900 Calories too low??

merrys73
merrys73 Posts: 21 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I was thinking of really slashing the calories for a couple weeks. Good idea or not?

Replies

  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    The body needs at least 1200 calories just to function (Heart, lungs...). You can actually damage your metabolism. Not a good idea.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    I was thinking of really slashing the calories for a couple weeks. Good idea or not?

    Honestly speaking, you should consult with your PCP or specialist who knows more about your health than MFP (a non-medical site).

    We have patients at my line of work that are medically advised on 900 at the very bare minimum for post surgical status or eating disorder reasons....

    Do the right thing, consult with your physician
  • marticapitt
    marticapitt Posts: 27 Member
    Don't do it unless under doctor's care. I'm doing 600 but I have supplements and injections and I am seen every week. Your body will go into starvation mode and you won't lose. Increase your calorie burn instead!
  • mmstgr
    mmstgr Posts: 578 Member
    Talk to your doctor before doing anything drastic.
    Everyone is different, so I don't ever think in terms of specific caloric amounts.
    But if you would like to stay healthy, the doc is the way to go :)
  • watboy
    watboy Posts: 380 Member
    900 seems very low and I think after a few weeks you might just binge cus it's such a low amount. That being said some people have done this and have had success and just adjusted calories up every few weeks or at the end of the week. I'm not suggesting you try that but it has worked for some. The advise of most so far to see a Dr. for supervision is solid.
  • watboy
    watboy Posts: 380 Member
    Bonk!
  • momma2teacher
    momma2teacher Posts: 43 Member
    I drastically cut my calories about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I was at a plateau, not losing, but gaining. I went to the doctor to get all my numbers checked (thyroid, bmr, etc) I also went to a nutritionist. I dropped to an average of 900 calories. I never go below 800 and some days I go to 1200. I drink lots of water, smoothies, etc. I eat a lot of protein, cut down on the fruits. I was stuck at 150 for 2 months. I dropped down and I am at 147 as of this morning. I don't feel hungry or bloated when i was eating 1500 calories. Not everyone is the same. Not everyone can eat 1500 calories and lose weight. I was/am not one of those people.
  • treetop57
    treetop57 Posts: 1,578 Member
    900 Calories too low??

    Assuming you are not on medical supervision, yes, 900 calories is too low. This has been another edition of simple answers to simple questions.
  • wahmx3
    wahmx3 Posts: 633 Member
    I don't understand why you would want to starve your body, so yes, unless a doctor says this is right, I wouldn't do it. And quite honestly, the doc would have to have a very valid reason for suggesting such a low number for more than a day or two. Most doctors know very little about nutrition and how it affects our body.
  • AlyRoseNYC
    AlyRoseNYC Posts: 1,075 Member
    *I* would be miserable eating only 900 calories everyday. Why not just add in an extra half hour of exercise per day? Depending on what you do, it could equal 300 calories. Not trying to preach at you, just a thought.
  • tinam76
    tinam76 Posts: 59 Member
    where can i find good food that has the clories i need i dont eat alot during the day night dinner is may main meal looking for good foods to spread the calories out in the am i have yogurt noon smoothie dinner is usually big i tend to barely eat so i don't overeat i am drinking water all day
  • sleepytexan
    sleepytexan Posts: 3,138 Member
    funny_animated_gif_92.gif
  • momma2teacher
    momma2teacher Posts: 43 Member
    there is no reason to be mean. She was asking a question. No need to beat her up about it.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    there is no reason to be mean. She was asking a question. No need to beat her up about it.

    Your accusation has no merit.. no one was being mean at all
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    I don't understand why you would want to starve your body, so yes, unless a doctor says this is right, I wouldn't do it. And quite honestly, the doc would have to have a very valid reason for suggesting such a low number for more than a day or two. Most doctors know very little about nutrition and how it affects our body.
    ...but if she is currently taking medications, currently receiving therapies, etc... her little food input can have a drastic result... its always good to start with your PCP.. then if it requires a Registered Dietician, the PCP will direct the OP
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    bad idea. Why would you do that. If you want to increase your metabolism you need to eat more, not less.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Don't do it unless under doctor's care. I'm doing 600 but I have supplements and injections and I am seen every week. Your body will go into starvation mode and you won't lose. Increase your calorie burn instead!

    If your are talking about HCG, your body will shed almost as much lean mass as fat while on this diet. Very bad idea.
  • MJ7910
    MJ7910 Posts: 1,280 Member
    yes it is. it is below your BMR so not a good idea. the BMR and TDEE are two very important things to know. you want to make sure you eat in between these two numbers. you can google these things and there are many good calculators for them. never go below BMR because that is what your body needs to function before exercise and daily activity (meaning BMR is what you would need if you were lying in bed all day).
  • nursenessa1
    nursenessa1 Posts: 182 Member
    According to statistics and research it is not advisable. It's your body though. Do what ya want. I dare say it won't kill you. You wil just waste muscle. Your body will feed off of muscle. And when you pick it up again you will be very binge prone.

    I wouldn't. I would eat smaller more often.
  • LindaCWy
    LindaCWy Posts: 463 Member
    See your doctor. This question is way too common.
  • cressievargo
    cressievargo Posts: 392 Member
    bad idea. Why would you do that. If you want to increase your metabolism you need to eat more, not less.

    This.
    my 2 yr old eats more than that and he's tiny.
  • reneegee23
    reneegee23 Posts: 232 Member
    Please don't cut your net calories under 1200. Your body needs a MIN of 1200 net calories. You risk harming yourself and lowering your metabolism, which will only make your weight loss efforts more difficult.

    Net 1200 a day and I promise you, you will lose. (Net, though. So if you burn 300 calories working out, you should eat 1500 that day.)
  • ccmccoy09
    ccmccoy09 Posts: 284 Member
    So, this is just my experience but maybe one out of four or six weeks, I'll "cycle" my calories, dropping down to 900 cal for 2 out of 7 days (non-consecutive) and then up to around 1900 net calories. At the end of the week though, I'm at 9000-9500 total, putting my average 1300-1350 per day. Bonus is I can plan my high calorie days for days when I know I'm likely to eat more (weddings, parties, etc).

    I started cycling on my trainer's recommendation, after my doctor reviewed my cycle schedule and said it was OK. I personally can't go 2 consecutive days on 900 calories (I get too tired). I would definitely NOT try it, or starting anything drastic really, without a doctor's OK.

    For reference, my TDEE is around 1630 right now.
  • Scott
    Scott Posts: 204 MFP Staff
    This topic has been locked because it violates the MyFitnessPal guidelines. MyFitnessPal does not recommend anything below 1200 daily calories. The guideline in questions state:
    3. No Promotion of Unsafe Weight-Loss Techniques or Eating Disorders

    a) Posts intended to promote potentially unsafe or controversial weight loss products or procedures, including non-medically prescribed supplements or MLM products will be removed without warning.
    b) No pro-anorexia or pro-bulimia posts, groups, profile names, or profile bylines. Photos intended to promote or glamorize extreme thinness are also not permitted.

    Thank you for your understanding.
This discussion has been closed.

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