Question--Having trouble eating enough, but only by a little bit...

Hi.  I have a question for some of you pro's out there.  About a month ago I found out that I was accidentally undereating.  I wasnt counting calories, I was just eating when I was hungry.  I decided to keep track of my calories for a few days and realized that I was coming in around 1200-1300, which I know is not enough.   For the past 3 weeks I have made a conscious effort to try and eat at least 1700 calories a day, which I think is the minimum I should be eating, but I dont make it there everyday.    I find myself usually eating on average 1500 a day, but I do manage to get around 1900 sometimes. 

  In the past 3 weeks that Ive been doing this I've lost about 5 lbs which seems to be a normal rate especially considering I have a lot to lose.   I guess my question is whether or not i really need to push myself to get at least 1700 calories a day, or is it more important to just be in a calorie range for the most part (1500-1900 calories depending on the day).   My biggest goal is to be healthy, so I definately dont want to be starving or malnourished.  

In case you need to know, im 20 years old, 5'4, 217 lbs.   I also usually do 40 minutes on the elliptical 3 times a week.

Thanks. 

I think the big concern with eating under calories is that eventually your body will feel like it isn't getting enough and you will binge.  Starvation mode can occur and slow down your metabolism but I don't think you are eating low enough for that.

I am 195 and 4'10" and I take in around 1400-1600 calories a day.  I try to earn anything above 1200 with exercise.  I think for your height/weight difference that you are hitting the same mark as I do. 

Keep up the hard work on the elliptical, it will pay off!  Try adding some resistance training too, it works wonders.

I would suggest using the website tools... "Calorie Target" will tell you what your caloric intake should be.

With your stats, but without your personal target weight I used a target of 130 lb, which is right in the middle of a healthy weight (BMI 22.3)  for your sex/age/height.

Using the aforementioned Target tool, you would get this answer:

You should consume about 1350 calories a day to reach your goal weight of 130 lbs.

This is at a reasonable weight loss average of 1.5 lbs per week, which should be reached by April 19, 2010.

Remember that this estimate is based on your body weight, height, age, gender, and activity level. It may vary slightly depending on other factors.

Generally, women should not consume any less than 1,200 calories per day, and men should not consume less than 1,500 calories per day.

....

Seems you are doing just right, just make sure you don't dip below 1200 and your on your way to a really nice spring 2010!

Your average seems to be about 1700, and it looks like it's working for you. I would stick with the 1500-1900 calorie range.

If your hunger is satisfied at 1200 to 1300 calories, don't force yourself to eat more. There is nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable after you eat! ugh! 

yeah, i feel like i graze throughout the day, but i never really eat anything substantial that makes up a lot of calories.   the problem with eating so little is that i wasnt losing weight.  im just going to keep doing what im doing.

It may not be the number of calories, but where you are getting them from.  Eating lots of fruits and veggies gives lots of filling bulk, but relatively few calories.  Protein is a must to maintain health while maintaining or loosing weight. 

Try to keep your carbs at 35-55% of your calorie intake, protein at 25-30%, and fats between 25-35%.  Keeping the percentges throughout the day helps your body get the kind of calories it nees in order to maintain health.