Very low calorie diet

Very low calorie diets (VLCD) are a type of diets offered by some medical centers and other health facilities. VLCD are usually claimed to be balanced and safe. A typical VLCD provides about 400-800 calories a day as a high protein formula containing sufficient vitamins and minerals. Some variations of VLCD include lean meat, fish or poultry, low-calorie vegetables and vitamin/mineral supplements.

When diligently followed, a very low calorie diet would usually produce a rapid weight loss. This may be psychologically important for those people who feel overwhelmed by the daunting task of losing tens of pounds. A rapid weight loss at the start may help overcome frustration and provide confidence and motivation for further efforts. However, VLCD are associated with significant health risks and should be used (if at all) only for the short-term and under close medical supervision. In fact, VLCD are not the optimal way to go for the majority of people trying to lose weight.

Here are some of the drawbacks of VLCD:

• VLCD are associated with a variety of side effects, including fatigue, lethargy, cold intolerance, low blood pressure, nausea, digestive problems and others.
• VLCD slow down metabolic rate. When a normal diet is resumed, metabolic rate may fail to completely return to normal, causing a person to gain more weight than they have lost.
• VLCD offer a short-term solution to a long-term problem. Unless a person also adopts healthy life style changes, the weight loss achieved on a VLCD will quickly evaporate.
• Rapid weight changes (whether loss or gain) may have negative health consequences.