Eating less than 1200 calories?

carmel_whitworth
carmel_whitworth Posts: 3
in Food and Nutrition
I've been eating about 460, will that slow down my metabolism?

And what about a raw vegan diet, will that help?

Replies

  • BVannillie
    BVannillie Posts: 140
    If you want some info take your pick out of the hundreds of other threads on this exact topic. Some of them are still on the first page and very easy to see.
  • carmel_whitworth
    carmel_whitworth Posts: 3
    Oh. Sorry, I just joined a half hour ago. *facepalm* I should have looked first.
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    That is way too low. Only reason you should be on such a low intake is if its doctor supervised but, even then, I don't believe many would prescribe that severe a deficit. Dieting naturally slows down your metabolism - its your body's survival mechanism to allow one to function using less energy and still live - but I believe going far below what your body actually needs slows down the rate even further (especially if maintained chronically).

    What are your current stats and what do you expect (hope) to get to in terms of body fat percentage and weight loss?
  • wheezybreezy
    wheezybreezy Posts: 313 Member
    Short answer: Umm.. YES. 460 is way too low.

    I don't know what you mean by "help" but my suggestion would be to stick with a diet that you can maintain for life. If raw vegan is it, then go for it!
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    460 is pretty low, a decent amount of protein would take up nearly all of that.

    I doubt a raw vegan diet will give you the full range of nutrition at 1000 calories a day, but I may be wrong. 50g of protein and 20g of fats / oils are probably a bare minimum but as your diary is closed we can't see what you're eating.
  • sabusby
    sabusby Posts: 78 Member
    It will most definitely mess up your metabolism--no doubt about it.

    Registered Dietitians, members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics would NEVER advise under 1,200. You're starving your body now and if you ever stop, the weight will come back ferociously. And it will be harder than ever to lose.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Yes, you should be netting .... around 1200 calories (NET). This means you add exercise calories back and eat those too (or most of them). Some very petite women can get by with less .... but 1200 is safe.

    The 1200 calories in question are needed for basic bodily function ..... heart, lungs, kidneys. Go below the minimum consistently .... and your weight loss will stall out.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Way too low - aren't you hungry? Tired? Eat such a low amount of calories for any length of time and your metabolism will adjust to match your intake. Low metabolism isn't what you want!

    Excellent information here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
  • krystina_letitia9
    krystina_letitia9 Posts: 697 Member
    Hmmm... I've eaten more than half of your calories today just in peanut butter! To start with, stick with the guidelines MFP sets for you until you learn a little bit more. Maybe a consultation with a dietitian would benefit you as well. 460 calories/day is hardly sustainable.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    460 is dangerously low and yes it can totally F up your metabolism. weight loss does not mean you have to starve yourself. the most successful way to lose weight is change your lifestyle, eat healthy, eat sensibly, stay within the calorie goal that MFP sets for you and get some exercise.
  • evaker
    evaker Posts: 3
    I agree with others anything below 800 I think is dangerous. I am doing PureSlim1000 which is 800-1000 calories with their drops and feel fantastic, but I found on some days if I don't get all 800 calories in I am not feeling well and have trouble sleeping. I think you might do more harm than good to your body by straving yourself. Plus your hormones will get totally out of whack!
  • LilacDreamer
    LilacDreamer Posts: 1,364 Member
    Are you on HCG? Just wondering since HCG is a 500 calorie "diet" (if you want to ruin your body)

    Other than that I can not fathom why anyone would consume 460 calories...unless you're anorexic.

    Either way, EAT. Please.
  • sommerskins
    sommerskins Posts: 57
    1200 is basically what you need just to sustain. I found that the more I ate, the more I would lose. Eating such low calories, could actually put you into starvation mode and you could actually end up gaining. This also could make it harder for you in the future to lose weight. I started at 1200 and slowly increased in increments of 50 and now I am up to 1400. Good luck!!
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    Why are you not eating the number MFP gave you?
  • jaybird951
    jaybird951 Posts: 53 Member
    you will die very soon if you stick with that kind of diet and calorie intake...hopefully your brain overrules your demons and tells you to start eating again...you may gain more weight in the long run by eating too little now..speaking from experience..
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    Are you on HCG? Just wondering since HCG is a 500 calorie "diet" (if you want to ruin your body)

    Other than that I can not fathom why anyone would consume 460 calories...unless you're anorexic.

    Either way, EAT. Please.

    How does HCG ruin your body?
  • fitnesskid96
    fitnesskid96 Posts: 4
    Well, basically, eating that low is just unhealthy, and your going to lose ALOT of Fat, AND Muscle just so u know. I highly reccomend getting out of this habbit, and eating your maitenance weight, because i was like you and im a guy, i ate about 500calories a day and after a bout 4 months i looked like a holocaust victim. I was even MORE unpleased with myself, but now ive bulked up and i look & feel so much more healthier, PLEASE take my advice!
  • sleonardbranson
    sleonardbranson Posts: 161
    That is way to low....is there a certain reason you are eating only 460? Just seems very dangerous...
  • rainunrefined
    rainunrefined Posts: 850 Member
    I smell a troll.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    unless you're directly being monitored by a doctor - sorry i dont know how else to word this - why the hell would you want to do this?!

    that's a rhetorical question by the way, i'm sure you're a lovely person and all but i just ate a 800 calorie breakfast, plan on eating another 1000 before the end of the day and i'm still losing weight, but hey if others want to starve themselves into sickness, then do you. :blushing:
  • mermx
    mermx Posts: 976
    I smell a troll.
    [/quote

    with you :-)
  • cdngirl71
    cdngirl71 Posts: 2,641 Member
    I smell a troll.

    Me too!!
  • WaterBunnie
    WaterBunnie Posts: 1,371 Member
    I've been eating about 460, will that slow down my metabolism?

    And what about a raw vegan diet, will that help?


    Slowing down your metabolism is only the start of your problems with that plan. Over time you'd most likely suffer from malnutrition, your periods might stop and you may find yourself losing your hair etc as your body struggles to sustain your most essential body functions such as breathing and digestion. I don't think you really want problems like that just to lose weight a bit quicker do you? This site is all about doing things the healthy way - not a guide to eating disorders.
  • LilacDreamer
    LilacDreamer Posts: 1,364 Member
    Are you on HCG? Just wondering since HCG is a 500 calorie "diet" (if you want to ruin your body)

    Other than that I can not fathom why anyone would consume 460 calories...unless you're anorexic.

    Either way, EAT. Please.

    How does HCG ruin your body?

    How doesn't it? Hey if you want to get on the pregnant lady urine train, be my guest - but don't expect to have a fully functioning metabolism when you're done.
  • GnochhiGnomes
    GnochhiGnomes Posts: 348 Member
    I've been eating about 460, will that slow down my metabolism?

    And what about a raw vegan diet, will that help?

    It'll start having an effect if you do it for a month or so. You'll dramatically lose weight, but you'll look ill and sick all the time. I've eaten under 1000 today but that's only because I couldn't stomach much for breakfast.
  • ricky_j_b
    ricky_j_b Posts: 64 Member
    I have been eating 400-500 cal per day for 9 weeks,under medical supervision.Where you get those cals from is key,in order to stay in ketosis,blood test and vitamins are also key elements.If you are burning fat,which I am,you will get 2 to 3000 per day,may vary.

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