Could this be too little?

[Cinnabon]

I started logging into my journal where I have always kept my calories and macros(My carbs, fats, and proteins). I think I may be having a problem, I am coming up on less than 800 calories a day and I work out. Can somone share their daily intake?
I know I have posted this before, but not really got many responses.....

[TAutry]

Hi Cinnabon,

I saw your earlier thread, but didn't think I had much to offer. I don't watch it closely, but a few months ago I kept a check on my daily calories for a few days. I consistently came up with something around 1800. I spread that amount over the entire day. Normally, I eat 6-7 times per day. I don't have a really extreme workout plan, but I lift weights 2-3 times per week, use a HealthRider and sometimes a stationary bike.

Travis

[Cinnabon]

WOW.... So I am eating too little!?

[zookeeper671]

800 cals a day plus exercising? Unless you're a dwarf, yes, that's too little calories/day. ;)

[Cinnabon]

call me "dopey"... LOL

Sad but true.. I need help with better nutrition ideas, since I cant afford a nutritionist

[zookeeper671]

Eating about 400 cals (minimum) more a day would be a start. :)

Try adding an additional food item to each meal, and/or increasing the number/size of snacks you eat daily.

Also... are you maintaining or losing weight on your 800 daily cals?

Do you like to cook? (I don't. lol)

[Cinnabon]

1200 sounds pretty healthy ;)

Im trying to loose weight, I have put on about 12-pounds since my entire stress ting started about 6 months ago. Like you might already know, my doctor is the worst and I cant afford a nutritionist. I have always eaten healthy but this has gotten to the extreme. Im just too carerful sometimes watching my BS levels.

Do u eat ir even like some Atkin's products?

[archimeech]

Be careful what types of calories you are adding. What are your sugars and A1Cs running? I see you are in a major city, go by one of the major chain bookstores, the ones that let you read the books while you sip some coffee or tea. Find a couple of decent books on diet and exercise, there should be quite a few that will have the approval of the American Diabetes Association. Sit down with a Latte(fake sugar only!) and read for a while. You actually have a better problem than most. Yours is having to add to your diet instead of taking away. Do you have medical insurance? If you do, then you primary care physician or endocrinologist can write a consult for you to see a dietician at your local hospital or Diabetes ecucation center. If you can't get an appointment with someone, at least call your local Diabetes Education Center and ask them if there are any programs or free services available to you in the area. Most hopsitals usually have some kind of outreach program.

[archimeech]

I strongly suggest you change Doctors, maybe look into finding someone at the U of Miami. They have an extensive Diabetes management study there from what I've been able to gather.

[archimeech]

Even if you can't afford a nutritionist, the local Diabetes Education Center should at the least be interested in meeting with you briefly and giving you some of their literature. You should be able to figure out what you need to be doing with a few pamphlets from them. Also look into the Hispanic/Latino community. I know they should have some kind of diabetes awareness program that can help you with your diet.

[Cinnabon]

Most of my calories come from lean protein. My macros are
anywhere 50/20/30 <(Prot)/(Carbs)/ (Fats>

[archimeech]

So you're only eating 20grams of carbs a day? Even under stress I think that may be too little.

[Cinnabon]

yes.... I know. About how many do u eat, If I may ask?

[archimeech]

Sure, not at all.
I am male/33 yrs old/6-2"/194 lbs with a somewhat active lifestyle. I am actually 2 lbs under my ideal weight set by the National health Institute.
I eat 40-50 grams of carbs for my 3 main meals and and I eat 20-25 grams of carbs for my snacks. I am on pump therapy and average about 40 units of Humalog insulin daily(boluses and basal rate included) This number of carbs is along with balancing out fat/protein/fibe in a balanced meal plan. Guidlines given to me by a licensed dietician from the local Hospital. My last A1C was 6.7, the best I think I've ever had.

[Cinnabon]

CONGRATS....

Thats AWESOME! I think if I eat that many carbs, My BS sky rockets.. lol

I also work out 4-5 xs a week.

[archimeech]

Well, I don't run into too many women that are as tall as I am so I'm sure that you don't need all those carbs, lol. But if your BS is fine and you're gaining weight instead of losing it with that much exercise, it may be hereditary or you may very well have a thyroid condition. Most women with diabetes eventually have a problem with their thyroid. You may want to get it checked. It's a simple blood test. Do you have any insurance at all?

[Cinnabon]

Yes... as a matter of fact, my results come back today. This will be my 2nd Thyroid test in the past 2 months. the first one didnt show any problems, but I wanted one done by an Endo. You might want to read my other posts. My Endo is a nut case, but I just want my results.

[archimeech]

I understand about the Nutso Endo! I have gone through 2 and am on the last one in All of Savannah. I see him in December and hope that he is better than the last 2. May I ask, are you overweight, or does your family have a weight problem? It may be that you're just hitting one of those points in your life when your body slows down a little.

[Cinnabon]

I am 15 lbs over weight. My family is not stick thin but not an overweight issue. I do know that the more insulin you take the more you gain weight. Insulin causes weight gain.

[zookeeper671]

Generally, if you consume less than 1200 cals a day, your metabolism slows down in order to compensate for the decrease in fuel (food). The less you eat, the slower it goes.

By eating the adequate amount of calories per day for your activity level, age, height, etc., and eating throughout the day (small meals, snacks), you can keep your metabolism "revved up."

A calorie is a calorie. The healthier, though, the better.

[archimeech]

I agree exactly with Zoo-. It's a sticky balace of eating enough carbs to maintain your metabolizm while not taking in too many. Once that happens the body begins it's feast-or-famine fat storage cycle. Storing up energy for later use. Unfortunately our genetic evolution has not caught up with our technological and societal advancements. While it is better to reduce your need for insulin, it should not be done to such a degree that you are starving your body for the required amount of nutrients. It would be like only turning on the engine in your care when going up hill and then shutting it off and trying to coast downhill.(may not be the best analogy but only one I can think of)