Question about Calories?

[love2play63]

I am in my 10 day on induction and not having trouble with staying under 20 carbs a day. My problem is my calorie intake. Most days I am under 800, some days under 500. I am not trying to cut calories. I eat eggs with bacon for breakfast, chicken salad, or tuna salad for lunch, and chicken, hamburger, vegs and a salad for dinner, I usually have a snack, maybe celery sticks, or a small piece of cheese. I drink lots of water over 100oz a day. I am not hungry enough to eat more.

Is eating this low of calories bad?

Thanks

[Richt]

Re: Question about Calories?

Eating this low number of calories is down right dangerous. And IMHO impossible! Please post your daily menu as I cant honestly see how someone can eat such few calories.

500 calories! Sorry, but I can hardly believe that anyone can eat that few.

Rich

[penniedo]

Re: Question about Calories?

You shouldn't be worrying about your calories right now, you should be concentrating on your fat/carb/protein ratios. Are you plugging your foods into Fitday.com??

[cleochatra]

Re: Question about Calories?

Eat to satisfy hunger and not to assuage calorie intakes, because they don't matter in induction. In other words, if you feel well (aside from induction flu-like symptoms) and are not hungry, you're a-ok.

[Brook]

Re: Question about Calories?

My question is, how is your energy level? I'm a big advocate for eating to satisfy hunger and not shooting for a specific amount of calories - either low or high - but 500 a day consistantly isn't going to give you the energy you need, and it's certainly not going to cover your nutritional bases.

There are times that 600-1000 calories a day satisfies my hunger, and it may even last a few days - but I have days that I hit upwards of 1800-1900 calories too. It all balances out. If eating THAT low is a consistant thing for you, I'd recommend snacking a bit more often. Remember, evolution has us beat. You can't really starve a fat cell

~Brook

[love2play63]

Re: Question about Calories?

Ok, I think you are calling me a liar..but here you are.

Menu from yesterday.

Breakfast
1 egg hard boiled
1 celery stalk w/cream cheese

Lunch
3 slices of ham
2 slices of cheddar cheese
1 cup salad w/dressing

Snack
2 celery stalk w/cream cheese

Dinner
3 oz beef tenderlion steak
1 cup broccoli- steamed
1 cups salad w/ dressing

Total calories 677 per fitday.com

I am truly not trying to cut calories, I just am not hungry.

[love2play63]

Re: Question about Calories?

My previous post was to RICHT.

[love2play63]

Re: Question about Calories?

Brook - My energy is great..I have more energy than I can ever remember. I am working out at the gym 5-6 days. I am taking vitamins also.. Thanks for the support.

[Richt]

Re: Question about Calories?

My previous post was to RICHT.

FWIW, I wasnt calling you a liar, just find it hard to imagine that someone can get by on such a low amount of calories.

I dont think I sounded as if I was accusing you of lying at all. I am just intrigued.

[Heidi3]

Re: Question about Calories?

I think .......it has been what a week since we had a calorie thread?

you are not eating enough and eventually it will catch up with you....and your appetite will most likely come back....

calories are not important to count ..especially during induction......what is important is to read the book...eat a wide variety of food from the acceptible list for induction....drink tons of water...get exercise and enjoy your adventure....

[2big4mysize]

Re: Question about Calories?

since you have energy and are ablew to exercise you are getting adequet fuel remember you got lots of cals stored as fat on your body to use as needed. As Brook stated you are going to have low hunger and high hunger days just feed your hunger and you will be a healthy loser on Atkins.

I'd guess you have the Essentials book cause you are having too many veggies for DANDR induction limit of 3 cups.

You could chose more nutrient dense snack foods though. celery doesn't have much nurteints in the veggie world.

[AudreyM]

Re: Question about Calories?

I was having calorie problems earlier this week, actually. According to fitday.com I was eating around 600-700 calories a day. I'm assuming it's because I now eat no junk and survive almost solely on veggies, a bit of cheese, chicken, and eggs. I also eat small portions because I fill up fast. Let me tell you - The induction flu came and went, but I could NOT shake my headache until I started monitoring my calories as well.

I'm not calling myself an expert on the subject, but eating 500 calories a day or less is going to put your body in starvation mode, no matter how unimportant people say calories are in the grand scheme of things. My nutrition goal is now 20g of carbs and 1000 calories a day. The 20 carbs (or less) is the important part, but making sure I get those extra calories keeps me feeling well. Let me pull up some of the low-carb things i've eaten that are pretty high in calories...

A sirlion steak - about 671 calories, 0 carbs, 74 grams of protein!
American cheese - As long as you don't go over 3oz a day, this can give you almost 300cals. Not sure if chedder has more or less...
1 cup of ground beef - 487 calories, 0 carbs.
1 tablespoon of mayo has about 100 cals!
Chicken obviously has calories, but much less than beef. Eggs have a noticable amount, too.

I think the only solution for those of us who eat small portions is to have beef once a day or another kind of meat twice. So maybe try eating a bit more beef with dinner and shop around for cheese that's higher calorie. Also try to fit in another egg when you can, maybe instead of having two pieces of celery as a snack. That might help you feel more energized. (I know it helps me!)

[2big4mysize]

Re: Question about Calories?

she said she is energized. if you fill up fast try eating 5-6 small meals a day and you should see your headache gone too.

headache is one of the chapter 12 symptoms of blood sugar issues. IF we have a problem with our health while eating Atkins WOE Dr Atkins tells us how to fix it if we read the book.

[AudreyM]

Re: Question about Calories?

I actually didn't see the part about her being energized. Every other post I read but somehow I managed to scroll right over that one. Either way, my advice still stands. As far as I can tell nothing in it violates the Atkins WOL and it has helped me feel much better.

Thanks for the advice about my headaches, if they come back i'll drag my book out again.

[love2play63]

Re: Question about Calories?

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I will try and add some calories everyday while keeping my carbs at 20. I did not experience the flu-like symtoms or headaches, like I have read that other people have (I guess I am lucky that way).

You all are a great source of information and support!!!