The minimum daily caloric intake is 1,200 for women and 1,800 for men. However, hunger calories are less than 600 calories a day; any caloric intake below the minimum recommended does not give the body fuel, which it needs to operate properly. A hunger diet does not encourage weight loss because your metabolism slows down due to low caloric intake. Moreover, it is unsustainable and dangerous because hunger and severe side effects are associated with this food plan.