Can't eat over 1000 calories

That doesn't sound like a healthy amount to be eating every day.
Try adding in some more calorie dense foods so you get more cals for the same amount of food.
Some examples: avocado, olive oil (in salad dressing, drizzles over roast veggies etc), cheese, full fat yoghurt, red meat, bananas, sweet potato, rice, pasta etc.

Yeah I never feel starved, usually satisfied but I always get scared that my body will eventually start to store fat and so on. And thank you for the tip!!

You know what, I have the same problem some times. I'm studying for the bar and when the process began I just couldn't get myself to eat, 'cos I was too stressed out. Shakes... shakes were the answer. Don't worry, though, your healthy appetite will come back eventually. I know it's worrisome to think that you're starving, but the body understands that you will have highs and lows, just do what comes naturally and if you just don't feel like eating, then don't. No need to force your body to do something it doesn't want to. But try getting some good shakes in or even meal replacements. (I'm actually thinking of stocking up on ensure, myself, for the actual exam, cos I know I won't be able to stomach food for those 3 days, but need to keep my brain sharp.)

but yeah, give it time, girl. I'm sure in a week or 2 your body will be asking for food again.

hope this helped

I have the same problem! I just barely got over 1000 today!

I felt like that due to a structural problem, food allergies, and a natural taste for healthy foods, and I ended up with full-on anorexia. Be careful! When I ate about 900 cals a day I was always comfortably full, but it wasn't healthy. Now I eat 2300+ per day, feel more hunger than I ever used to, and weigh only a tiny bit more! It's crazy actually.

But honestly, when hunger goes away to that extent, it means your metabolism is already starting to shut down a little bit. And it will just get worse.

THIS! ABSOLUTELY THIS.

I used to have the same problem - and then I started adding low-fat sauces to things, finding calorie-dense foods, or sometimes just allowing myself a 2nd serving.

My advice you need counseling. This isn't a healthy lifestyle and no doctor is going to recommend you eating this few of calories and anyone that is a "friend" isn't really a friend if they at telling you it's perfectly fine to eat that few or not to eat any food and just drink shakes! That's bull**** and you're heading down a road of anorexia and you'll have a much harder time recovering from that than of you, heaven forbid, gain 5 pounds and start to look healthy. Ask any guy and they will agree, a girl with a little meat on her bones is more attractive that seeing skin and bones. You'll look healthier with a few pounds on you.

And before I get reamed, this is my opinion, take it or leave it but all these young girls eating less than their body needs to survive are headed down a dangerous path, no different than someone who is at the other extreme eating too much. And I've been there and lessons learned. If you are truly that worried, see a nutritionist, and ask their advice.

It's awfully rude to outright accuse her of having an eating disorder and needing counseling. She mentioned food allergies. My friend has celiacs disease and her intestines are so screwed up (was diagnosed late) that it takes MUCH more food for her to gain the nutrition that she needs. She almost needs to eat twice what a normal person would eat just to survive. And yet, she's 4'10" and 85 pounds. She tries to eat calorie dense foods to make up for her deficiencies but her body is just not cooperating. Not to mention that if she eats too much, she gets sick anyways. She's always going to be tiny, and she's always going to have to work hard to shovel food down her throat just to survive. It sucks; someone may look at her and think she could have an eating disorder, but she certainly does not. She wants to eat normally, but her health prevents that.

And even if the OP had mentioned she feels she has an emotional problem with eating food, you don't need to start off with YOU NEED COUNSELING. What an insolent way to treat someone.

Not a good idea to have that few of calories. try adding some cheeses or something dense.

I'm not doing it on purpose, it's just that no matter what I eat, it's just not enough calories. It's even more harder since I have to portion every single meal.

Any one else out there that have the same problem?
Help much appreciated. :flowerforyou:

Trying adding some shakes or drinks like the Bolthouse products

I've had a few different bolthouse products and some of them are quite tasty. I prefer the mocha cappuccino it is high in calorie compared to others but its also got protein it.

I think it's a bit common. We got overweight by ignoring the amounts and our body signals. So we try to reverse things which causes us to over-correct. We focus on the amounts and the satiety to the point where we can't eat much. It's a balancing act and a skill that takes learning.

1000 calories/day is not going to hurt you, if you have fat to lose. If you find yourself consistently under 800, it might be time to think about a spoonful or two of p.b. or something. Not much portioning needed there.

That is how it is for me, too. I listen to my body and some days or even weeks it's 1000ish then some days or weeks it's almost double. But it averages out to an ok deficit in the end. I'd much rather listen to my body than force myself to eat on days I don't want to and starve on days I do want to.

don't worry sweetie, i find myself less hungry when the days are hot too.

Try switching to full-fat everything. Salad dressing, milk, yogurt, cheese, etc. Add some healthy oils when you're cooking. Eat avocados. Maybe try eating a bit larger portions to fill in that calorie gap, too.

Maybe every now and then treat yourself to some desserts to add some calories and just to enjoy yourself! You can even make healthy versions if you're concerned about too many empty calories. Healthy cookie dough dip comes to mind. You might be able to find something to replace the nut butter in the recipe. http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/05/23/want-to-eat-an-entire-bowl-of-cookie-dough/

Excerpt from Prevention Magazine.


The following metabolism-boosting food rules were developed by Dan Benardot, PhD, RD, an associate professor of nutrition and kinesiology at Georgia State University, and Tammy Lakatos, RD.

Learn how to adjust your eating plan and keep your fat-burning furnace ignited all day long.
You don't eat enough
You need to cut calories to lose weight, but it's important not to overdo it. Going too low delivers a double whammy to your metabolism. When you eat less than you need for basic biological function (about 1,200 calories for most women), your body throws the brakes on your metabolism. It also begins to break down precious, calorie-burning muscle tissue for energy, says Benardot.
"Eat just enough so you're not hungry — a  150-calorie snack midmorning and midafternoon between three meals (about 430 calories each) will keep your metabolism humming."
By eating a meal every 3 to 4 hours, you'll stay satisfied and keep from overeating later in the day.

This is very close to what I am doing now with MFP. The snacks (high protein) in the morning and afternoon are awesome and I am never "starving" before the next meal. AND I love your passion flowers on you ticker!