Eating less calories than recommended

bjane782015
bjane782015 Posts: 2 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Yesterday I had only eaten 800 calories all day because of work. I was excited because I was 500 calories under my goal for the day. I tried to complete my daily entry but MFP gave me a warning that I needed to eat at least 1000 calories or they would not give my 5 week projection, or log my daily entry. So I did eat 200 more calories. I really didn't want to, and felt frustrated about it. Do you think it is a big deal every once in awhile to eat under a thousand calories? I was actually proud of myself that I ate so few.

Replies

  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited November 2015
    Once in a while if you are sick or it's just a weird day, no. Also okay as part of a sensible IF plan (which includes eating at maintenance on other days). But I think it's a concern that you were feeling proud of yourself for eating so low -- it's not something to strive for or to think is an ideal. Your goal is a goal, but merely a cap, and is related to what's actually a sensible, sustainable, and healthy diet.
  • siluridae
    siluridae Posts: 188 Member
    There are many nutrients the body can't produce on its own, even if it takes its energy from fat deposits. So you need to eat those nutrients in adequate amounts even in a calorie deficit. You'll get sick otherwise.
  • bjane782015
    bjane782015 Posts: 2 Member
    I guess I wasn't really proud. Maybe I used the wrong word. I was a little excited thinking maybe I would lose a little extra and be more ahead of my goal. Then I went to log everything and got the warning so it made me wonder if I should always try to hit the goal or not. It was rare that I was only at 800 anyway. That usually does not happen and I'm almost always at or near my goal. I am only on my second week and so far so good.
  • starwhisperer6
    starwhisperer6 Posts: 402 Member
    Some people do intermediate fasting where they eat no calories or 500 one day and 2000 the next or whatever their goal is. If you are not constantly eating under it isn't a big deal. if your goal is to eat as little as possible for fast weight loss than yes that is dangerous.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    1200 (before exercise) is MFP's lowest default minimum. Unless you are an older lady, or very petite...1200 is already a pretty aggressive deficit.

    Being "ahead" of your goal doesn't always work out the way you expect it too. Your body needs nutrients everyday. When your deficit is larger, it makes it hard for your body to support existing lean muscle mass. Fast weight loss often sacrifices more lean muscle than many people are comfortable with.
  • melonaulait
    melonaulait Posts: 769 Member
    If you go over your calories one day, you can eat a little bit fewer calories the next day to balance it out. Or you could eat fewer calories some days of the week, and then eat more on weekends. Less than 1000cal is not too bad, if you remember to eat more on other days. :)

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