The term “starvation mode” is often misunderstood and exaggerated—but there is some truth to it,

Here’s the real deal:

🔻 Your metabolism does slow down when you eat very little, but not instantly or drastically.

This is called adaptive thermogenesis—your body conserves energy to protect against what it sees as a threat (like famine).
It becomes more efficient, burning fewer calories at rest.

🍽️ But “starvation mode” doesn’t mean you stop losing weight entirely.

If you're in a calorie deficit, you'll still lose weight—but it might slow down over time, especially if your body starts breaking down muscle.

⏳ This effect is stronger when:

You're eating far too few calories for an extended period.
You’ve lost a lot of weight already.
You’re under stress, sleeping poorly, or over-exercising.

🛠️ How to avoid the extreme slowdown:

Don’t slash calories too aggressively.
Prioritize protein and strength training to preserve muscle.
Take refeed days or diet breaks during long cuts.
Get enough sleep and manage stress.

In short: “Starvation mode” won’t stop fat loss—but it can make it harder and slower if you're too extreme for too long. Your body’s just trying to survive.