800 calories?

I don't know you, your weight, or your height but doubt that eating 800 calories is healthy for you. On the other hand, you may very well be eating a lot more than you realize.

Do you weigh your food?

I typically eat 800 cals for dinner! you've got your body used to having so little! You could really do with slowly increasing your cals til you get to at least 1200, ideally 1400 or more! It's hard to say how many cals when I don't know your stats etc.

I'm 5ft 2/ 45 yrs/ active and maintain on 2200 cals.

Yeah, barring serious and unusual medical conditions, you're eating a lot more than you think. I'm pushin' thirty at 5'7 and about 2000 is my maintenance when I'm at goal weight. At 18, I could eat a lot more. Not that that's BAD. You definitely should be eating enough to give your body what it needs, and 800 calories isn't gonna do it.

yes, 800 calories will cause problems.
Not providing enough protein, fiber, calcium, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals for your body to absorb & utilize.

without enough, you'll start aging in your 20s, and will look alot older, ie wrinkles, sagging skin, dull hair, and take a toll on your body.

btw ~ don't be scared of the word "phytochemicals".
"phyto" means plant in greek.
It's the 'good stuff' in fruits/veges!! ... antioxidants, stimulate enzymes, anit-bacterial, anti-inflammatory.

http://www.phytochemicals.info/

.

My guess is you're eating more than you think.

sheenadel wrote: »

I'm gonna be the total opposite here...I just did the hcg diet where you are limited to 500 calories a day...I had lots of energy...and ate a lot of food. It really depends on what your eating. During my diet I was stuffed after 500 calories a day and most days stuffed that last apple down just to make sure I ate 500. After 42 days I upped to 1000 for 2 weeks then again to 1200...im now at 1300 and I force myself to eat.
So I think its totally possible you are only eating 800 calories a day..but as mentioned above what are your stats...
I'm 5'6 123 lbs and eating 1300 calories a day.
I eat all types of food though no restrictions at all.
I'd be worried about your menses if you ever want children.

blah blah HCG diet cya

You need at least 600 calories for your muscular system, and another 600 calories for your brain/nervous system to maintain. If you eat less than that, your body will eat its muscle and/or fat for the deficit in calories. You are probably a skinny-fat (no muscle). Talk to your doctor.

If you are trying to up your calories but are not hungry all day you should probably eat higher calorie foods and or start drinking juices. Maybe have some snacks you think are healthy throughout the day. I don't know what kind of food you view as healthy, but a lot of people on the site mention what type of food they think is healthy and have open diaries. Maybe finding people with similar food taste as you and taking something from their diaries can help you up those calories in a tasty way. Good luck.

saffihaysh384 wrote: »

Thank you for all the help. I will certainly try and up my calorie intake. I just find it hard sometimes maintaining a healthy diet and having the calories to go along with it. I really just eat when I'm hungry. As people are asking, I am 5'7 and 119lbs. (Please keep the comments nice )

If you open your diary people could see what you are eating and make suggestions.

Don't forget to add that your muscles atrophy (basically turn to mush) if you don't eat enough. My mother passed at 66 basically because she didn't eat enough and smoked on top of it. When they put her in the hospital w/emphysema she weighed 89 lbs and had zero (I did say zero) cholesterol in her body--all from not eating enough. It may not affect you now, but it will down the road. If you feel you have trouble eating enough, gradually increase what you are eating and it won't feel so overwhelming. I found out I wasn't eating enough (around 1050 - 1115 calories) and gradually worked my way a little over 1200 (and lost 8 lbs in the process). Right now I'm starting on maintenance which means increasing my calorie intake even more (around 1400 calories)--it won't happen over night. p.s. I'm over 60, work out w/weights and do abt 15 - 20 min cardio three times a week.

LolaKarwowski wrote: »

Do you weigh your food?

On a digital scale as well as level cups and spoons

Right now I am on a Medical Weight Loss Program and I drink 2 protein shakes, eat 1 protein bar; and then I can have pretty much what I want to up to 960 calories difference. All shakes and bars/chips are 160 calories a piece. I have not had any problem keeping below that; only mess up when my husband cooks on weekends; then I will go over; but, not by much and I am rarely hungry either. Weight loss to lower my cholesterol and maybe also to help other things I take medications for.

RunRutheeRun wrote: »

DKLI wrote: »

Stuffed on 500 calories.

For breakfast right??? At least I hope that's what you mean cos otherwise that's just wrong

I was quoting one of the posters above. I could never feel stuffed on 500 cals