too FEW calories?

Hey everyone, I'm kind of new on here... but I've been dieting for about 2 months and I've lost 12ish pounds - at 127, hooray! (kind of)

Well, I was wondering because for my height/weight and stuff it says I should be eating around 1800 calories, 1500 minimum... but I raaaarely ever get over 1000, usually around 900. Is this really really bad for me??? I know this may sound like a stupid question but is it really detrimental to my health or something to be getting that few calories, even though, I'm basically fine in all other ways? I'm not anorexic or bulimic or anything, I've never been diagnosed, but I honestly just don't want more. Like before I ever thought of dieting I put what I ate in here for fun and it was about 1200, and that was on a normal day. So with dieting I've cut it down a bit, but I'm not sure if I really should try to eat more. I'm fine otherwise, been losing weight, but right now am terrified of eating more and having a yo-yo dieting effect...aahh!! So - if I do eat more will I gain a lot??? sorry if this was a way long post for a kind of silly question...all feedback appreciated :)

I guess the point is to get all the vitamins and minerals you need in a given day, plus carbs, fat, and protein. I find it kinda' tough sometimes, too, b/c I reach all my protein, carb, and fat limits by the time I reach only 1300 calories (with my activity level, I should be eating about 1800).

I would keep track of getting enough of the right foods. I mean, a person could reach 1300 calories by eating 4.75 Mars bars, but is that healthy? :o)

haha well thankfully I don't like Mars bars :)

I take a multivitamin and a bunch of other vitamins/dietary supplements daily as well, and I think I have my carbs/fats/proteins sufficient amounts...can never be sure though. Yeah, I guess the main thing I need to watch out on is not making 150 of those calories after eights or something...ugh but they're just soooooo goooooood :P

well, im no expert but from everything that youll read on here, that is far too low in calories.  im recovering from an eating disorder and i can tell you that for me, thats how it started.  eating less and then losing a few pounds..thinking how great is was and then just continueing to do the same..then not being able to stop.  it was really just a snow ball effect.  it can and often does lead to yo yo dieting..and even if you are meeting all your dietary needs, proceed with caution.  most people start off innocently and then before you know it, there are more serious issues that can come up.  please read a few other posts on here, and maybe more people with more experience can chime in, but just be careful..and be healthy!  take care

Yeah, that's bad, to put it bluntly. I was in the same situation a little over a year ago, and I got down to right around your weight [I had been 150]. Then, I stopped losing. I lost like a pound a month. I'd damaged my metabolism like craazy. To lose more weight, you should be eating at LEAST 1300, and 1500 if you can manage, though since you've been eating so little you WILL gain weight, but it'll come off soon enough [most of it likely being water weight].

If you had been eating 1200, though, your metabolism had probably slowed down a bit already, so it might take a while to repair the damage. Everyone's different, though.

Btw, that was only the beginning of a looonnng period of disordered eating, so pleeease take care of yourself and eat more darling!

thanks everyone, I will definitely try to eat more then.

I've been working on more strength training to build up muscle & metabolism, so hopefully that combined with more food will have good results!

 

900-1000 calories a day is too low, especially if you are a growing teenager. 

Here is a calculator with lots of information including calorie information for teenagers.  http://www.kidsnutrition.org/bodycomp/bmiz2.h tml

More Good Information on Calorie Guidelines, Health, Exercise and Nutrition for Teenagers. Nutrition, Exercise & Weight Management for Teens

Here's a place with information on nutrition and health issues for Teenagers. Nutrition & Health for Teens 

Aside from the fact that you are a growing teenager and need extra nutrition to support growth, this article explains starvation mode and why undereating is counter productive.  Dieting & Metabolism

I hope some of these links help you find out the information you are looking forward. 

Good luck with upping your calorie intake as well as your weight loss.

UTR
Volunteer Moderator

If you're active at all, 1000 is not enough.  If you aren't active, that may explain why you don't feel as hungry, but it's still not healthy.  Try upping your calories and also upping your activity level.  You'll find you want to eat more if you're more active.  I think even with taking vitamins it would be very hard to get all the nutrients you need in just 1000 calories.  Are you getting any fat in your diet at all?  Some vitamins require fat in the diet in order for them to be absorbed properly (vitamins A, D, E, K).  If your calorie intake drops too much, your body will go into starvation mode and it will start pulling nutrients from your body to compensate and you'll lose muscle mass. It will leave you really tired and cause havoc in your immune system.  Take a look at your diet and see where you can make some changes.  Could you add more fruits and veggies?  Do you need more protein?  How's your fiber intake?  Start slow and eat frequently - lots of little meals - that should help ease your stomach back into accepting the right amount of food.  Also be sure to drink plenty of water.

Thanks a lot, I totally didn't know that about the vitamin/fat thing! I'm taking everyone's advice to heart, I'll for sure try to eat more and stuff. I just feel so stuffed!!

Good luck everyone, and thanks again!