800 Calorie Diet Recommended by Doctor

msmed
msmed Posts: 7
in Food and Nutrition
I recently had a not-so-pleasant experience with a doctor who I saw because I'm having some symptoms that seem thyroid related. Turns out I'm in the low end of normal for thyroid activity - so borderline hypothyroid. I'm 43, short and have gained weight after having 3 children. I probably need to lose about 30 pounds. The doctor told me that I need to be walking for an hour a day and consume no more than 800 calories! I know this was NOT a misunderstanding since he told me verbally and also wrote it down. I knew right when he said it, that seemed like a ridiculously low calorie count and now the more I read, the more it's shocking that a Dr. would recommend it to a patient. Has anyone else ever heard of such a low cal diet? I tried it at first to see how that would feel & was shaky & weak. No surpise. MFP says I should be at 1200 (as seems to be the case for many) but I am usually at 1400 since that's how I feel best, especially when exercising & my BMR is just over that. I'm only at the beginning of this journey & havent seen the scale move yet but would love to have some insight from those who are more experienced with such a lifestyle change. That recommendation from him made me question anything else he's told me.
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Replies

  • steamlita
    steamlita Posts: 39 Member
    800 is perfectly fine-- trust your Doctor and make sure you spend those calories on healthy choices so you get your nutrition for the day. Your body stores fat to use to supplement times when you don't consume the amount your body needs to function. Eating at 1200 works for some people when they need to eat 1800 because it creates a deficit. That's how fat is burned.

    MFP isn't accounting for your thyroid, that's why it's higher. Trust your Dr, not arguments on the internet.
  • bunnylvr
    bunnylvr Posts: 78
    If you're not confident in your doctors recommendation then I would get a second opinion.
  • NikkiLS28
    NikkiLS28 Posts: 43
    I did a medically-supervised weight loss program through a specialist a few years ago (didn't stick with it - unrealistic and too expensive) and the lowest they would let us go was 1200. They really hammered this into us that going lower would NOT help us in the long run.

    See if he'll refer you to a dietician if you want some advice from an actual professional :)
  • Sondras09
    Sondras09 Posts: 30 Member
    Drs are knowledgeable, but not in nutrition. You, especially bc of the thyroid issues, should go see a Registered Dietitian. Someone whos actual degree is in Health and nutrition.
  • amylyork
    amylyork Posts: 11 Member
    My doctor told me I could go as low as 700 Calories/day.
  • samf36
    samf36 Posts: 369 Member
    I agree with this. Dr's unless they are a degree in nutrition have no idea what they are talking about. You need to see a RD and a thyroid Specialist.
  • deadstarsunburn
    deadstarsunburn Posts: 1,337 Member
    Drs are knowledgeable, but not in nutrition. You, especially bc of the thyroid issues, should go see a Registered Dietitian. Someone whos actual degree is in Health and nutrition.

    I agree. A dietitian is going to be the most help to you.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,409 Member
    Is he recommending a supplement to make sure you are getting the proper nutrition?

    You would be wise to get the opinion of a Dietician who is well-trained in these situations. Maybe there is some reason he suggested that, but it seems odd.

    How much weight are you trying to lose? *edit.....30 pounds...NM.
  • sunnyflower1177
    sunnyflower1177 Posts: 212
    i would get a second opinion.....
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    There are also doctors who put women on feeding tube diets for when they wanna crash diet quickly.

    Point is, not all doctors are smart. Not all doctors are right. I would see another. I've never gone lower than 1200 and had to raise that as i lost to keep losing.
  • fitbum19
    fitbum19 Posts: 198 Member
    I am no expert, but I would say that if you are under his supervision and only walking, it's no biggie. I have done it before
  • becoming_a_new_me
    becoming_a_new_me Posts: 1,860 Member
    Drs are knowledgeable, but not in nutrition. You, especially bc of the thyroid issues, should go see a Registered Dietitian. Someone whos actual degree is in Health and nutrition.

    ^^ This...doctors take a single one semester class on nutrition. I completely respect my doctor, because he will flat out say that he has no clue about nutrition and sends me to a dietician if I have questions
  • fitbum19
    fitbum19 Posts: 198 Member
    Drs are knowledgeable, but not in nutrition. You, especially bc of the thyroid issues, should go see a Registered Dietitian. Someone whos actual degree is in Health and nutrition.

    this is very very true. doctors have almost no education in nurtrition. BUT I would try it. just not for a long period of time.
  • mlc825
    mlc825 Posts: 10
    I had a friend who suffered from a slow thyroid. She was literally gaining weight on a weekly basis and beyond frustrated. After she was correctly diagnosed, she went on Weight Watchers and ended up loosing a lot of the weight she had gained. Another option you might want to consider is looking into the Eating Clean "Diet" or way of eating. After loosing weight by starving myself, I finally came to the conclusion I was doing my body more harm then good. I bought the Eating Clean books and I've lost 20lbs of fat, gained muscle and feel better than ever.
    You need to first determine do you just want to loose the weight or do you want to change and transform your body and your way of eating and approaching food.
  • Chrissy_Michelle
    Chrissy_Michelle Posts: 176 Member
    If you're not confident in your doctors recommendation then I would get a second opinion.

