Is a 1200 calorie a day diet healthy?

A 1,200-calorie diet is much too low for most people and can result in negative side effects like dizziness, extreme hunger, nausea, micronutrient deficiencies, fatigue, headaches, and gallstones ( 23 ). Furthermore, a 1,200-calorie diet can set you up for failure if long-term weight loss is your goal.


How much weight can you lose on a 1200 calorie a day diet?

“And then, of course, everybody's metabolism is slightly different. But the average weight loss that most people see on the 1200 calorie diet is about one to two pounds per week.”

Can you be healthy on 1200 calories a day?

As a general rule, people need a minimum of 1,200 calories daily to stay healthy. People who have a strenuous fitness routine or perform many daily activities need more calories. If you have reduced your calorie intake below 1,200 calories a day, you could be hurting your body in addition to your weight-loss plans.


Why can't I lose weight eating 1200 calories a day?

You can't lose weight on 1200 calories a day because you're no longer in a calorie deficit. Your body has adapted to what it's been doing and plateaued. If you start your diet with a 500 calorie deficit per day, your body adapts to this in various way so that over time your energy requirements are reduced.

How much weight can I lose in a week on 1200 calories?

If you're a moderately active woman consuming closer to 2,200 calories a day, ingesting 1,200 calories is likely to result in the loss of around 2 pounds per week, or about 8 pounds per month. Every 500 calories you reduce from your daily diet can result in the loss of a pound per week.


Does a 1200 Calorie Diet Work? Is Quick Weight Loss Possible?



How long will it take to lose 15 pounds on a 1200 calorie diet?

After 1 year, those on the 1,200–1,500-calorie-per-day diet experienced an average weight loss of 15 pounds (6.8 kg).

Is 1200 calories too low for a woman?

Consuming at least 1,200 calories per day has often been touted as the minimum for basic bodily functions and to stay out of starvation mode, but the amount is actually too low. A healthy amount of calories for adult women ranges from 1,800 to 2,400 calories per day and for men it's 2,000 to 3,200 calories per day.

At what age is it harder to lose weight?

One of the primary reasons losing weight is harder to do as you grow older is due to a slowing metabolism. It is estimated that your metabolism slows down 5% every decade after you turn 40. This can occur because of the loss of muscle (or sarcopenia) which plays a crucial part in maintaining your metabolism.


How to feel full on 1,200 calories a day?

With a little planning, you can enjoy an array of tasty, high-satiety, low-calorie meals.
  1. Fill up on Fiber. Foods high in fiber help fill you up faster so that you are less likely to eat past your daily 1,200-calorie goal. ...
  2. Eat Water-Dense Foods. ...
  3. Go Whole-Grain. ...
  4. Schedule Meals and Snacks.


Why am I gaining weight eating less than 1000 calories?

You're holding onto water weight.

It's as simple as that really, unless you're incredibly small and in active you should and will lose weight on 1000 calories unless of course you're chronically stressed or really suck at counting calories.

What is the minimum calories per day to survive?

The amount of food we consume daily has a significant impact on bodily function. Most adults need a minimum of 2000 calories to sustain metabolism, muscle activity, and brain function.


What is the easiest diet to follow?

  • The Flexitarian Diet. #1 in Easiest Diets to Follow (tie) ...
  • TLC Diet. #1 in Easiest Diets to Follow (tie) ...
  • DASH Diet. #3 in Easiest Diets to Follow (tie) ...
  • Mediterranean Diet. #3 in Easiest Diets to Follow (tie) ...
  • Mayo Clinic Diet. #5 in Easiest Diets to Follow. ...
  • Volumetrics Diet. #6 in Easiest Diets to Follow. ...
  • MIND Diet. ...
  • Noom.


What is the minimum calories per day for a woman?

However, calorie intake should not fall below 1,200 a day in women or 1,500 a day in men, except under the supervision of a health professional. Eating too few calories can endanger your health by depriving you of needed nutrients.

Can you lose weight on 1200 calories a day without exercise?

If you stay hungry following a 1,200-calorie diet, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends increasing your caloric intake by 100 to 200 calories. As long as you maintain a calorie deficit, meaning that you're taking in less calories than you need for weight maintenance, you will continue to lose weight.


How many calories should I eat to drastically lose weight?

Low-Calorie Diet (LCD)

These diets usually allow about 1,000 to 1,200 calories a day for women and 1,200 to 1,600 calories a day for men. An LCD is a better choice than a VLCD for most people who want to lose weight quickly. But you should still be supervised by a provider.

What is a good example of a 1200 calorie diet?

The way I have been eating 1200 calories looks like this:
  • BREAKFAST: Eggs & Oats or toast 300-400 calories.
  • LUNCH: Salad with protein on top 300-400 calories.
  • SNACK/DESSERT: 200 calories.
  • DINNER: Protein and veggies 400-500 calories.


What is an example of a 1200 calorie a day diet?

Here is a sample diet plan and recipes you may follow if your target calorie intake is 1,200. One slice of whole-wheat bread with two teaspoons of jelly. Half a cup of shredded wheat or whole-grain cereal in a cup of one percent milk. This is followed by one cup of black coffee and one cup of orange juice.


Why do I feel hungry on 1200 calories?

Not eating enough

Once you consume fewer than 1000-1200 calories each day, as the body attempts to prevent long term starvation, intense hunger can result.

Why am I gaining weight when I barely eat?

Unintentional weight gain occurs when you put on weight without increasing your consumption of food or liquid and without decreasing your activity. This occurs when you're not trying to gain weight. It's often due to fluid retention, abnormal growths, constipation, or pregnancy.

What age is peak weight?

In summary, Women are the strongest between 26 and 37 years of age. Men are the strongest between 26 and 35 years of age. But of course there are individual differences between athletes and some people peak before or after that age window.


How to speed up metabolism?

Here are 9 easy ways to increase your metabolism.
  1. Eat plenty of protein at every meal. Eating food can temporarily increase your metabolism for a few hours. ...
  2. Drink more water. ...
  3. Do a high intensity workout. ...
  4. Lift heavy things. ...
  5. Stand up more. ...
  6. Drink green tea or oolong tea. ...
  7. Eat spicy foods. ...
  8. Get a good night's sleep.


How many calories is starvation mode?

If you drastically slash calories and are eating a very low-calorie diet (Think: less than 1,000 calories for women and less than 1,200 calories for men), “starvation mode” can actually be starvation. Starvation from chronic undereating can be counterproductive to weight loss and dangerous to your health.

Can eating too little cause weight gain?

Eating too few calories can be the start of a vicious cycle that causes diet distress. When you cut your calories so low that your metabolism slows and you stop losing weight, you probably will become frustrated that your efforts are not paying off. This can lead you to overeat and ultimately gain weight.


What happens if I don't eat enough calories?

If you're not getting enough calories, chances are you're not getting enough vitamins and minerals either. Nutritional deficiencies may cause a long list of health complications including, but not limited to, anemia, infertility, bone loss, poor dental health and decreased thyroid function.

Is 15 lbs noticeable weight loss?

Is a 15 lb weight loss noticeable? On average, a 15 to 20-pound loss (approximately 2 to 5 percent of your starting body weight) is enough to notice "significant changes in your body," he said. You can start seeing differences in yourself as early as two weeks with rapid weight loss.