Is it okay to eat fewer calories if I'm taking multi-vitamins?

I'm trying to lose weight, so I'm eating 900 -1200 calories a day, plus working out six days a week. I know that you should eat at least 1200 calories a day for a healthy balanced diet, but can taking multi-vitamins make up for the lack in calories if I'm eating really well otherwise?

Vitamins aren't the same as calories. Calories are what you burn. You don't burn vitamins. At the rate you're going now, your body doesn't have enough raw energy to burn. You may be just fine on vitamins and minerals, but your body doesn't burn that stuff. It burns calories.

So. Short answer - no!

Nope, it's not OK.

The kind of malnutrition you want to avoid is called "protein-energy malnutrition" which is basically not enough calories, or protein, or both. Micronutrient deficiency is what happens when you don't get enough vitamins. It's no picnic either (haha) but it's not what makes your metabolism slow down. You need fuel, period.

No, it's not! You get no energy and precious little nutrition from a vitamin...no protiens, no fats, no carbs. 1200 is the absolute BARE MINIMUM for a female who is sedentary. If you are exercizing everyday you will need to eat much more than that!

Rather than speeding your weight loss you will starve yourself. Your body will not let go of any of its resources if you are burning waaay more than you're intake. It shuts down, starts eating your muscles and although you will feel fine for while you will not lose and then you will start to feel sick and tired. LESS is not MORE when it comes to dieting.

Use the tools on this site to determine what you are burning everyday and how many cals you should eat to hit your target weight. On no account go under 1200. You should never have more than 1000 cal different between your burn rate and your intake. That will put you in starvation mode!

Thats all great information. Thank you.

Another little tidbit I'd like to add:

Vitamins are best absorbed in the body through food. Eating foods high in vitamins and minerals is a heck of a lot gentler on your body than eating multivitamins every day. My grandma did that and it really tore up her organs (liver I believe, and pancreas). So, just keep in mind that multivitamins are good and all, but like everything else, use in moderation!

With every benefit, there is a cost.