    I second that...800 calories is too low in my opinion. I would ask a registered dietician..
  • WaterBunnie
    WaterBunnie Posts: 1,371 Member
    Whether it's advisable or not you're not going to be very happy on that few calories. With an hour walking taking them down even further in real terms you do have to wonder...
  • glittersoul
    glittersoul Posts: 666 Member
    I would get a second opinion and see what the other doctor/dietitian tells you.
  • monroe61
    monroe61 Posts: 620 Member
    I have a 7 day meal plan from a nutritionist and some days are as low as 700 calories...I felt fine on it besides starving the first few days to get used to such a little amount. I lost 30lbs doing it a few years ago.

    I've lost 29lbs on MFP just by the recommendations from here but I'm starting up the previous diet again to try and break my plateau. Best of luck to you!
  • logicman69
    logicman69 Posts: 1,034 Member
    i would get a second opinion.....

    This!!!
  • KrystleKiri
    KrystleKiri Posts: 135
    If you're not confident in your doctors recommendation then I would get a second opinion.

    exactly. I've heard of this, it isn't crazy. if you're not comfortable at the level he's put you at, get a second opinion, but chances are he's not being a crack pot jerk that's talking out of his *kitten*. he probably DOES know what he's talking about, it just may not be perfect for you specifically.
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    If you're not confident in your doctors recommendation then I would get a second opinion.

    Since none of us has access to your medical files and history, we can neither confirm nor dispute your doctor's advice. As the above poster said, if you are uncomfortable with it, seek a second opinion. You might also want to express your concern and ask your doctor to refer you to a registered dietician.
  • emnk5308
    emnk5308 Posts: 736
    If I dr is telling you is.. it might be okay. Go get a 2nd opinion from another Dr.
  • nicholettebell
    nicholettebell Posts: 414
    Drs are knowledgeable, but not in nutrition. You, especially bc of the thyroid issues, should go see a Registered Dietitian. Someone whos actual degree is in Health and nutrition.

    This! I had talked to my doctor about wanting to lose weight but I knew that my doctor probably wasn't the best person to take advice from especially when it didn't seem that she really knew what she was talking about when it came to nutrition. I had asked for a referral to see a Registered Dietitian who was very upfront with me in telling me that she really specializes for those with diabetes. But she gave me a lot of information that I still use to this day. I'd call it successful. Oh yeah and she told me to eat at or above 1200 calories and recommended that I lose weight slowly. (I really ought to send her a Thank You card.) :smile:
  • jacque1129
    jacque1129 Posts: 113 Member
    if you got your 800 calories from filling vegetables and fruits you could stay full all day long. but like everyone else said i'd would talk to a dietician.
  • BigDaddyBRC
    BigDaddyBRC Posts: 2,395 Member
    Get a second
  • christenwypy
    christenwypy Posts: 335 Member
    Wow, unless you are like 4 feet tall this does not seem right to me. This site will not put you any lower than 1200. Like I want to lose 2 lbs per week and to do so I need much less than 1200 but it keeps me at 1200 because anything else is considered dangerous. Maybe your doc knows what he is doing, I am not doctor. But I would personally do 1200 and an hour of exercise. Maybe you could do 30 minutes walking and another 30 higher intensity aerobics or something. I think anyone will lose weight on 1200 but maybe there is some medical reason due to your thyroid. You can always ask him.
  • kellyr730
    kellyr730 Posts: 44 Member
    I have an underactive thyroid also and the main thing that does is slow down every sysytem in your body, especially your metabolism - more so than "normal" people. I don't think 800 calories is too low and he probably knows what he's talking about because since your thyroid is making your metabolism so slow, you may not burn as many calories a day resting as MFP calculates. So if you are trying to lose weight, that may be what it takes to see a difference.

    However, I hope this is just temporary and he prescribed you a thyroid medication. I have been on it for about 5 years now and when I first started, it took a month or so but soon it was amazing how different and energetic I felt. After that medication kicks in and starts regulating your thyroid hormone, you should burn more and not have to be at 800. THAT IS JUST FROM MY EXPERIENCE THOUGH- I AM NOT A DOCTOR!! :) just to clarify ;-)
  • Flab2fitfi
    Flab2fitfi Posts: 1,349 Member
    I am no expert, but I would say that if you are under his supervision and only walking, it's no biggie. I have done it before


    A brisk walk can burn over 410 calories for someone weighing 170lbs. If you add that into the equation i would say that 800 is way to low.
  • sandown12
    sandown12 Posts: 648 Member
    Did he mention eating exercise calories?
    He said walk 1 hour a day so sounds like your inactive?

    I ate 1200 a day and I felt ill but had lots more to lose than you Id recommend eating your BMR calories and upping exercise as youve thyroid problems which my mum has you will lose slower if its under active,my mum did weightwatchers and walked wqith once a week dancing and lost 0.5-1lbs a week she lost 50lbs in a year x
  • AliciaNorris81
    AliciaNorris81 Posts: 185 Member
    I am currently under the care of my primary care physician, a dietitian, and my ob/gyn for my weight loss, diabetes and thyroid issues. I am also having some issues with my digestive system. All three of them have agreed for me to stay around 700 to 900 for now and not to go above 1400 and if I go above 1000 to exercise that day....as long at I am providing nutrition to my body.

    With that being said, I have not once felt weak or malnourished. I just HAVE to make sure I am eating nutrients that supply my body with what it needs. I also take vitamins. Are there days where I eat 1500 calories? Yep...few and far between, but they are there.

    I think it is important to speak with a dietitian. They can help you customize a plan for YOU. If it were just my doctors saying it, I would have believed them but not fully. My dietitian is trained, educated and specializes in this stuff.

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