There's a Limit to Cutting Calories

In our fast paced society, the Very-Low-Calorie Diet (VLCD) is quickly becoming the chosen fad or method of weight loss. It even comes with a guarantee of shedding those unwanted pounds yesterday.

Extreme measures of weight loss may be warranted and prescribed during a medical crisis. This would be understandable. However, applying drastic weight loss methods for the everyday person may not be safe or healthy. 

Many very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs) are now being covered by insurance plans. This has made it even more appealing for people to sign on the dotted line. Not usually understood is only part of the VLCD program may be covered by insurance. The diet shakes are the largest part of the VLCD and a costly pay-out-of-pocket product.

Be cautious about any diet making unrealistic weight loss claims. Extreme weight loss programs may severely restrict food intake and recommend drinking shakes in lieu of eating. Studies on very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs) do show rapid weight loss but not without adverse health risks. According to other research, once the VLCD plan is completed, the weight is gained back plus more. These starvation type diets are very risky and should only be tried with a doctor's supervision. You have to take supplements and your doctor will know what you need. No one should never go below 1000 calories for more than a couple of day and only if you eat whole foods like meat and vegetables. 

The human body requires nutrients from lean proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Proper portions of these macronutrients are essential for good health. Individual calorie requirements will differ per person based on overall lifestyle and activity levels. This is where your doctor comes in. He'll know how much to cut your calories. I recommend tracking your daily calories for two weeks to try and find a pattern in your eating and find a way to cut your calories without cutting the amount of food your eating.

Personally, I think these diets extreme diets should be avoided. I always recommend going vegetarian for a couple of weeks. During that time buy some protein powder at the grocery store to supplement your required amount. Get plant protein while going vegetarian and the 3rd week or 4th week eat some seafood and chicken breasts. After one week eating some meat or seafood (about 4 oz. a day), go back to the vegetarian diet for a couple more weeks. While on the vegetarian diet, be careful of dairy. Dairy is high in animal fat and can add body fat. I stick to "plain Greek yogurt", that's my only dairy. You can add fresh fruit like berries. On a mostly vegetarian diet, you don't have to count calories. Just avoid bingeing. I eat small quantities about 5 times a day and I don't add sugar and only very little salt (sea salt). One more thing, don't drink calories except for your protein shakes, don't drink anything with calories.

A sedentary person would require much less in caloric intake compared to a marathon runner for example. Regardless of lifestyle, the human body needs calories from the major food groups to function at optimum levels and to be healthy. Very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs) can restrict essential nutrients and place a person at risk for adverse effects and health issues.

Energy needs for a body at rest (Basal Metabolic Rate) remain fairly consistent and responsible for seventy percent of calories burned each day. To calculate your basal metabolic rate, multiply ten calories for each pound of bodyweight for a woman and eleven calories for a man.

A 130lb woman would burn 1300 calories at rest per day. More energy is required for digestion and absorption (thermogenesis) ranging from one to eight hundred additional calories per day. Physical activity calories also offer the largest variable per person demanding even more caloric intake. Don't over-estimate your activity. One hour of heart-pumping exercise will only burn about 300 calories, even if you're experienced at a strenuous workout.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, a woman should consume no less than 1200 calories per day and a man no less than 1800 calories. Also indicated extreme caloric restrictions signals the body to conserve calories and significantly reduces our metabolic rate. Very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs) allow for consumption of only 500-800 calories per day and places the body into self-starvation.

Very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs) require a person to be under the care of a physician due to possible health risks.

Some adverse effects may include fatigue, dizziness, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, and increased overall cholesterol. Research has indicated more serious health effects may include gallstone development.

Very-low-calorie diets(VLCDs) promise rapid weight loss but not a lifestyle of keeping it off. Studies show weight loss with VLCDs is commonly regained once the program is completed. Participants are not learning how to eat healthily or exercise consistently.

The safest way to lose weight is implementing healthy methods. Nutrition and fitness education is important. Learn how to buy and prepare healthy foods and include a regular exercise program. It will be proper nutrition and exercise knowledge allowing life long sustainable weight loss.

Instead of overspending on packaged shakes for a temporary fix, a better investment plan would be to locate a qualified personal trainer and/or certified nutritionist. They will be able to offer substantially more quality education for a lifetime of good health.

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