest. All those things up there ^ are high calorie and can easily be fit into any diet.

If you're struggling to reach 1200, I'm going to guess you're eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, and lean meats or something. Which is healthy, of course. But only so if you make sure your body is getting the nutrients that it needs to run. So, go ahead, indulge in a little bit of butter.. it will only clog your arteries in excess.

Those are good ideas.. I just don't want to make myself get sick by "eating too much"

You asked for suggestions and they are good ones. What do you want people to tell you? That is how you get to 1200 calories, eating more calorie dense food at the same volume that satiates you. BOOM.

Truth is a hard pill, my friend.

MFP isn't about trying to eat the fewest possible number of calories. It's about learning to eat at a healthy level for your body - not too much and not too little.

So you do need to eat all of your base calories and at least half of your exercise calories. Here are some ideas for adding healthy calories:

Chicken with the skin
Steak
Cheese
Whole eggs (including deviled eggs, egg salad)
Full fat dairy (including cottage cheese, yogurt)
Fruit
Peanut butter or other nut butters
Nuts
Avocado
Dried fruit (raisins, apricots, apples)
Dark chocolate
Salmon
Add Chia seeds to salads or yogurt
Olive oil
Smoothies
Granola/sports nutrition bars
Whole grains or whole grain products (like brown rice, Quinoa, oatmeal)
Beans and legumes

A lot of research has shown that starvation mode is a myth. As long as you are eating when you are hungry, and eating HEALTHY things, you are fine.

Starvation mode by be a myth....but saying

As long as you are eating when you are hungry, and eating HEALTHY things, you are fine.

Is like saying a 400 mile per tank car will go 1600 miles if you put higher octane in.


EDIT: Why is a 20yr old F trying to hit 1200 calories? Am I the only one that thinks it's pretty low?

I know what you mean about sometimes not being able to reach 1200 calories. There are some days (not all though) out of the week that I feel full at 800-900 calories. Those calories are from eating a ton of fruits and veggies (since they are calorie dense foods). Also, I seem to not be as hungry during the summer heat.