Undereating Topic

Kapp’n 02/16/23
5 foot 4.5 156 lbs

Only eating around 600-800 calories while restricting carbs to about 70-100g a day. Around 20-40g protein and 20-30g fat. Eating fruits and veggies daily, and eating plenty of lentils and whole wheats everyday. Going to the gym at least 5 times a week (Cardio 1hr+ and light resistance training)

Is this sustainable, or is this sabotaging my weight loss plans? (Losing 20lbs 2lbs a week)

U1186952115 02/17/23
That sounds excessively low on calories

Dietician 02/17/23 replied to Kapp’n
Hi Kapp'n-
Not sure you saw my response to your post under the "Ask a Dietitian section," so I am reposting it here- Please let me know you received this~

I am sorry to hear you are struggling. It can be hard when we are putting a lot of energy and attention into something and not seeing the results we expect. Eating enough energy each day is imperative for good health such as a strong heart and lungs, a strong immune system, healthy bones and proper brain function. When we don’t eat enough and ignore our body’s signals of hunger, we can’t make good decisions. Simply put, our brain doesn’t work as well.

From what you shared you are not eating enough to maintain or promote proper health. I would suggest eating more. Specifically, strive to eat 3 meals/day and 3 snacks. Make sure your meals and snacks are well balanced. This article explains how to build a healthy meal: https://www.mynetdiary.com/foods-for-good-nutrition.html

In addition to eating enough fuel, you also need to stay hydrated. This article maps out your fluid needs: https://www.mynetdiary.com/how-much-should-you-drink.html

At MyNetDiary, we take health very seriously. It sounds like you are struggling with how you look, otherwise known as body image. This article provides suggestions on improving body image: https://www.mynetdiary.com/improve-body-image.html

I would suggest you pause tracking and get help from a professional counselor. This resource provides counselors: https://www.betterhelp.com/

I realize this may not be what you were hoping to hear. Please know this advice comes from a place of concern. While tracking can be helpful for some people, for others it can trigger an eating disorder. Eating disorders are very serious. We at MyNetDiary do not allow individuals with eating disorders to use the app. Here are the terms and conditions (for your review) you agreed to when you began using the app: https://www.mynetdiary.com/terms.html

Please see this article for information on disordered eating and tracking: https://www.mynetdiary.com/eating-disorders-food-tracking.html

You deserve to feel good about yourself regardless of your weight and how you look in the mirror! I hope you find some help so you can feel your best! Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

Kapp’n 02/17/23
I had, and I appreciate the thought to repost. Just wanted to add some more info

Dietician 02/18/23 replied to Kapp’n
Hi Kapp'n- Thank you for letting me know you saw the post.

I am sorry to hear you are struggling! Consuming 600-800 calories a day is not enough. It is not healthy. Your body needs more fuel.

Please talk with a professional counselor about your relationship with food/weight. It seems tracking is not serving you well at this time. I suggest you delete the app and get help.

At MyNetDiary we take disordered eating very seriously and when you registered for the app you agreed to our Terms of use. Specifically, those terms stated: "If you currently have or have had anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or other related eating disorders, you are not permitted to use this Site and the Mobile Apps." This statement exists to protect you. Our overriding concern is your safety.

Eating disorders are harmful, potentially life-threatening disorders, and care should be taken to reduce your risk of developing, reigniting, or exacerbating an existing eating disorder.

Here are our Terms of Use for your review: https://www.mynetdiary.com/eating-disorders-food-tracking.html

You deserve to feel good about yourself no matter your weight! Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

U1194265672 02/18/23
Tbh if you guys are so against people restricting their calories to 600-800 you should update the app to put something to stop the app from asking you to go lower (or even not allow the user to set such a low calorie).

For example at the moment my calorie intake is around 1200 and the app was advising me to go lower (it kept saying “slower loss” and would only go green when I decrease my calorie below 1200 which is not healthy whatsoever).

So maybe do something about that before telling people that it’s unhealthy to be on such a low calorie intake. It’s very contradicting.

Dietician 02/19/23 replied to U1194265672
Hi U1194265672-
Thank you for your honest feedback.

It is important for people to know the ramifications of under-fueling thus we provide warning messages within the app. Here are the warnings under "My Plan" in case you missed seeing them-

"Warning: consuming fewer than 1,200 calories may result in nutrient deficiencies. Please consult a healthcare professional to approve.

800 calories is below your BMR which could cause excessive loss of lean body mass. "

It would be really helpful to know more about the messages you received advising you to eat less than 1200 calories. Our support team needs to look into this see.

Please email our support team letting them know what messages you received from the app advising you to eat less than 1,200 calories a day. They can be reached at Support@mynetdiary.com

I agree with you! It is time we revisit these warnings. It is not safe to be telling users to eat very low calories. Restricting calories to that extreme is not healthy. Thank you for your help with this! Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

U1194548875 02/20/23
So to lose 25kg by June by app set me at 1500, the more exercise I do the more they increase as my calorie deficit set is 1000, I’m currently 96kg, lost a bit since starting but I’ve lost despite going over my calories some days, don’t take it as a be all and end all, increase your calorie intake, exercise a bit and drink fluids, you will lose more eating more, trust me it confused me too, I’m 23, 5 months post partum and still learning x

U1194548875 02/20/23
But also remember your 16, you still need plenty of calories, delete this app for a bit, it will create a unhealthy mindset at the moment x

Undereating