Day of Too Little Calories?

Hi guys!

 So I've got a pretty healthy calorie-counting thing going here. I eat like 1300-1400 calories a day, and run several times a week. I usually end up with a "cheat" day like once a week or once every couple weeks - and it's never an obscene amount of calories. I'm 5'2 and like 120 right now - trying to lose 5-10lbs and generally be a healthier person.

ANYWAY - here's the question. I have a crazy theatre person work schedule and about once a week I end up working about 14 hours a day and go to sleep at night realizing that I've only eaten like 600 calories.

I'm wondering what this is doing to me? It's not too often, but it's not never either. I'm not well-versed enough in the science of the metabolism to undestand what that reversed cheat day is meaning.

I was wondering the same thing. As a college student, things can get crazy and I just realized I have only eaten 900 calories today when I should be eating 1650. But I am not even hungry! I am contemplating the best way to add some calories without making me feel uncomfortable. Any ideas?

Your body will tell you what it needs.  If you are hungry, eat, if not don't.  Just make sure you are listening and getting plenty of water. :-)

Original Post by dailyintake:

I was wondering the same thing. As a college student, things can get crazy and I just realized I have only eaten 900 calories today when I should be eating 1650.

Thank GOODNESS!!!!!! theres someone else in the world who runs around like i do, Monday through thursday I find it impossible to eat lunch... my professors arent exactly going let me plead my case "But i need to eat 400 calories!!!!" Today i need to find a way to eat another 400 calories and ive already eaten dinner. I know, i know, people dont want to hear me complain about not eating enough, because were all eating too much.

Try keeping some meal bars around. They're easy to cart around and can add anywhere from 150-250 cals to your day.    When you do get around to eating, add in some high calorie but healthy foods like a handful of almonds, avacado slices on a salad, peanut butter on a banana. 

When I was in college I ate one meal a day---3-5 days a week because it always worked out that the one class I desperately needed fell during my lunch hour.  I KNOW I didn't get sufficient calories; and when I had some lab work done prior to knee surgery we discovered my body was badly deficient in protein.  (My mom about murdered me and bought me huge stores of nasty protein drinks.)  One day here and there probably won't hurt you...but if you do it on a consistent basis you won't get sufficient nutrients and your metabolism will get all out of wack.

(for college students, you might see if your cafeteria offers a brown bag program.  Although eating while walking to and from classes may not be ideal, it'd work.)

Eating too few calories on an infrequent basis is not totally harmful to your body. When you do have a minute to eat, make sure you consume a healthy proportion of both carbs and protein, and drink plenty of water! (NOT soda).  I like Odwalla bars--they got me through my very long, stressful, last semester at college.  However, if you find this situation occurring frequently it is not great for your body.  At first, your body will use up fat for energy, but it will also slow your metabolism which will defeat the purpose of what you're trying to accomplish.   

Hey,

Man I hear you about crazy theatre schedules.  I agree with the others here that the odd day with too few calories won't hurt you, but, if you want to eat more try keeping a bag of nuts or banana chips or something with you.  Easy snacking that does not require clean up or prep time, and won't make a mess.  I don't know if you're a techie or an actor, but if your a tech, especially a higher up tech, than you can try and find/make 5 or 10 minutes of time to go hide in the costume loft or whatever and eat a sandwich.  If you're an actor, that probably won't go over to well with your SM though.  

Good luck!

Trid