I have been a calorie counter for a couple years now and I know the golden at least 1200 calories a day rule. However I decided to cut out carbs for a few weeks to lose some extra pounds of fat for an event I have this weekend and Halloween.
Eating low carb and hitting 1200 calories a day seems to be impossible for me. For example: for breakfast today I had an egg with a spinach and feta salad and for lunch I had an entire bag of the frozen vegetable steamer of broccoli with a turkey burger. My snacks and dinner are also going to be lean meat and a ton of green veggies however even with all that food my calories are only hitting around 1000..
For the last couple days I've tried to eat more chicken or something to get my calories up: but I'm so full from all the vegetables I eat all day it just makes me feel uncomfortably full.
So I guess my question is should I force feed myself calories when I'm already full or give up on the low carb diet even though it's only going to be for a couple weeks?
Any insight would be incredibly helpful. Thank you ladies!!
You shouldn't be trying to eat low-fat and low-carb at the same time. If I were you I would switch out the chicken or turkey for a fattier meat, cook the vegetables, in oil, and/or add cheese. That way you won't have the volume of food making you so full but you'll get enough calories. I had a similar "problem" when I switched to low-carb but I just tried to get all my calories in and eventually my appetite adjusted.
Cut down on your veggies! Lots of veggies is great, but you don't need a whole bag of steamed broccoli. I'd be super full after that too! Try half a bag and add in some cheese, nuts, avocado, etc.
Eating 1,000 calories for a long period of time is not sustainable - your body will naturally start to crave higher calorie things to make up for the huge deficit, which could easily lead to binges (as the food won't be on your diet).
To be honest, I'd probably strive for a little more variety than lean protein and greens.
This isn't a diet plan I am going to sustain over a long period of time. It's just to lose a few extra pounds of fat before 2 events I have this month. I guess I just wanted to know if there would be any bad side effects if I didn't get 1200 calories in every day for a couple weeks.. I promise I have no intentions of continuing this diet for an extended period of time. I'll be back to normal clean eating in no time.
I'm by no means perfect at my daily diet.. but I honestly can't say I would recommend 1000ish cals per day ( even in a short term ) but if you are going to do this make sure you are taking a multivitamin. I do like the advise above though...add a handful of nuts..@200 calories..protein rich, good fats and you're good to go :-) Have fun at all your events :-).
I think for a short period of time, 1000 calories a day will be fine--ESPECIALLY given that the OP is a tiny person. If someone of my height and weight suggested it, I'd say no way, but for LeiLah913 it will be fine.
Just make sure you get some fats in your diet along with the veggies and protein. Fat is good for you.
I think for a short period of time, 1000 calories a day will be fine--ESPECIALLY given that the OP is a tiny person. If someone of my height and weight suggested it, I'd say no way, but for LeiLah913 it will be fine.
Just make sure you get some fats in your diet along with the veggies and protein. Fat is good for you.
Agreed. I usually have baked asparagus for dinner, and I cook it with a little olive oil - easy way to get some fats in there without really increasing the food volume. Nuts also work.
You should be ok at 1000 cals for the short-term. It sounds like you are eating healthy and getting your nutrients in. Plus, if you aren't hungry, you shouldn't force yourself to eat. I think lack of hunger is your body's way of saying "ok, I'm satisfied, don't need any more!" You shouldn't have any ill effects if it's a temporary thing, just listen to your body...good luck!
I feel like such a pig...I can ALWAYS eat more volume, haha. I can easily and happily eat a whole bag of steamed broccoli. I'm always trying to find ways to increase my volume while keeping calories low. As a result, I have a very hard time forcing myself to eat fats. I don't have a fat phobia, I know it's healthy, and I know I should be eating avocado, olive oil, nuts, etc. But frankly, I'd rather eat 100calories of high volume food than 100calories of olive oil used in cooking. It doesn't enhance the flavor all that much, it just seems like a waste.
But if you're having a hard time eating volume and getting enough calories, by all means, add some healthy fats. You'd be surprised how many calories are in a handful of almonds.
Eating under 1200 a day
You shouldn't have any ill effects if it's a temporary thing, just listen to your body...good luck! 
