Is 800 calories a day too few?

Question

I started dieting recently and usually can't put enough health food in my mouth to exceed 1000 cals... I usually eat like 800.... its because fruit and vaggies are SO low cal, and health bars are like 100 and even lean meat is only like 60 per serving, yougurt is like 60 gah!! So is 800 too few? I don't FEEL hungry so i figured its alright, but my friend says im STARVING my body...how can you do that if you're not hungry?

Just so you all know. I'm not LIMITING myself to this amount. I dont do it on purpose... its when I look back on the day I count how much I ate and its lower than I expect. Thanks to everyone offering helpful advice!

Answer 1

you're just fine. As long as you don't go under a healthy weight for your height. You aren't starving your body. I work out six days a week and I eat about 800 calories a day because I eat something small every hour. A cup of yogurt, an apple, some carrot sticks, a sandwich, some crackers, a granola bar, you name it. I've been maintaining the same weight for three years now. I would be a skeleton if this diet was starving my body. Just make sure you're getting all your vitamins and minerals and you don't fall below a healthy weight.

Answer 2

Your body needs a daily minimum of calories just to run properly (your brain and other organs need to be fed this minimum). You find it by multiplying your body weight in pounds by 10. Then add 500 calories for minimal phyisical activities (walking, talking, working...), and then add another 300 per hour of exercise you do. This total is the least you should be eating. Anything below that is putting you at risk of getting sick, or telling your body to go into starvation mode, which basically means you won't lose weight anymore because every morsel of food you eat is going to be "squeezed" out of every last nutrient, and as soon as you start eating normal again you'll put the weight back and some more.
The best approach when losing weight is, first, finding the minimum suitable calorie intake for you. Eat on a 40% protein, 40% carbs and 20% fat ratio proportion. Don't eat what your body doesn't need (extra fat like butter, fried foods, refined flours, added sugar), and do at least 30 minutes of exercise (the type that raises your heartbeat) for 4-5 days a week.

Answer 3

yes it's too few especially if you exercise. I had the same problem last year. i wasen't "dieting" as in to lose weight i was "dieting" to go healthy. I was getting really tired and actually feeling worse after 4 weeks of it than i was before so i started counting calories and i ended up with like 600-900 a day. SO, bascially you really need to add more calories. bananas are a good source, peanut butter is because it has good fats, avocado, boca meats (fake meat), i think you may be limiting your carbs, try adding a slice of bread or two. you'll find ways to add more calories, just don't add too many! haha good luck!

Answer 4

Your friend is totally correct. Even if you are in need to lose pounds, 800 calories a day is an insane and ridiculous amount to limit yourself to. I don't care if you have to find some junk food to get back to AT LEAST 1500 calories a day, do it! You will still lose weight, but not like an anorexic. You also might want to incorporate some form of exercise.

Answer 5

Yeah, just add in some protein shakes because that's not even half of what you need. Then make sure you have some meat or something because that will help. Eating only fruits and veggies, lean meat, yogurt? You should get some real food or you will have problems with digesting and stuff if you ever want to eat normal, trust me.

Answer 6

yes is deffinately is.. that absolute minimum is 1000 calories a day, but you should have more. Only having 800 calories a day will waste you away, your body will become very fail and you will become exhausted all the time. Stick to a balanced healthy diet of about 1200-2000 calories a day.

Answer 7

normal daily intake should be between 1500 and 2000 cals a day. You are doing the right thing by eating right but you might want to eat at least 1000 to 1200 cals a day. Make sure you are taking a multi vit too!!!!!!!

Answer 8

2000 is the goal and 1200 is the absoute minimum. You should really aim for between these two. Try a handful of almonds which are really good for you and maybe bump your milk intake up to three glasses a day. Skim milk is low fat but still so good for you and won't be tooo filling.

Answer 9

that is just a myth of needing 2000 to survive and be healthy. but how they calculate is with the right amount of protein and calcium and other things to make you have a healthy body. its a thing for people who get overweight and they state that 2000 is your limit bc some are doing 4000+. eat fruits and vegies and some meat. cutting out potato chips and sodas will do wonders for a diet. i dont drink sodas, only water, juices, and gatorade. i lost ten pounds quick but i wasnt trying to lose weight just working out to get healthy. but you are doing great, but if you start feeling weak eat something nutritional. just dont eat only bean sprouts and thats it.

Answer 10

Yes, it is way too few. You should almost double that to get the amount of calories you require to function in a day. Drink a protein shake or something to bump those calories up.