I’m not looking for medical advice, just looking for what people consider low-fat.
Backstory:
Recently, I found out (the hard way) that I have a gallstone. I will not be going in to have my gallbladder removed until February of next year. I was told to eat right and exercise. Fine, I keep an eye on my fats, cholesterol, sugars, etc. Most of my food is either fresh, leafy greens, or proclaims in big, happy lettering “fat free!” or “low fat!” (yes, I keep an eye on the sugars in those low/no fat foods) or even “sugar free!” I eat small meals throughout the day. I “graze”.
I eat about 1200 calories a day, at the high end. I’m 5’7" and about 10 lbs overweight. I exercisse an hour or more each day.
I’ve been cutting back on fats for about a month - I haven’t eaten over 10g per day, I usually stay under 5g of fat, and scant amounts of saturated fats (if any at all, some days). I haven’t lost any inches (though I have lost some weight, but that’s almost certainly water weight), and the past two days I have been feeling vaguely nauseated and dizzy.
Obviously, I am going to see the doctor about the sicky feeling and the dizziness. But it makes me wonder if I am being too severe? I’m not going to run out and get a bucket of fried chicken or anything, but I wonder if I should increase some of my “good fats”. I was given a list of things I should eat, and foods I should avoid, and I do avoid those foods, and eat the good foods. But how much of those good foods should I be eating? I think I may be eating too little. But that’s for the doctor to tell me for sure.
All that just to ask this measely little question: In a 1200 calorie diet, for a female, how many grams of fat per day is “low fat”? Is it possible to eat too little fat?
You need to pay attention to calories from fat–anything less than 30% of your total intake is considered a low-fat diet. That means you should be getting about 360 or fewer calories from fat per day. I’m not a nutritionist, but it sounds to me like your levels are a bit too low, and your body is trying to tell you that. Add some nuts, fish, or another “good” fat for a few days and see if the dizzyness subsides. I’m betting it would.
Yeah, I’d be more concerned with your lack of food intake than your lack of fat intake. Try bumping that up to 1500 calories/day and avoiding processed food.
Yeek! “Eat right” does not mean 1200 calories and 5 grams of fat! That’s called “starving yourself”!
When you go to your doctor, you could get a referral for a nutritionist who can help you work out a reasonable diet, tailored to help you with your gall bladder problems.
Obviously, my intention was never to starve myself! :eek: But here I am. No one gave me any numbers - I know there are no absolutes, but I needed a metre stick, or something. After the near-crippling pain of the attack, I was so frightened of it happening again, and apparently I went overboard. I kept thinking it was better to have too little than too much. I’ve changed my mind on *that * school of thought. I feel awful. And of course, no weight has come off, since I’ve been starving myself. Some days I thought I’d gained an inch, and if I did, well, it’s no surprise, now.
I will call my doctor today and ask about a nutritionist. As for today, I will raise my caloric intake and ease into more good fats.
Thanks again, all, like I said, I just needed a metre stick, and now I can see that I have been far too strict.
Yeah, you’ve probably kicked your body into starvation mode, which has reduced your metabolism, and that’s why you haven’t been losing any weight.
Good luck with the nutritionist! Ask lots of questions and don’t be shy about sharing your likes and dislikes. He or she can can be a really big help in finding the right diet for your lifestyle and your health.