800 Calorie Diet Recommended by Doctor

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  • merylwyn
    merylwyn Posts: 17 Member
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    All doctors do have some background in nutrition. It is very important in pretty much every patient's lifestyle. I will say, if you feel like that's wrong, just go to a dietitian. But I wouldn't automatically say that the doctor is wrong.
  • zellagrrl
    zellagrrl Posts: 439
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    A family member went on a physican directed diet (chiropractor) within the last year that included HCG and 800 calories/day with no exercise needed. She lost 120 in about 9 months. . . . but she also lost all of her hair and is now having to wear a wig. She looks like somebody on chemo. My hair dresser said she sees that over and over again. People who lose weight too quickly, lose their hair as well. My physician has me on a 1300-1400 calorie diet and I've lost 70 lbs in 12 months - I wish I could say I'd lost 120 lbs, but am satisfied with my program.

    My physician (MD) reports that bariatric physicians (and the Bariatric Association of Physicians or whatever it is called) say 800 calories is a starvation diet and statistics show dieters are not making LIFE STYLE CHANGES so once they are able to increase their calories they begin gain weight. Case in point: my family member has gained about 20 lbs and is now back on 800 to control her weight. They have now decided she's allergic to carbs and that's what caused the gain. Give me a break!

    She may be insulin resistant and therefore, carbs cause her weight issues. I'm not allergic to wheat, but I avoid it (and all grains) as they exacerbate a medical condition. I avoid carbs due to PCOS.

    That said, I would trust an MD vs. a DC regarding diet.
  • kellyr730
    kellyr730 Posts: 44 Member
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    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 ;-)

    thank you for your insight on this. you describe it a bit easier and that it is possible. thankfully i've never had to deal with something like that. hopefully it is only short term for people to be on that kind of diet.
    But one question- do you take all your nutrition through supplements? i can't see you getting even close to half the nutrition you actually need with such a low cal intake !
    just curious

    No - I eat a normal diet. I just take levothyroxine which regulates your thyroid hormone and speeds it up. ive never had a special diet but as sluggish as I was I wouldn't be surprised if my metabolism would have only allowed me to burn 800 resting.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
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    He is an endocrinologist who loves to put people on the HCG diet.

    That should answer your question right there. Any doctor who pushes an illegal product that is now banned by the FDA is a Quack.
  • msmed
    msmed Posts: 7
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    Let's see..doctor with your specific information and condition in mind, with 12 years of education and training, plus whatever more years of experience since then...or all the strangers on the Internet with their degree in Google.

    Yea, I'd ignore my doctor too.

    ^^ ----YUP!

    I really hope that nobody blindly follows what a doctor says without doing your own research, including asking others what their experience has been. Of course there are still people who think that what an MD says is practically the gospel. How dare we question them! Even doctors disagree on issues and come to the table with different experiences. If my husband and I had done what doctors told us to do (and not do) for our son regarding a medical issue, he would still be very ill. We did our own research and followed our instincts and thank God we did! We have to be our own health advocates - and our children's.
  • msmed
    msmed Posts: 7
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    Yes, he is a doctor who specializes in thyroid/endocrine system issues. He doesn't know me except what I have told him. I think it's important for us to listen to our bodies and my body tells me that it can't function on 800 calories a day! I will listen to it.

    Does your body tell you that you can't function on 800/day or your mind? Have you tried it? I'm all for listening to your body above all else. But sometimes we're listening to our heads (and our internets). You paid for his advice. Why not just try it? Despite the outrage here, it's really not that wild. He must want to see how you react physically, or he wants you to lose the weight quickly for some reason. We don't know as much as he does about you and we're not doctors. Good luck!

