If you’re like most people, you envision a weight loss plan in terms of cutting calories and deprivation of your favorite foods. Truthfully, the most successful plans focus on eating the right foods, rather than eliminating the “wrong” ones. But still, there is a certain amount of calorie-cutting that goes into any good weight loss plan. But can you go too far?
Absolutely! If you experience any of these symptoms, you’re cutting calories too low, and you need to eat a bit more.
Things aren’t, uh, moving along as they should. When your body senses that you’re “starving”, it preserves energy by slowing your digestion. You’ll become constipated, which certainly isn’t comfortable, and can lead to other problems. Increase your intake of fiber, especially from sources like fresh fruits and vegetables.
You’re tired all of the time. If you aren’t getting enough energy from the foods you eat – and in particular, if you aren’t getting enough of crucial vitamins and minerals – you aren’t going to feel energetic. That seems obvious, but you would be surprised at the number of people attempting a 1,000-calorie daily diet, who are surprised at how awful they feel. Dial up your calorie intake, and you’ll be able to balance that because you now have enough energy for exercise.
You’re in a bad mood. A high-protein, low-carb diet will help you lose weight. But if you cut carbs completely, your blood sugar levels might also dip too low. This will leave you feeling grumpy, and the problem could become so bad that your relationships and work suffer.
Your weight loss progress has stalled. If you cut calories too low, those efforts can actually backfire. Your body will go into self-preservation mode, slow your metabolism, and release hormones that preserve fat storage. This can be detrimental to your long-term health and set you up for yo-yo dieting.
Medical weight loss diets can have different requirements and restrictions, so if you’re not sure about your ideal daily calorie allotment, call us to schedule an appointment. We can review your program and make sure you are on target with the proper nutritional regimen.
