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Bloating Question(s)...

Okay...so, I know that if you are truly anorexic (i.e., extremely so and you consume only a few hundred calories) then your stomach becomes bloated. I've heard that somewhere, though I don't know why it is.

However, say that you eat less than 1200 calories on average -- more like 1000 to 1100 or so, give or take a bit -- do you still become bloated? I have been looking at myself and don't know if my stomach looks the way it does because I have to tone up more or because of this or what.

Also, are there any types of foods that reduce bloating?

Original Post by lunaropal:

Okay...so, I know that if you are truly anorexic (i.e., extremely so and you consume only a few hundred calories) then your stomach becomes bloated. I've heard that somewhere, though I don't know why it is.

However, say that you eat less than 1200 calories on average -- more like 1000 to 1100 or so, give or take a bit -- do you still become bloated? I have been looking at myself and don't know if my stomach looks the way it does because I have to tone up more or because of this or what.

Also, are there any types of foods that reduce bloating?

what does anorexia have to do with your question, i am confused. anyhow, yes you can become bloated even if you're eating less than 1200 calories, it's not really how much calorie wise that determines bloat but moreso WHAT you're eating. if you eat 1200 calories worth of broccoli you're going to be pretty damn bloated, but if you eat 1200 calories of almonds, you might not even have a bulge. does that make sense?

I just meant that I have heard/read/whatever that when someone is starving themselves, or is starved, their stomaches tend to bloat (for reasons I forget). So I was questioning as to whether someone may or may not become more bloated based on them not eating "enough" calories.

What other foods are more likely to prevent bloating?

oooh..so to answer that part of your question, yes being starved can cause the stomach to appear bloated because in relation to rest of your body anything in your stomach tends to stick out and is quite noticeable, it's really due to just the disproportionate nature of the limbs and general emaciation. in regards to low bloat foods, i'd say more calorie dense items tend to be less bloating, and things low in sodium...sugar free items and high bulk veggies cause bloating

so bananas, apples, and pears are good

potatoes

yogurt with probioticss

1 medium papaya

 steamed edamame

tomato sauce

cooked spinach

oranges

I found these recommendations from

http://health.msn.com/weight-loss/articlepage .aspx?cp-documentid=100234174

anyhow, i hope it helps and you really should be eating more!! any more questions don't hesitate to ask!!

Apples and pears actually tend to cause gas for a lot of people.

Bloating can also be from malnutrition. I've heard that a distended stomach is one of the symptoms of malnutrition.

Original Post by rindi:

Bloating can also be from malnutrition. I've heard that a distended stomach is one of the symptoms of malnutrition.

Most definitely, think of the way African children look.

chrissy, I know you mean well, but you really should be advising the OP to eat more rather than recommending foods that reduce bloating. I have a feeling the bloated stomach is not her biggest problem right now.

To the OP: there is no such thing as 'truly anorexic', you are either willingly starving yourself or not. A very petite teenage girl who is at bed rest burns at least 1500 calories a day, if you move around for a bit during the day I`d say you could safely lose at 1800 cals/day. Or even better, 2000/day with half an hour of exercise - that`ll make your tummy look smaller, trust me. ;)

There are many causes to being bloated.

If you are eating only 1000-1200 cals a day, you have bigger problems to worry about than being bloated. As a teen your MINIMUM should be 1500 calories. Calorie Count does not support starvation diets and that is what a 1100 calorie diet is for someone of your age and stats.

Calorie Count's mission is to promote healthy and sustainable weight management.

Here is some info from the Ask Mary section of Calorie Count:

Won’t I lose faster if I eat 1200 calories?

In the long run, you won’t lose weight faster by eating 1200 calories a day.  Under-eating deprives your body of essential nutrients and leads to muscle breakdown to provide energy.  With less muscle, you require fewer calories and you reach a weight low plateau more quickly.  Restrictive dieting also places you at risk for binge-eating which can lead to weigh gain and a life of yo-yo dieting

Why is 1200 calories the minimum for females of ALL body types? (1500 for teenagers!)

The 1200-1500 calorie a day minimum recommendation for women has nothing to do with the “starvation effect”.  Rather, it is virtually impossible to consume a nutritionally adequate diet with fewer than 1200-1500 calories, and even with 1200 calories, older women need to take calcium supplements to meet their requirements and many younger menstruating women need iron supplements too. Women who are taller and younger should eat more than 1200 calories because there is no advantage in following a restrictive diet that creates feelings of deprivation. 

Will I go into starvation mode if I eat 1000 – 1200 calories a day?

Your body will not selectively burn stored fat because your central nervous system needs glucose and you can’t make glucose from fat.  But protein can be converted to glucose, and so the body breaks down your muscles to provide it.  Ultimately, you lose lots of muscle along with fat, and that drives down your calorie requirements because muscle burns calories but fat does not.  You then maintain a higher weight on less food making weight gain inevitable.  For best results, eat the number of calories prescribed by the Calorie Target calculator in the Tools section.

Is it okay for me to eat 1200 calories a day?

No, it’s not okay to eat 1200 calories a day unless you are a small, older woman whose calories requirements are already low.  By eating too little, you place yourself at risk for malnutrition, massive muscle breakdown, and binge eating disorder.  Take it slowly, stay healthy, and practice new behaviors to make them stick.  Read about lifestyle changes vs. short cuts at About.com.

Am I in starvation mode if I am eating 500 calories a day?

I eat 500 calories a day or less. Is it possible for me to loose weight if I keep eating 500 calories?

On 500 calories a day, you will become malnourished and your body will breakdown. Your immune system won’t work; you will lose your muscle mass and lower your metabolism; you will lack energy, and then you will binge and feel badly about yourself. Don’t do it! Use the Burn Meter in the Tools section to calculate your calorie requirements at a decent activity level. Eat a balanced diet at that calorie level and keep food logs. Take it slower and practice new ways of eating and moving that can last for the rest of your life.