    I did try it and it left me shaky and weak with no energy. Even closer to 1000 calories a day, I was feeling the same. That's why I upped it - I have to have the energy to exercise and keep up with 3 children.
  • adry20
    adry20 Posts: 82 Member
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    Conventional DR's do not know how to get to the root of problems, they only know how to put temporary band aids on them. If you are truly wanting to get healthy, I will say it again, look for a holistic nutritionist. They will help you find the core of your problem and help you improve your overall health the right way. Most of our health issues can be traced back to what we eat and what we are exposed to through the environment. Even if you eat 1200 calories per day, if you don't eat the right foods your health will not necessarily improve.
  • adry20
    adry20 Posts: 82 Member
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    Sorry I didn't mean to sound rude :tongue:
  • isys5
    isys5 Posts: 213
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    I have a low functioning thryoid as well but eating 800 calories per day seems crazy to me :( Check out http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/753-hypothyroidism-and-hyperthyroidism for some great tips on what to eat/not to eat for thyroid and also lifestyle changes that really work. I eat around 1700 (started at 1200 and was exhausted all the time so kept uping in 100 cal/day increments until I felt ok).
  • Meganosborn1988
    Meganosborn1988 Posts: 24 Member
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    try meeting somewhere in the middle. Maybe if you try and eat about 1,000 cals. a day and see how that goes!
  • cheesy_blasters
    cheesy_blasters Posts: 283 Member
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    Conventional DR's do not know how to get to the root of problems, they only know how to put temporary band aids on them. If you are truly wanting to get healthy, I will say it again, look for a holistic nutritionist. They will help you find the core of your problem and help you improve your overall health the right way. Most of our health issues can be traced back to what we eat and what we are exposed to through the environment. Even if you eat 1200 calories per day, if you don't eat the right foods your health will not necessarily improve.

    I had amazing results with a holistic nutritionist and ND combo. Changed my life. I can't recommend that option enough now. I had terrible experiences with my MD so I'm always leery but I think good doctors (no matter their background) can be open to collaborating with other specialists. Don't be afraid to get other opinions if you need reassurance.
  • BandedTriaRN
    BandedTriaRN Posts: 303
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    I do less than that but only because I am really determined, have so many health issues both genetic and obesity related, and I don't seem to lose weight any other way. I'm not hungry most of the time. I tried to do more calories for a while but I just started gaining and stalled in my weight loss. I'm getting my thyroid checked by an endocrinologist in July (earliest we can get an appointment and hope this one doesn't cancel like the two others we have tried to see).

    The women's plan on medifast is 800-1000 calories a day. If you feel you need another opinion, why don't you see a certified or registered nutritionist or go to Weight Watchers or something? I really doubt, without the lap band, that I could stick on such a low calorie diet for longer than 6 months without a LOT of help.

    Good luck to you regardless of what you choose!
    PS: I would look at actual scientific (University and NIH.gov) research over anything written on here. Even if people say they are this or that online, you never really know.
  • diabolotry
    diabolotry Posts: 14 Member
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    I also have a low functioning thyroid and this is exactly what my doctor recommended for me. Maybe because I have a lot more weight to lose, but my doctor gave me a very specific diet to follow that decreased my calories over time. I have other health problems that we discovered while I was cutting calories and exercising (apparently I'm prone to fainting; overheating, working out and under eating increase my risk) so I only made it to 1200 calories/day before we had to stop. I've since been cutting back again and have been doing much better.

    One thing I have noticed is my energy levels while cutting calories actually increased. I felt less sluggish, wasn't as fatigued. I did lose weight during that time period (about 15lbs total) that I kept off. WHAT you eat makes a big difference, too.
  • nanatrudy
    nanatrudy Posts: 1
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    As part of my medical insurance, because mine an my husband's BMI was ovwe 30, we were required to go into a weight management program for lower premiums. We were invited to attend a program through the university here. I have hypothyroidism and A1C was 6.5 (diabetic but no medicene yet)....started the program March 1st and had weekly visits with Dr. for first month, nutritionist too, then once a month with nutritionist. We used HMR shakes and veggies....calories were 800 for three months, then you go into a diet. The goal is for you to lose 15% of your body weight in the first three months QUICK so you will see a success and then can go into a 1200 calorie diet. The program committment was two years. So far, I have lost 60 pounds and feel great, and am ready to move up to 1000-1200 calories. My bloodwork has come back and everything is great......so I say go for it.
  • Prudiddy
    Prudiddy Posts: 262 Member
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    My doctor told me I could go as low as 700 Calories/day.

