Can you eat too few calories?

Question

I have recently changed my eating and exercise habits because I am going on holiday in 2 weeks. I have just calculated how many calories I have been consuming recently each day and it was only about 1000, but I don't feel hungry or tired. And I have been going to the gym 5 times a week burning between 300-500 calories each time. I know it is recommended that you shouldn't eat any less that 1200 calories per day, but is 1000 ok or will it actually make me put on weight because my metabolism isn't working as hard?

Thanks for the advice. I am eating healthily still, just don't know what else to eat that will bulk up the calories. Typically I am eating oats in the moring with skimmed milk, tuna salad for lunch, and lean meat, veg, and sweet potato/new potatoes in the evening. Plus I snack on ginger oat cakes and have a juice each day which consists of 2 apples, 2 carrots, lemon and ginger. I also have the odd square of chocolate as a treat. Can anyone suggest of how to bulk up my calories consumption?

Answer 1

I'm 5'9" and weigh 126 pounds this is what works for me

Eat regularly, if possible every three hours, when your body realises that it's getting a regular supply of food it increases it's metabolism, burning calories quicker and is much less likely to store calories as fat. When eating try to eat a lot of high protein foods and don't go too hard on the carbs. Try go easy on trans and saturated fats although you are allowed the odd treat. Drink lots of water! At least one gallon per day. Tea, coffee and fizzy drinks are O.K but they don' count towards your overall water intake. Vegetables are also very important they contain vital vitamins and antioxidants so include plenty of these in your diet.

As for exercise I do some light weight training four days a week and cardiovascular (I use a rowing machine) two days a week with one days rest. There is a common belief that doing cardiovascular exercise on an empty stomach helps burn calories. This is absolute rubbish do not do it. Weight training is a good idea as muscle tissue burns a lot of energy, even while you sleep. You don't have to become Mr/Mrs universe but any fat tissue which you can convert to muscle tissue will not only make you look better but increase your metabolism. Getting plenty of sleep is also important when trying to build muscle.

Good Luck

Answer 2

There is definately such a thing as having too few calories... I have seen the whole 1200 calorie minimum, but my trainer put me on a 1116 (calculated) calorie diet... I haven't been able to go lower than 1200...

Try throw 1-2 eggs into your daily meal or snack... Or try a yogurt or something... Adding another 100-200 calories shouldn't be too difficult... 1/4 cup of Bear Naked Granola in Peak Protein formula has 140 calories and is suggested as one of the top 100 foods for women by this months Women's Fitness Magazine...

Answer 3

Yes, you can definitely eat too few calories. Your body needs a certain amount every day just to keep your heart beating and your lungs pumping air. Add on any exercise you do, which means your muscles need energy, and the amount of calories actually NEEDED by the body goes up. If you don't take in enough, then the body has to find other sources for energy. It will burn off your fat deposits first, as these are excellent stores of energy. If you keep on training but taking in too few calories eventually your fat stores will run out. At this point you'll burn up muscle tissue for energy, causing muscle damage! To try to conserve energy, the body will shut down non-vital processes in your body, causing all sorts of damage to you.

Answer 4

I honestly believe- it's what we eat-Typically I used to eat 2 bananas and a yoghurt for breakfast and a glass of skimmed milk.

I'd have a tuna sandwich with proper butter and a side helping of mixed bean salad for lunch.

for supper i'd have chicken curry and spinach and potato bhaji and a plate of vegetables.

followed by strawberries and single cream

4 cups of tea and 2 glasses of fruit juice and a litre of water throughout the day.

I never felt hungry.

That was only about 1000- 1500 calories- if i sat on the computer all day i didn't lose weight- but if i went to the gym and did loads of walking i did.

People eat far too much rubbish- filling their arteries with cholesterol with processed foods. Pasties and cakes, crisps and biscuits- complte junk with no nutritional value.

It's not how much you eat - but what you eat and how much exercise you do.

Look at your height and weight and make sure you don't go under the recommended weight for your height or you will get health problems and don't go over it either.

A balance diet is important- eating a little from all the main food groups- vitamins & minerals, fats, proteins, carbohydrates and dairy and fibre.

People that over eat are often always hungry because they eat foods that give them an artificial high and do not eat foods that slowly release energy.

This can cause obesity or for them to starve themselves on a diet.

I believe what you are doing is ok, but perhaps 1,500 calories would be better and make sure you eat plenty of fruit and veg and protein.

Answer 5

If you are burning that many calories per day, then you do need more calories than 1000. Your muscles will not recover properly if they are not nourished. And you're right, your metabolism can also be affected. Your body will start conserving energy (fat) for hard times if it thinks it is starving.

Answer 6

You are at risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)... which may involve hypoglycemic shock. This is basically fianting due to the low blood sugar levels which your brian needs. The early warning signs are:

confusion (severe one's)
shaking

hunger (less severe)
nausea

U should be fine unless you experience those severe symptoms.... at that time eat a choclate bar or drink come coke or someting.

Answer 7

Yes thats far too low...you must increase it to closer to 2000 for your health. The exercising may also be a little too much. try increasing your calorie intake but with healthy foods & reduce your exercising to 3 times a week

Answer 8

You probably should not drop below 1,200- 1,500. If you do your body will switch to starvation mode and attempt to conserve calories, making weight loss difficult. You will also switch to catabolism, unfortunately not only will you break down fat as your body looks for calorie sources, but also muscle. This is generally unhelpful, you may also begin to break down cardiac muscle, which is potentially dangerous.

Answer 9

yes you can. Calories give you energy. You may not feel tired but a prolonged habit of undereating will not do your body well.

Answer 10

Id say no, i have 198 a day, gym 4 times a week, im losing weight and i feel great!! So dont worry you will be fine!!