Too few calories? Is there a such thing?

empressjasmin
empressjasmin Posts: 170 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Recently, I've been trying a plant based diet which has finally gotten my weight loss off to a good start. Other diets did not work. Just wondering if there is a such thing as too few calories? I've heard that if you do not have enough calories, your body may start storing those foods that you do eat as fat. I am allowed between 1500-1700 calories daily, but on plant based, I have normally only been getting no more than 850 calories a day. I am also exercising burning some calories too.

Replies

  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    Yes, it's called starvation. Your body, if it doesn't get enough nutrients, over time will begin to cannibalize itself by using muscle tissue, including the heart, for fuel.

    That being said, you won't keel over from a few days or even a few weeks of lower calories, however, there is a good chance you'll lose lean body mass at a higher rate than if you were netting 1200. The other issue is all the macronutrients (vitamins and minerals) you're missing.

    Someone said on here, and I fully believe them, the person who eats the most and loses weight wins.
  • johnnylakis
    johnnylakis Posts: 812 Member
    Great article on malnutrition. Says it all. https://www.wfp.org/hunger/malnutrition
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    Yes, it is called death. He who eats the most calories and still loses is the winner!
  • laura17192015
    laura17192015 Posts: 18 Member
    I had the same question. I had a pretty substantial oral surgery just over four weeks ago. I had been losing weight before that without counting calories. I just ate healthier foods and started exercising. Since my oral surgery, I started logging everything I eat in an effort to ensure that I'm getting the nutrients that my body needs. I am averaging 1000-1250 calories a day. Some days it is a challenge to eat 1000 calories. Eating isn't easy and I'm not feeling the least bit hungry for some unknown reason. I am definitely losing weight but I am never meeting my Iron needs and proteins are difficult as well. It's a challenge for sure. Healthy is the goal.
  • laurajeanholly
    laurajeanholly Posts: 12 Member
    My hair started falling out as a result of not enough calories. I was eating around 1200 a day.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    sounds like you need to do better at meal planning. i'm also primarily vegetarian (i eat seafood too) and trust me even on days that i don't have seafood i'm never at a loss for food to eat or calories to fill up my daily needs.

    quinoa, lentils and beans are good things to add in. as is healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, almonds, cashews (but f*** a peanut and that damn disgusting butter that comes out of it, i hate those things lol), walnuts.

    if you eat dairy then cheese, yogurt are also your friends, as is the very delicious egg.

  • HippySkoppy
    HippySkoppy Posts: 725 Member
    There are very serious consequences from eating too few calories over a prolonged time and the others have explained a lot of those really well above.

    I struggle often to get adequate calories in due to health issues and i have definitely experienced some of the negative consequences.

    Under eating IMO just sucks the life out you - literally. Tiredness, depressive episodes just crappy everything can be a part of the experience.

    So avoid it if you can. A day here and there is probably fine, eg: intermittent fasters do this all the time and there seems to be some positive health benefits from that style of eating but they should eat well when they do and not use it to create HUGE deficits.

    With you WOE try to find denser calorie food to fill the gaps: Avocado, nuts, beans, seeds etc whatever takes your fancy....stay away from low fat anythings and you should be right to fill in the calorie gaps.
  • xvolution
    xvolution Posts: 721 Member
    edited July 2016
    This is a personal opinion, but you really shouldn't go below your BMR for your goal weight. Going below it tends to wreak havoc on other things besides fat, like your muscles. Your BMR is the amount of calories your body burns at rest in one day, not counting exercise or normal daily activities.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    edited July 2016
    empressjasmin wrote: »
    Recently, I've been trying a plant based diet which has finally gotten my weight loss off to a good start. Other diets did not work. Just wondering if there is a such thing as too few calories? I've heard that if you do not have enough calories, your body may start storing those foods that you do eat as fat. I am allowed between 1500-1700 calories daily, but on plant based, I have normally only been getting no more than 850 calories a day. I am also exercising burning some calories too.

    It's bull (bold part)

    Plant based/vegan diet allows you to eat tofu, nuts, etc., not just plant food. If you are eating 800 calories a day, your weight will fall off pretty fast, and you will also muscle mass and become skinny-fat whether or not you are exercising.

    You need to plan accordingly and make sure you eat up to your calorie goals, and eat a portion of your cardio calories back.

  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    I always feel a little concerned about people who start things like "plant based" diets without full knowledge of what they are embarking on ..have you researched this, do you have meal plans and minimum protein and fat limits worked out

    When one restricts foods then one has to pay absolute attention to the calories and macro nutrients specifically proteins and fats one is consuming

    Even if you find it easy you need to make a concerted effort to eat sufficient calories, protein and fats in order to have adequate nutrition

    A few days at 850 calories isn't going to harm anyone

    Bare minimums in defecit, would be best to have a decent margin over

    Protein ..0.6g per pound bodyweight
    Fats ...0.35g per pound bodyweight
    Calories...minimum 1200, but depends on current height, weight, age and activity level ...very few people need just 1200 during dieting

    Aesthetic things at risk due to insufficient calories and nutrition: energy, skin, hair, nails, loss of musculature (toning)
    Medical risks: heart, kidneys, liver, bones, brain function and death


This discussion has been closed.

Categories