    So did mine, I do it all the time now and I feel just fine and I work out. If you think 800 is too low check out how much food you can get out of my diary today. So far almost to 600 and I will probably add on a night snack depending on how I feel. I think it is a matter of learning what foods fill you up and give you the feeling of satiety. I have been working on this food thing and I have just about found a 800-900 calorie diet that makes me feel stuffed throughout the day. Just take a look at my diary, I have learned how to work it! The numbers that is they are only numbers and I end up with all the nutrients I need. I'm really hooked now. No stopping me. Good luck.
  • MotivatedMom2012
    MotivatedMom2012 Posts: 44
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    800 calories is RIDICULOUS and it is NOT perfectly fine. REMEMBER - some Doctors BARELY passed their tests and others passed with flying colours. Some truly care, some don't. Listen to your instinct and always get a second opinion if something doesn't feel quite right.

    Eating 800 calories a day and walking for 1 hour means your body will not be getting the adequate energy it NEEDS and you will be exhausted. You can even put your body into starvation mode where you won't burn ANY calories because it's trying to survive.

    Use this link to calculate BMR http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/

    Then use this link to see how many calories you need to eat to maintain your current weight. Then you can subtract 500 calories. So that is how many calories to eat per day.

    http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/harris-benedict-equation/

    If you need help please feel free to message me, I love numbers :)
  • suziecue66
    suziecue66 Posts: 1,312 Member
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    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.

    This!! Easy for doctor to say go away and eat 800 calories - but what you need is a proper diet plan as above so you are getting the most nutrients possible out of the 800 calories. So a referall to a dietician is needed to give you detailed diet. Also, love them or hate them, meal replacement shakes can provide lots of nutritients for minimal calories.
  • saraann4
    saraann4 Posts: 1,312 Member
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    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 ;-)

    thank you for your insight on this. you describe it a bit easier and that it is possible. thankfully i've never had to deal with something like that. hopefully it is only short term for people to be on that kind of diet.
    But one question- do you take all your nutrition through supplements? i can't see you getting even close to half the nutrition you actually need with such a low cal intake !
    just curious

    No - I eat a normal diet. I just take levothyroxine which regulates your thyroid hormone and speeds it up. ive never had a special diet but as sluggish as I was I wouldn't be surprised if my metabolism would have only allowed me to burn 800 resting.

    I have to put my little opinion in this only because I also have an underactive thryoid which I was also taking levothyroxine. Currently off of it and let me tell you...feeling the the aftermath (tired ALL the time) My doctor never gave me a specific calorie diet to follow except to eat healthy (more fruits, veggies, don't add salt, add fish like tuna) I personally think 800 calories is too low. I know I am not the greatest example because I am satisifed on 900 calories a day. I'm currently inbetween doctors right now. I think you as a human being with or w/out having an underactive thyroid has to realize 800 calories isn't realistic for the long run. I know it's not. If I were you, I'd get a second opinion. 800 calories a day isn't realistic for the long run. Yeah, sure it's great for the short term because you lose weight. I'm constantly trying to find ways to up my calories in a healthy way. Hope this helps =x
  • saraann4
    saraann4 Posts: 1,312 Member
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    Also, add in working out and I'm totally in the negative. Do I feel fine? Absolutely? Do I try to eat more? Yes!
  • josyjozy
    josyjozy Posts: 117 Member
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    Also agreeing to ask for a referral to see a dietitian and/or get a second opinion.

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