- How Effective Are Very Low-Calorie Diets?
- Are Very Low-Calorie Diets Safe?
- What are the side effects of very-low-calorie diets?
- What are the other drawbacks to very low-calorie diets?
A very low-calorie eating plan is an option for some people to lose weight quickly.
Commercially made formulas with 800 calories or less are used to replace the foods you normally eat. Some diets, like the popular grapefruit diet, rely on eating the same foods or low-calorie foods.
The very low-calorie diets that you can buy in the store are different from meal replacements, which you use to replace one or two of your daily meals.
How Effective Are Very Low-Calorie Diets?
A very low-calorie eating plan can result in weight loss between 3 and 5 pounds per week, equivalent to an average of 44 pounds lost over 12 weeks.
Even if you lose 5% of your weight, it can improve certain medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood cholesterol, and high blood pressure. In the long run, however, low-calorie diets don’t work as well as modest diets. After you stop a diet, you must change your lifestyle and commit to a healthy eating plan and regular physical activity.
Are Very Low-Calorie Diets Safe?
Diets with very low calories are not suitable for everyone. Many people who are on very low-calorie diets require vitamin and mineral supplements in order to get the proper nutrition. Speak to your doctor about whether this type of diet is right for you.
When used under medical supervision, very low-calorie dieting is generally safe for people with BMIs greater than 30. However, it is only recommended for overweight but not obese people with a BMI between 27 and 30.
Diets with very low calories are not suitable for pregnant or nursing women, teens, or children except for those in special treatment programs. These diets may also not be suitable for those over 50, depending on whether they need to take medication for pre-existing health conditions or if there are any side effects.
What are the side effects of very-low-calorie diets?
People who follow a low-calorie diet report minor side effects, such as constipation and nausea. These side effects usually subside within a few days and do not prevent people from finishing the program.
Gallstones are the most serious side effect that can occur from very low-calorie dieting. Gallstones occur more often when rapid weight loss is occurring. When there is a deficit of calories, the body begins to use fat as energy. The liver secretes additional cholesterol, which, when combined with bile, can lead to gallstones.
What are the other drawbacks to very low-calorie diets?
You need to eat a variety of food from various food groups in order to be healthy. A very low-calorie intake makes it difficult to feel satisfied and get the nutrition you need. Even consuming 800 calories per day may not provide you with the energy required for everyday living and physical activity.
Speak to your doctor about ensuring you are getting the nutrition you need on a low-calorie diet.
