If there are any nutrition experts or knowledgeable doctors I would like to know what the minimum calory intake requirement would be for the following Specs: 1. Senior Adult(m & F); 2. Assume normal winter temperature to range from 30F to 50F; 3. Heating house will not be a problem; 4. Activity level would be at a minimum; 5. Assume you are trying to stretch food sources to the maximum. Normal recommendations appear to be 2000, but what if they are abnormal?

-- Neil G.Lewis (pnglewis1@yahoo.com), October 29, 1999

Answers

Neil,

I am a competitive distance runner w/ 10+ years' experience, but I'm no nutritionist, so take this for what it's worth:

Protein is far more important for your body than the carbo-loading fetish of the past decade would suggest. Sufficient protein keeps you alert, and ensures you will have reserve stores to keep your physical self in good repair.

Fat and carbohydrates are sympatico for giving you the warm fuzzies and building up bodily insulation.

I am generally healthier when I eat what I crave, and I notice that left to themselves, my small children eat the same way. No 'balance' between food groups in their daily intake, but instead a certain averaging out of protein/fat/carbs over a longer 1-2 wk span.

In terms of overall consumption levels, I think we can very quickly accustom ourselves to smaller amounts of food w/out feeling constantly hungry if we keep ourselves happy by following our cravings concerning the kinds of food we eat. These cravings will change, depending on what one's body needs at a given time. Let your hypothalamus be your guide.

-- don't anyone flame me w/ bad jokes about living on twinkies, ok?--

-- silver ion (ag3@interlog.com), October 30, 1999.

In general if you get less than about 1200 calories a day you will lose some muscle mass even if you get enough protein. I don't know about seniors but I would think that they are especially prone to losing muscle.

If you are on a low calorie diet you should be sure to get enough protein at each meal. Your body does not store it, so spreading it out through the day will do more good than eating it all at one meal.

Tuna and dry milk are about the cheapest and best sources of complete protein.

Enough fat, at least 15% of your calories, is also important. Very low fat diets weaken your immune system.

Lack of either fat or protein will also slow healing.

-- biker (y2kbiker@hotmail.com), October 30, 1999.

Silver Ion & Biker: Thanks for the info. I to was once a long distance runner and biker when stationed in California before retiring from the military in '79. Back in those "ancient" days the conventional wisdom was carboloading for racing. Can't do that now without expanding the waistline. Thanks again for the info!

-- Neil G.Lewis (pnglewis1@yahoo.com), October 30, 1999.

One of the best brief yet complete discussions on providing protein for the body is in this book: "Diet for a Small Planet" by Frances Moore Lappe

You have to wade through (or skip over) the long liberal politics part near the front, but the rest of the book is worth it. Also, the protein discussion includes good info on protein complementation (matching amino acids thru food selections at the same meal). This info is particularly useful IMHO for GIs who are having to rely mainly on staple foods for next year (due to budget/late start).

I touch a bit on this subject in the "Food" article on my website, but didn't attempt anything like Miss Lappe's piece.

www.y2ksafeminnesota.com

-- MinnesotaSmith (y2ksafeminnesota@hotmail.com), November 04, 1999.