Is it alright if I don't reach my calorie goal during the day?

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ErikaJaneC
ErikaJaneC Posts: 10 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've noticed recently since I starting taking a new prescription drug I don't get hungry quite as often as I used to and I get fuller quicker, my only concern is that this keeps me from reaching my calorie goal (1240), each day I am usually under by 200-300 calories which I know is dangerous. I also have a hard time losing weight since I hit my plateau, I was just wondering if eating under my calorie goal each day is having an adverse effect on my weight loss? Because I have only been able to lose half a pound in the last month and it is starting to get really frustrating. Does anyone have any tips?

Replies

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    edited March 2016
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    On weight loss, no. On health, yes. You could easily become malnourished eating that little which isn't good. Have you tried adding in some higher calorie things to help you reach your calorie goal (peanut butter for example)?

    Also, are you using a food scale to weigh all solid foods and only using measuring cups for liquids? (for the slow weight loss)
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
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    Add some peanut butter or full fat dairy
  • bogwoppt1
    bogwoppt1 Posts: 159 Member
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    If you are really only eating 900 calories a day you would be losing weight.

    Do you weigh, on a food scale, the food you eat? Do you you log all drinks?

    900 calories a day is not enough for you to live on.
  • TuesdayMarch01st2016
    TuesdayMarch01st2016 Posts: 56 Member
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    No matter your plateau, you have to consume the minimum for health. Try eating at maintenance for a couple of weeks (taking a diet break) & then restart & every 4 weeks, recalculate your calorie goals by your current weight because as you lose weight, you'll need less food but your body might need breaks from eating at a deficit, as well.
  • ErikaJaneC
    ErikaJaneC Posts: 10 Member
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    I don't have a food scale currently, I've been thinking about buying one though. I do log all my food and drinks. I feel like my metabolism has seriously slowed down in the last couple of months, and obviously under eating is not going to help that.

    I will try giving dieting a rest, maybe if I don't think about it , maybe it will sort itself out and then Ill give it another go :)
  • bogwoppt1
    bogwoppt1 Posts: 159 Member
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    Do you have much weight to lose?
  • ErikaJaneC
    ErikaJaneC Posts: 10 Member
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    No I only have 20lbs to lose, but I know my body likes to stay around 140-145 which is the weight I am now
  • Isabelle_1929
    Isabelle_1929 Posts: 233 Member
    edited March 2016
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    ErikaJaneC wrote: »
    I've noticed recently since I starting taking a new prescription drug I don't get hungry quite as often as I used to and I get fuller quicker, my only concern is that this keeps me from reaching my calorie goal (1240), each day I am usually under by 200-300 calories which I know is dangerous. I also have a hard time losing weight since I hit my plateau, I was just wondering if eating under my calorie goal each day is having an adverse effect on my weight loss? Because I have only been able to lose half a pound in the last month and it is starting to get really frustrating. Does anyone have any tips?

    Talk to the doctor who prescribed the drug, first, to make sure that your loss of appetite is caused by the medication, and not by something else. And/or talk to a pharmacist - they are usually the best experts when it comes to effects of drugs (It sounds obvious but we tend to forget this). Maybe it's an unwanted side effect, so that's why you should inform your treating health specialists. At any rate they should be able to give you advice or reassure you on the number of calories you should be eating while on that medication.

    Don't take any advice from the internet. Except the excellent one above. :-P

    Take care.
  • TK6299
    TK6299 Posts: 502 Member
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    Isabelle_1929 wrote: »
    ErikaJaneC wrote: »
    I've noticed recently since I starting taking a new prescription drug I don't get hungry quite as often as I used to and I get fuller quicker, my only concern is that this keeps me from reaching my calorie goal (1240), each day I am usually under by 200-300 calories which I know is dangerous. I also have a hard time losing weight since I hit my plateau, I was just wondering if eating under my calorie goal each day is having an adverse effect on my weight loss? Because I have only been able to lose half a pound in the last month and it is starting to get really frustrating. Does anyone have any tips?

    Talk to the doctor who prescribed the drug, first, to make sure that your loss of appetite is caused by the medication, and not by something else. And/or talk to a pharmacist - they are usually the best experts when it comes to effects of drugs (It sounds obvious but we tend to forget this). Maybe it's an unwanted side effect, so that's why you should inform your treating health specialists. At any rate they should be able to give you advice or reassure you on the number of calories you should be eating while on that medication.

    Don't take any advice from the internet. Except the excellent one above. :-P

    Take care.

    YES!
  • KateTii
    KateTii Posts: 886 Member
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    ErikaJaneC wrote: »
    I don't have a food scale currently, I've been thinking about buying one though. I do log all my food and drinks. I feel like my metabolism has seriously slowed down in the last couple of months, and obviously under eating is not going to help that.

    I will try giving dieting a rest, maybe if I don't think about it , maybe it will sort itself out and then Ill give it another go :)

    If you aren't weighing your food, than chances are you are eating much more than expected. When you estimate your intake, your only way to know if that estimation is correct is stepping on the scale. If scale isn't moving, it's telling you that your estimate is wrong.

    Step 1. Check with the doctor that your symptoms with the medication are OK
    Step 2. Get a food scale, accurately measure your calorie intake and work from there
    Step 3. Once you know how much you're eating and there is still problems, go back to the doctor

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