[Jenny]

I am only trying to shed about 5 lbs and then maintain but I was wondering is 1400 cals a safe amount to eat a day? I don't want to go too low. I am not experiencing lows with it either. I know I should ask my dietician but just wanted some opinions on it too.

[Belinda]

Jen once I was told 1200, but that was a long time ago....I think I forgot how to count calories...I am guessing with all the variety/sizes of clothes in my closet I should figure it out so I could have room to weed them out and get new ones....

[Jenny]

LMAO Bel! I have 2 different sizes I go back and forth from.

[Harold]

Really doubt you will find a one size fits all type answer. Too many things go into what a persons needs are. Age, height, sex, health, and activity all go into determining what your minimum would be. A better way would be to calculate what your activity requirements and calculate weight loss and then you may have a better idea. I find the numbers come up a little high for me like on the order of 10% to 20% depending how it's working for you may need to adjust it a little.

[SunniD]

Calories Count: Simply put you need to burn more calories than you are eating no matter what method you use to lose wt.

Eat Well: Choose a nutritionally balanced diet that includes foods from
each of the 4 food groups. Balance your core nutrients -this is critical
to any wt. loss program.

Carbs - fuels our brain and muscles. 130 carbs /day is required as a
minimum for brain function - aim for 45% -65% of your calories.

Protein - builds, maintains and repairs body tissues - aim for 10% -35%
of your calories.

Fat - contributes essential fatty acids, Vitamins A, D, E and K and is a
concentrated energy source - aim for 20 - 35% of calories (mostly
unsaturated).

Get moving - people trying to lose wt. should move approx 60 mins./day
doing a physical activity of their choice.

Build for success: Track what you eat, make wise choices and adopt some new habits. Rewards are nice too.<smile>

[KLD]

The ratios of protein/carbohydrates/fats that SunniD has given are close to those recommended by the various diabetes associations, but in recent years there is growing, though still minority, support amongst medical people (including my endocrinologist) for the idea that diabetics should be eating far less carbohydrates. My caloric intake is made up of about 70% fats, 20% protein, and 10% carbs. I've been eating this way for 2 1/2 years, and all my health indicators - blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride, energy level, and kidney function - are excellent. I eat between 45 and 50 grams of carbs a day, spread out over four meals, and, although many people might disagree, my brain functions just fine!

Karen

[SunniD]

Thanks Karen- I didn't know how to ask how your brain was functioning so am quite glad you replied.<smile> I found that an interesting fact. I am down to 100 carbs /day and am finally losing wt with lots of exercise but it's not easy. My brain is also still functioning!!

I believe the dieticians still have the recommendation in their books of 45 carbs/meal from what I've read.

SunniD

[rzrbks]

It's nice to see that people are finally letting their personal peccidilos out. I assume that by "cals" you mean Califorinians.

So, my thinking on this would be that as long as you aren't too greedy, people won't notice the dissappearance of neighbors. Perhaps though, you should spread out from where you harvest them .

Also, if you pick a good one, it would last for a number of meals; and, of course, like any craving, you don't want to over-satiate so I would include them only on a limited basis.

[sillyboy]

i eat basically about 1300 to 1400 calories a day..about 6 day's a week..for the seventh day i eat a little more...never have had a problem...