although I'm just beginning, I was also curious about this because my calories vary from 1200-1500 (pre-exercise which takes 150-300 more cal out) .

I felt that 1200 was on the low side but couldn't eat anything more on those days. So I felt that if I needed to eat to keep out of starvation mode, I would, but if 1200/day is ok (before subtracting exercise) then I'll leave it as is.