Vegans and such. Quick Question?

Question

I hear that some vegans eat about 800-900 calories per day...and live a healthy life like this.

Sound legit?

I mean i think it sounds amazing.

Also another question.

I used to LOVE junk food...i have been eating soups and veggies and such for a while now, binged tonight and feel sick and full and i didn't even enjoy the junk.

Is it possible that i really don't like junk food anymore?

Thanks

Answer 1

Get a book on vegan nutrition and figure out what the caloric needs are for someone of your size and activity level. 800-900 isn't good for anyone. It shuts down the metabolism and when you increase your calories you pile on the weight! Your body thinks it's starving and conserves all the fat and calories it can.

I think one can develop an inability to fully digest saturated fats and such after a while without them. Celebrate! You don't like junk food! There are so many good things you can eat instead.

Answer 2

I hear that some people with eating disorders use being vegan as an excuse to restrict food.

I, personally, am not thin and I am a vegan.  I eat a lot of food.  If you eat beans, rice, nuts, nut butters, Ezekial bread, veggie burgers, etc. in excess of what your body needs, it's even possible to become obese.

Also, I drink alcohol which is very calorie dense.

Answer 3

If they lived an incredibly sedentary lifestyle watching TV all day maybe they could live off that but on average I eat about 2500~3500 calories. I wouldnt be able to work at all on 900 calories per day (I work at UPS carrying boxes all day)

Answer 4

No, that's not legit. Your calorie intake has to match your use or you will start to consume your own body for fuel. That's a simple fact of any diet, your body needs adequate fuel. So either those vegans have not yet experienced the effects, or they are somehow misstating their calorie intake.

Answer 5

No, doesn't sound remotely legit.  Anything less than 1200-1400 calories per day puts your body into starvation mode and all but the most essential body functions slow down or shut down to preserve energy for the brain, the circulatory system and the respiratory system.

I know there are people who practice extreme calorie limitation under the belief that it will prolong their lives, but I think even they are in the 1100-1200 range.  And these people have to take extreme care to meet their nutritional needs with such little intake.  The science behind it is based on rat studies and anecdotal human evidence (since designing a human trial that would put the subjects' health at risk would be unethical.)  Therefore anyone undertaking this lifestyle is doing it at their own risk.  I can't imagine what about this "sounds amazing" to you unless you mean you're just amazed that anyone would want to put themselves through that...

It's really possible that your body is reacting to the junk you're putting in it negatively because you've gotten it used to digesting good food.  It doesn't mean you can never eat junk food again, but limiting it is a good idea for a lot of reasons, so...

Answer 6

It all depends on the type of vegan you are-healthy or unhealthy. Only you know what your body needs, and you probably shouldn't make the switch until you consult your doctor.

You should be vegan for your own reasons, not because it's a low calorie diet. I think you have some research to do judging by the types of questions you answer on your profile. Just be smart about it. Don't do it because it's "cool".

Answer 7

Hey :)

Congratulations on making the switch! I noticed this too when I went vegan. Veganism is a naturally healthier lifestyle, and I became so used to eating healthy that I no longer like junk food, vegan or otherwise, because it's just not healthy and it doesn't taste good to me anymore. I simply don't desire it.

Humans (and other animals too) like what is familiar to them. For example, if you like a certain genre of music, then listen to another genre for awhile, you will develop a liking for that new genre of music. And, when you change your diet to a healthier one, you begin to like that new healthy diet as it becomes familiar to you. Not only do you begin to like feeling healthy, you also begin to love the taste of healthy foods!

I used to think I didn't like vegetables, but now I think they taste great and it's difficult for me to imagine not liking them. I eat them all the time and can't get enough.

Enjoy your new happy and healthy lifestyle! You're sure to love it. Not to mention it's a great feeling knowing you're doing the right thing for the animals.

Answer 8

800 to 900 calories is not enough. Most people require an average of 2000 calories per day for basic bodily functions.

Answer 9

Sorry, you are thinking of people with eating disorders, not vegan people.

I don't know how you managed to get them confused.

======================

No, sorry, I'm vegan and anyone that eats 800-900 calories a day is nurturing an eating disorder.

PS I can see your ribs in your avatar.

Answer 10

Well i'm vegan and I usually don't keep tabs on my calorie count. I just eat when i'm hungry so it changes daily!

Answer 11

Anyone, vegan or not, who routinely or regularly eats 800-900 calories a day has an eating disorder.

Even for lying in bed all day not moving, more calories than this are required, even in a very small person.

Vegans require the same number of calories as anybody else. It is not possible to live a healthy, even moderately active life on such a low intake of food.

And it is storing up problems for later in life, as when the body is given so little nourishment it assumes there is a famine and the weight loss that occurs is the shedding of lean muscle. Meanwhile the body stores fat to protect itself against this famine. Overweight and difficulty losing excess weight in later life becomes more likely.

To recap - anyone who is healthy and active and tells you they consume only 900 calories a day is lying. And anyone who consumes only 900 calories a day is dying.

I'm vegan by the way.