Thread: Is 1,200 Calories a Day Enough?

I read an article at Good Housekeeping and I thought I should post it here. I'm sure everyone else is wondering the same thing:

What is the lowest calorie level a woman should eat? I've always thought that 1,200 calories a day would keep a woman from "starving," while helping her lose weight. Is that true?


The answer was an excerpted from The Supermarket Diet by Janis Jibrin, M.S., R.D. She said, although 1200 calories is enough to sustain an average woman, she would not recommend eating less than 1,500 calories a day. Here explanation is this:

1. Hunger. Eating 1,200 calories a day will make anyone feel very hungry.

2. Low energy. If you just sit all day, 1,200 calories would be enough but if you exercise and only take 1200 a day, it won't be enough to energize you.

3. Low nutrition. 1,200-calorie diet is not enough to give you vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that you need.

4. Research. Studies showed that you can lose weight on 1,500 calories a day. If you exercise, you can lose weight on 1,800 calories per day!


Source: Good Housekeeping - Is 1,200 Calories a Day Enough?

I used to be on a 1200 calorie diet.. I did feel hungry on the first 4-5 months but then I got used to it.. I switch to 1200 calories a day if I'm inactive but if I do some exercise, I switch back to 1500 a day..

I agree that 1200 calories is too low for some people but it's still a safe amount even for an average woman. If you choose your food well, you won't feel hungry under this diet.

I think a lot depends on your age and activity level. I saw a study recently that said women lose best and more consistently at 1200 calories than they do below but I hate generalities. When I was losing weight 1200 calories worked for me. I know people who don't lose until they drop their calories to 800. I was *starving* on 1200 calories when I was on weight watchers. When I went to the Durham Clinic's Rice Diet, it averaged out to about 800 calories at first and I wasn't hungry at all. So what you're eating probably determines "enough" as well.
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Good point. I really prefer to listen to my body instead of stressing about how many daily calories I should maintain for me to be completely happy with my weight. I have cut back on junk foods, avoided sodas and too much sugars, I have limited my salt intake, and increase my water consumption and I have not gained weight for awhile after losing them. I notice that I am starving and not satisfied with my meal when I skip dessert. So what I do is I make low sugar fruit puddings and have a small serving for dessert which is really satisfying and I do not crave for anything more until the next meal. Right now I think I'm at 1400 - 1500 calories a day and I exercise 45 minutes daily

its a proven fact, that not eating the correct amt, will infact, slow the process of loosing wieght, destroy or breakdown important functions of the body organs, starving yourself to loose wt is the worst thing anybody can do.

Absolutely. Consuming lesser amount of calories than your daily needs is potentially harmful to ones health. Why not eat what you want in moderation and still keep with your recommended daily calories and exercise? That's sounds a lot better and easier to do

I have known many people that used 1200 calorie diet menu and did not feel hungry, it depends on an individual, on his/her life

Since your daily caloric needs are calculates based on your gae, height, current weight and activity level, some might even have a calorie maintenance below 1200. Once you get used to your calorie limit, no matter how low it is, you'll eventually stop feeling hungry.

No need to worry about calories, they are not the reason for losing weight.
All you need to know is the types of food and fats you need to eat to burn weight right off!
And yes I did mean fats, certain fats help your body to burn your fat away where as other fats just store in your body and build up with all other foods.

If you do not believe me, watch the video on the site linked below to find out the real techniques to weight loss.