Just started eating 1800 calories a day and feel like crap

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies. I took an Advil and I feel a little better. I am going to look into protein sources besides eggs and nuts. Does anyone like a protein powder they are using?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the replies. I took an Advil and I feel a little better. I am going to look into protein sources besides eggs and nuts. Does anyone like a protein powder they are using?

I use hemp powder in my smoothies. I can't do whey protein because it makes my stomach hurt. I'm a vegetarian and I have a hard time getting enough protein, but I got some good ideas when I did the South Beach Diet. They have online forums--maybe it would be a good place for you to look? Some things I do are make omelet muffins once/week and have them for a quick breakfast throughout the week. I also use the ready-made cauliflower rice at Wegman's as a base for dishes with beans that are satisfying and filling.

[Anonymous]

Be careful to drink MORE water than before. Eating less dehydrates you.

Stick to unprocessed fruits and veggies to ward of constipation and get vitamins and fluids, eat lean protein (I'm buying turkey ham with 0 fat right now, there's also tofu and chicken, etc), and nix the starch (rice, pasta, bread). Take a multivitamin, perhaps iron if you have anemic tendencies.

You must be tall. My normal calorie intake is 1400 and my diet one is half that.

[Anonymous]

How tall are you?

[Anonymous]

Did you try to cut caffeine as well? I've seen people who diet and cut back on caffeine at the same time and go through caffeine withdrawel.

[Anonymous]

I'm 5'5" but overweight. And I am pretty active in that I have a job where i am on my feet for almost all of it.

[Anonymous]

Do you exercise a lot? I exercise a lot, so when I diet, I can't drop below 1,500 calories more than I burned. So if I burned 500 calories running, I need to eat 2,000 calories total or I get light-headed. Maybe 1,800 is too little?

[Anonymous]

That happened to me at the beginning. It was just withdrawal from caffeine and sugar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Drink more water, yes. What kind of food are you eating? If you cut back the carbs and get protein and healthy fat within your calorie limit, you'll feel better.

I don't think of 1800 calories as a low-calorie diet, unless maybe you're a pro athlete. I have to stick to 1000 or I gain weight, sadly.

Um, I think most pro athletes eat more than 1,800 calories a day. Eating 1000 calories/day is not normal or healthy. What weight are you trying to maintain? Seems like it's too little.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Drink more water, yes. What kind of food are you eating? If you cut back the carbs and get protein and healthy fat within your calorie limit, you'll feel better.

I don't think of 1800 calories as a low-calorie diet, unless maybe you're a pro athlete. I have to stick to 1000 or I gain weight, sadly.

Um, I think most pro athletes eat more than 1,800 calories a day. Eating 1000 calories/day is not normal or healthy. What weight are you trying to maintain? Seems like it's too little.

+1

The above is not in any way normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Be careful to drink MORE water than before. Eating less dehydrates you.

Stick to unprocessed fruits and veggies to ward of constipation and get vitamins and fluids, eat lean protein (I'm buying turkey ham with 0 fat right now, there's also tofu and chicken, etc), and nix the starch (rice, pasta, bread). Take a multivitamin, perhaps iron if you have anemic tendencies.

You must be tall. My normal calorie intake is 1400 and my diet one is half that.

Nobody's caloric intake should be 700 calories. Your metabolism must be so jacked up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Be careful to drink MORE water than before. Eating less dehydrates you.

Stick to unprocessed fruits and veggies to ward of constipation and get vitamins and fluids, eat lean protein (I'm buying turkey ham with 0 fat right now, there's also tofu and chicken, etc), and nix the starch (rice, pasta, bread). Take a multivitamin, perhaps iron if you have anemic tendencies.

You must be tall. My normal calorie intake is 1400 and my diet one is half that.

Nobody's caloric intake should be 700 calories. Your metabolism must be so jacked up.

Agree. Such terrible advice from the pro-ana crowd here.

OP, your body is just adjusting. It'll take a week or so.

[Anonymous]

1200 calories and exercise is the only way that I can lose weight. 1800 calories for me would result in the scale not budging.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the replies. I took an Advil and I feel a little better. I am going to look into protein sources besides eggs and nuts. Does anyone like a protein powder they are using?

I just use the generic/Giant brand protein powder. Anyone is fine; just look at the label and make sure it doesn't have any sugar/carbs.

I prefer protein bars to protein powder - easier to stock in car, office, etc. I like Quest protein bars - tons of flavors, taste pretty good, high protein, good amount of fiber and very low sugar.

Other protein sources - eggs, tuna, nut butters, greek or Nordic yogurts (but be careful to get highest protein/ lowest sugar combos only - I like Oikos black label which has fiber and Siggi's). I also like Fairlife high protein milks. Fairlife is the real milk that I find has the highest protein/lowest sugar combo. The single serve container has close to 20g of protein.

I find that it takes a minimum of 20g og protein to kill my appetite for a few hours.

[Anonymous]

OP, I've been doing the Cooking Light Diet at 1200 calories per day and will say honestly that when I follow it to a T I am perfectly full and have plenty of energy. The focus is on protein, vegetables, and a minimum of whole-grain carbs. The plan includes three meals and a snack at $2/week. Maybe you should give it a try. . .