How much food do we need to live

I agree. Although, Gifts isn't on any special diet. She just can't physically get the food in her stomach. Her stomach was supposed to have stretched over time like mine did but hers didn't. She is losing her hair so in pretty sure she doesn't even get 600 calories a day. Prolonged intake of 600 calories a day will eventually cause the body to eat itself in a matter of speaking. 600 calories a day puts us into a state of ketoacidosis. That changes our metabolism catabolism, I think it's called. Anyway, just think Karen Carpenter starving herself until her heart gave out. I sometimes eat about 700 calories a day but I don't stay in that way of eating.

I should actually sit down and count my calories. I actually lost 15 pounds without even trying and my doctor suddenly cares. I can't sleep without having a complete full stomach, I was like this while on nights.

It goes beyond the calories. You do need nutrients and vitamins. Chips and things are empty calories. I was under weight most of my life so I dealt with this from the opposite angle as Gifts does. Excersise was important and calories are important. When I worked out I did need more calories or I just lost more weight. I had a list of foods that were good for the body but also higher in calorie content. Gifts actually needs a list of foods that are good for the body but in lower calorie content or maybe just smaller portions. Also changing up the menu helps, I think. Someone mentioned water and that is so true. It is important. Iced water actually boosts the metabolism and does help with burning calories as well as flushing the system. Gifts is a concern because she tends to go to extremes with the dieting and to the point of near starving. Many small portions are good since she is exercising. I saw her discussion where she does not want to eat at all until she loses and that is just scary. She is going to get sick.

I don't personally know anyone that has gotten ill because of the diets that they've been on. With that said, I do know that the culture here seems to think that more is better, but in all honesty, we don't need to have nearly as much food as we are eating on a daily basis. For me, I have to admit that I really don't eat all that much, but I am surviving and in fact I've been able to do something that is really important to me and that is that I'm actually losing some of the extra pounds that I have on my body.

winterose You have summed it up quite well. I just didn't know gifts exercises that much I go on a 1000 cal diet when I need to quickly lose..but I don't stay on it more than 2 weeks..and I exercise daily 30 minutes (except now that I have shingles...but I am getting better...

Well anyone eating 6000 calories isn't one who is trying to loose weight...They are trying to become SUMO WRESTLERS.. LOL, no winterose..I did read your correction post..but its funny how 1 extra (0) zero just took your post way, way over the top...LOL...

Do you know that it requires more calories when you sleep than when you watch TV? And using your brain requires a good amount of calories. I guess that is why many people who do not eat right have a hard time thinking clearly. Or at least, if I do not eat right I seem to not think right. I have gone on a crazy diet that was only 850 calories daily, and exercised like crazy and took a prescription diet pill at that same time, all under doctor supervision. Results: well the diet was nutritionally pretty sound, just very restricted. All I ever thought about was "what can I eat" and "when can I eat". I lost a lot of weight, pretty quickly, but was very toned at the same time, so that was good, but I think it messed up my brain chemistry at that time, because no matter how much I lost, I wanted to lose more. I also think it has messed up my metabolism, because now I cannot seem to lose much weight at all. As soon as I went off the diet, and off the diet pills, I began to gain back, and I weigh even more now than I ever did. On the other hand, I am stronger and probably healthier now.

not sure how many I eat right now for since being in the hospital I have no taste for food most tastes uycky adn I have lost 20 pounds in 3 months. Got where I am not hungry at lunch time eat breakfast for I have to when I take my pills . My daughter dont like my weight lose but my monitoing people says good weight for me I have lost mucsle and meat off my bones even my fingers . SO am thinking I do need to eat more but then Salads are the only thing that taste good hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I try to get through to people also that they need to drink alot of water to help flush out toxins and the rest. It also helps keep you from becoming dehydrated. ANd dehydration is scarey because it can take you over rather quickly.

good information to know thanks

I had no ideas about the going rate for survival in calories. I see we don't need much to survive if we're not very active. I am probably over eating in that reguard then because I am hardly ever active. Though I am not over weight by much.. I could use some trimming down.. Those who have really active life styles will need to eat more consistently just keeping their energy up for that!

give space in yourstomach 1/3 for air, 1/3 for water and 1/3 for yourfood. believe it be very healthy for you