always WAY under calorie goal.. help?

jeninabilan · October 2011

Hey guys!

So I am always 800-900 calories under my calorie goal for the day but feel like I am eating plenty and am not starving myself in any way. I generally have 1 or 2 protein shakes a day (with water, not milk), A salad loaded with chicken, LOTS of veggies and sometimes hard boiled egg, Some baked fish or other protein with plenty of vegetables. I am trying to eat a low carb diet, so am staying in the 40-60 grams range per day. I drink lots of water, and not much of anything else other than plain coffee with cream (and of course my protein shakes). I snack on fruits and veggies w/ hummus often. I do work out every day, but I am literally NEVER hungry. So.. is lacking that many calories really bad for me even though I am constantly eating and not starving myself? Hmmm... Thanks for the tips!

Jenina

DannyMussels · October 2011

Sounds like you're getting half of what your intake should be.

How bout something high-calorie but nutritious?

Nuts? Add some peanutbutter to a shake. Or use milk instead.

Your intake seems super-low. That can't be good.

arosmith79 · October 2011

I agree with kiwi, try some PB in your protein shakes. If you want to, set your food diary to viewable by friends and we can take a look at it and see if there is anything else we can tweak for you

bluegirl10 · October 2011

Sounds like you're getting half of what your intake should be.

How bout something high-calorie but nutritious?

Nuts? Add some peanutbutter to a shake. Or use milk instead.

Your intake seems super-low. That can't be good.

This... I agree using milk and peanut butter or almond butter to your shakes will help!

bregalad5 · October 2011

I had an under eating problem for a bit. It's definitely not good, and it's hard to break when you're not hungry.

Maybe try making your shakes with milk instead of water? That'll give you some good nutrients (especially potassium) as well as upping your calorie intake.

The idea of eating some nuts is good as well. Do you like yogurt? You could add that, too.

jeninabilan · October 2011

Thanks guys! I just added peanut butter into my lunch shake! I was trying to stay away from fats too, so I was cutting out a lot which in turn was cutting my calories way low no matter how much I ate, but I did a little bit of research about "good fats" so I think I'm on the right track now.

bregalad5 · October 2011

Good to hear

If you like smoothies, you could add some yogurt in with your fruit, maybe with some fruit juice.

Ebbykins · October 2011

Thanks guys! I just added peanut butter into my lunch shake! I was trying to stay away from fats too, so I was cutting out a lot which in turn was cutting my calories way low no matter how much I ate, but I did a little bit of research about "good fats" so I think I'm on the right track now.

Indeedily, when you are doing low carb you need to increase your good fats so they can be used as your primary energy source (aside from stored body fat) and to make up for the calories your omitting from the change in carb intake. It also helps with keeping your brain chemistry healthy too because low carb/low fat combined too strictly can cause depression, irritability, hormone imbalances etc.

Ervie317 · October 2011

I would suggest though that you get the natural peanut butter that you keep in the fridge because it has no oils, just peanuts!! That is if you haven't already.

ignatiusreilly · October 2011

If you want meaningful responses to a question like this, you should make your food diary public.

trelm249 · October 2011

Throw avocado and olives in that salad with the chicken.

On the protein shakes. The peanut butter is a great idea. So is using almond milk instead of water.

ATT949 · October 2011

Your diary is not open to the public so we can't tell what your net cals are.

I wouldn't go below 800 net calories per day. I did a low calorie diet (800 to 1000 net) and had a superb weight loss experience.

My GF runs a Lindora clinic here in SoCal and their patients (they've had a few hundred thousand of them!) are on a diet of 800 to 1000 cals. They do have a diet of 700 cals but it's rarely used because most people respond so well to the 800 to 1k cals/day diet.

jeninabilan · October 2011

Thanks guys! I'm not sure how to make my food diary public? I got closer to my calorie goal today by adding the peanut butter and snacking on some peanuts, so that's good!

Thanks for all of the advice and support!

anniecnuci · October 2011

hi! i have the same problem, only i am not hungry and eat a little. i eat 500-550 calories a day when i have to eat over 2000. i am loosing pounds. i do zumba and eat sugar free, fat free, low carbs and no diet drinks just water. maybe i'm doing somthing wrong. hope the best for you.:flowerforyou:

Pebble321 · October 2011

Thanks guys! I just added peanut butter into my lunch shake! I was trying to stay away from fats too, so I was cutting out a lot which in turn was cutting my calories way low no matter how much I ate, but I did a little bit of research about "good fats" so I think I'm on the right track now.

Sounds good - remember that humans are omnivores we do very well eating a wide range of foods and cutting out two macronutrient groups (carbs and fat) only leaves you one (protein). Sure you need protein, but I doubt that you are going to get all the nutrition your body needs from this alone.
I think it's also important to start looking to the long term - cutting out a whole range of foods is fine for a short time but not very easy for most people to sustain in the long term. I think its' the same thing with eating very low calorie.
While you are counting cals and focusing on food, it's a great time to get into good habits that you will be able to keep on with once you are at your goal weight and maintiaining.
Good luck!

always WAY under calorie goal.. help?

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