How Many Calories Should I Be Eating?

[jabsimmons 0]

I am 4 weeks 2 days post op and have been logging my calories in my fitness pal for a week. I'm getting anywhere from 650 calories/day all the way up to 1100 one day. I can find all kinds of information about what foods to eat and portion sizes, but what about actual calorie intake? My 1100 calorie day was because I juiced some fruits, added a banana and a Protein shot and sipped on it over a couple hours. My Fitness Pal tells me everyday that I'm eating too few calories, but I think we're unique due to the nature of our surgery. Sure would love to know how many calories others are taking in.

[Lissa 2,631]

I get that same darn message every single day from MFP. MFP also lies to me daily, telling me that I'll weigh some ridiculously low amount "in 5 weeks". @@

I have my calorie goal set at 1,000 and seldom meet it. You'll also notice that MFP adds your exercise calories back into your available to eat calories. Just ignore the messages and keep working your plan. I look to make sure I've met my Protein goals and Water goals daily and don't worry about the calories or carbs.

Good luck!! I'm Lissa912 on MFP, if you'd like to add me.

[bikerchick519 202]

I keep wondering about that too. I was sleeved in Mexico so I don't have a nutritionist. I just moved up from 700 to 800 calories and some days I go over a little. The last 2 weeks I've noticed I can eat more and that scares me. I had to go back to measuring everything. I have a week where I lose 3 to 4 pounds and the next week I'm lucky if I lose a pound. There's no consistancy.

[RickM 1,753]

This is another area where there is a fair bit of variation between plans and individuals. Some plans limit calories to 6-800 per day and ultra low carb, while others are less specific and people doing well at 1000-1200 per day. A lot of it depends on individual metabolic rate, how much one needs to lose and individual activity levels. I was a relative lightweight at a BMI of about 42 and around 100lb to lose, averaged 1100 calories per day without any particular regard to carbs and got to goal in 7-8 months.

Most tracking programs will throw up some warnings at very low intake levels, as those are generally unsafe without proper medical supervision (surgery or no surgery.) The very low calorie levels can lead to various nutrient deficiencies that need to be monitored which we presumably are getting one way or another; the more restricted our diets, the more the need for wider monitoring to keep things in check.