Ummmmm no. Just keep your fat intake up.

Why fat? The brain runs exclusively on glucose.

So far as I can tell, my fat intake is normal... about half my calories from carbs, a quarter from protein, another quarter from fat. That's a rough estimate because some days I want more of one kind or the other. I think I get a lot of fat from salad dressings, actually. Those fat-free ones are just disgusting... give me a nice vinaigrette any day.

I don't think it actually lowers your IQ but it definitely will negatively affect your ability to do certain things..especially academics.. mostly due to the lack of concentration and energy, as you have discovered. If you eat more your grades may improve. for the last few days of finals this year I ate more and I am pretty sure that helped me a lot. I will go back to losing once I go home =)

That's unpossible!

How tall are you? It sounds like you may be getting hypoglycemic during the day.  When your blood sugar drops so does your concentration.  Try bringing small bags of snacks, and nibbling throughout the day...at least every 2 hours.

I do think you would have less energy or lack of concentration if your intake would be too low but I think you're definitely eating a good amount of calories so I don't think you have to go back to you old bad eating habits. You should keep consuming 1800 cals and good quality and healthy foods.

5'3".

Realistically, my "old ways" weren't actually that bad--I was just eating, apparently, about 50 calories too much per day. It's just when you keep that up for ten years that things start to add up...

The brain is made up of more than 25% fatty tissue. Fats in the brain play an incredibly important role in the release and binding of neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers that talk to each other. Dietary fats (the right ones) help your brain function properly and help you stay focused. Sounds like you are getting enough fat though. ;-)

Yup.

And studiest have shown that intelligent women have larger asses. Something to consider.

Original Post by hgielrehtaeh:

Yup.

And studiest have shown that intelligent women have larger asses. Something to consider.

Yessssssssssss! I must be very, very, intelligent!

While I agree with the suggestions about blood sugar and calories, I also wonder if you're so preoccupied with your new eating habits that you are simply in a transition period and lost track of your academic priorities? 

I mean that's how we get unhealthy habits in the first place, because we have other priorities and eating "whatever" is easier.  When you consciously change your life habits, other stuff gets turned around. 

That's what's happened in my life, but for the better.  I'm changing my priorities and perceptions. 

Am taking a multivitamin daily... I drink more now, I think. About... hmm, two quarts of liquid of one sort or another, not counting morning coffee. I can always tell if I'm dehydrated because I get a tension headache.

I'm going back up to 2000 calories... There is no way I'll pass these classes if I'm constantly distracted. And there's been about five different studies that show that overweight isn't dangerous if you're healthy, so yeah... just screw this "starving myself" thing.

lol..its different for me..when i'm full,i couldn't study at all..like i'm an idiot.but when i'm hungry.i can easily remember stuff..weird huh?

Hm. That's odd. I feel like my concentration has gotten better as I've been losing weight and getting in shape. Now, true, this might be because I'm eating roughly the same amount of calories, and simply exercising more. (Or at least, I think I am: I didn't really know what a calorie was until I joined this site over two years ago!).

Are you working out? I find that getting my heart rate up (running for me) about 30 mins to an hour 5 days a week really helps my academic performance. And good thing, too: I'm finishing up my PhD!

I'm 5'3 as well and eat about 1400-2000 cals depending on how much running I do in a day.

Original Post by chaoticidealism:

I'm going back up to 2000 calories... There is no way I'll pass these classes if I'm constantly distracted. And there's been about five different studies that show that overweight isn't dangerous if you're healthy, so yeah... just screw this "starving myself" thing.

I just read this above bit after I posted.

And in an effot to help, I wanted to point out that that's a false dichotomy, chaoticidealism: it's not a choice between the two extremes of being overweight and starving yourself. There is (at least) a third option...

Why not try starting with 1900 cals and work your way down to 1800 slowly? Or stagger your cals througout the day? Or burn the extra 50 cals you say you were eating everyday by walking a little bit? What's true of the gain will be true of the loss--if you keep it up for ten years, things start to add up (only it will add up to your weight loss, not weight gain!).

is this a serious question...

Original Post by chaoticidealism:

Am taking a multivitamin daily... I drink more now, I think. About... hmm, two quarts of liquid of one sort or another, not counting morning coffee. I can always tell if I'm dehydrated because I get a tension headache.

I'm going back up to 2000 calories... There is no way I'll pass these classes if I'm constantly distracted. And there's been about five different studies that show that overweight isn't dangerous if you're healthy, so yeah... just screw this "starving myself" thing.

 Lol, I serioulsy doubt that you be "starving yourself" with 1800 cals a day lol.

And about the five studies you mentioned, if somene is overweight (or underweight) couldn't be healthy at all, the balance is the answer, having a healthy weight and a healthy life.