Diet and Nutrition

Am I eating enough calories

08/24/2008 01:05AM

Question:

ive ben dieting for 5 weeks ive lost 50 pounds so far i do cardio3 days a week and weight lifting 3 days a week i take a viatem evreyday green tea 2to3 times aday and eat 800 to a 1000 calories is that enough i was 425 and now 373.

Answer:

Generally, it is not possible to obtain all the nutrients (protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes) that you need in a very low calorie diet. A daily vitamin/mineral supplement does not supply all the nutrients found in food. You are using a good approach to weight reduction by decreasing your caloric intake and increasing your physical activity (both aerobic and muscle building). However, since your weight loss is extremely fast and you are consuming less than 1000 calories per day, you should be supervised by your physician who can monitor your blood levels, blood pressure, etc.
You should be proud of your recent weight loss, but I recommend that you seek the help and supervision of a physician, if you want to continue with a very low calorie diet. You also may want to visit a registered dietitian who can develop a long-lasting diet plan tailored to your needs and preferences. Best of luck!

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Response by:

Bonnie J. Brehm, PhD, RD
Professor
College of Nursing
University of Cincinnati