I am not trying to be rude but if your mother is a doctor and she is referencing starvation mode for anyone over 10% body fat, she needs to go back to school or read up some more on the medical study that started this whole mania. I do forgive my adopted (almost) home state of Minnesota for starting that nonsense even though it bugs the crap out of me how people abuse the study and are too lazy to read the facts. Rant over, carry on.

I agree that some people can do ok on 1000 calories. . Very obese or short people. I am average height 5'4. 40 pounds to lose. So, yes, I vote 100% yours knows what he is talking about!

yep lol

Ya, my DR told me to stick to 1400 cals because I have a BMI of 30 or I could go to 1200 even. I'm not paying attention to it. I strength training hard and eat 2400 to fuel my body. By her standards this is basically enough for 2 people, Lolz. I just politely pointed out that my blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol are all at great levels. Sadly Doctors don't know much about nutrition

I might have been a bit zealous in my advice, but I'll admit, I found your reply to be really rather rude, despite your preface of "not trying to be rude." So, I'm not trying to pick a fight, but could you not say things like my mother needs to go back to school? I understand the point if you suggest she needs to more on the subject and possibly read up some more, but please.
:(

^LOL. Win.

Doctors are pretty clueless when it comes to nutrition. You should really ask a dietician.


They really aren't nutrition specialists. That's where RDs come in.

If it makes you feel better, I saw an Endocrinologist (who treats diabetes, etc) and he fumbled around discussing how many calories = a pound. He said 4500 instead of the correct answer of 3500. Nonetheless, I think he's a good Endo. He's not an expert in nutrition any more than an OB is. Any physician worth his/her weight (no pun intended) should refer you to a Registered Dietician. Have your PCP refer you. Dieticians are generally very down-to-earth and very helpful.

I don't know how I missed this response!

I know, I am surprised he didn't send me to GNC for Raspberry Ketones (or whatever they are)

The idea that doctors are not as likely to be idiots as anyone else troubles me...

They are human interfaces to a huge pool of knowledge, like a human wikipedia if you like. Or they were when they graduated. Keeping up after that point is purely an individual thing, and just like in every other jobs, Fridays happen, life happens, being bored happens, and being truly good is as exceptional in medical field as anywhere else.

Good thing that student was there too. They still have pressure and evaluations, and passion too. I'd trust an intern medical student over his mentor mostly any day :p

My endocrinologist has a nutritionist on staff. Find someone like that.

Where in the world do you see a suggestion of starvation mode in the post you quoted?

I'm guessing it's the part where the phrase starvation mode is mentioned. =)

EDIT: bolded it.

I don't think an OB Gyn is necessarily an ideal authority on issues of diet and exercise. Sure, he's a doctor but this isn't his specialty or niche per se. I would imagine a dietitian or nutritionist would be a better person to speak with.

What would I do?! Laugh in his face probably!

The advice was terrible. That's the point. EVERYBOD Y should know that netting 500-600 calories is danderous. . Shouldn't he know the basics?

He counsels pregnant women and women TTC about diet. That's what they do, it's not just birth control and paps.

I did. I told him I was going to stick to my plan. Which may not be working great but I am healthy.

Def get a second opinion. A doctor might recommend a very low calorie diet with supervision if you have a lot to lose or special medical needs, but the big red flag for me is him not allowing for day-to-day variations. If you have any doubts, see a different doctor in a different practice.

I dated three doctors, two were idiots.

Exactly! Especially the weight variances women have due to hormones. His advice was down right scary. I have absolutely no medical issues besides being 40lbs overweight. There is NO reason for me to go a VLCD.

Time for a new doctor.

Why do so many people go to their doctors for nutrition advice??

As someone who's currently in school to become an RD ...... arrrgghhhhhhhh!!!!! Stop it!

Well, two of them must have been!

Lol. Why do doctors try to do the job of a dietitian?

It IS crazy, and "WE" wonder why there is an obesity ED in this Country. Look, these doctors DO NOT want to admit that they DO NOT know ANYTHING about Nutrition and Exercise...Hell, doctors don't like to admit that they do not know a lot about A LOT! A doctor told Me that they have ONE Elective class in their whole time in Med School on Nutrition, so WHY would we think that these people are experts when they DO NOT study specifically a particular area. I'm a lawyer, and if someone committed a crime and came to Me, I would be lost...it is NOT My area of expertise...I could tell the client to not say anything because I learned that in My first year Constitutional Law class. So why do we expect doctors to be experts in areas that they do not study. Actually, why would you ask this doctors about diet and exercise? He's there to diagnose your problem...asking him about "diet and exercise" put him on the spot and his EGO is not going to allow him to say, "I do not know...I'm ignorant on that subject." And those EGOs cause a MANY people to be harmed...As My doctor told Me when I wanted a procedure done and I felt like he should do it, "My OATH is First Do NO Harm" so until you lose some more weight, I won't do the procedure AND I will make an appt for you with our Weight Loss Clinic! At first I thought he was Arrogant...NOW I know he is Right!

You lost 5 pounds right? Slow and steady wins the race! And you will keep it off much easier that way, without being grumpy! Good luck