Lisa Nelson

How Many Calories Per Day?



Posted: Wednesday, January 20, 2010

by
Be Heart Healthy and Lose Weight

Have you ever been frustrated by not losing weight even when you feel like you’ve done everything possible to cut down on calories?

So is less really best when it comes to how many calories per day we eat? One might think that reducing calories is the most direct way to manage weight. However, this can backfire, especially with eating less than 1200 calories per day (or higher in some individuals). When one cuts their calories down too low the body’s metabolism (the rate at which we burn calories) can become compromised and slow down. This happens as the body senses starvation and switches into conservation mode, burning fewer calories so that the available calories go to vital body organs. As a result of a slower metabolism the body can’t burn calories as efficiently which can slow down and/or prevent weight loss. Does this sound familiar? Many diets actually result in deprivation gone-too-far and slow the metabolism.

The solution in this case is to eat more (and ditch the diet)! By gradually increasing your calorie level with healthful food choices and eating at regular intervals you will be optimizing your metabolism.

Of course, there are times when reducing calories is appropriate by replacing high fat or high sugar foods with healthier options. However, ask yourself it’s possible that you’ve cut out too many calories. You might be wondering how you would know this. Here are some possible signs of calorie intake being too low…

* Extreme hunger
* Fatigue
* Cravings
* Weight plateaus (i.e. not losing any more weight)
* Headaches
* Difficulty making decisions
* Irritability
* Shakiness, lightheadedness, dizziness

Receive 1-A-Week Weight Loss Tips to get on track to successful weight loss at http://www.weightlosswithlisa.com.
Lisa Nelson RD is the founder and owner of Health Practices Online and Heart Health Made Easy.

Health Practices Online provides online business management services for busy health professionals who are overwhelmed by everything involved with establishing an online presence.

Receive regular tips and the free report "7 Steps to Starting an Online Health Practice" at http://www.healthpracticesonline.com.

Heart Health Made Easy provides clients step-by-step guidance to lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and weight loss, so they can live life and enjoy their family for years to come. Lisa will make it truly possible for you to see dramatic changes in your health, without crazy fads or impossibly difficult techniques.

Receive regular tips and the free report "How to Make Heart Healthy Changes into Lifelong Habits" at http://www.hearthealthmadeeasy.com.

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