The Biggest Loser Diet is intended to help a person lose weight, lower his cholesterol, decrease his blood pressure and increase his energy level. The diet recommends four cups of fruits and vegetables, three cups of protein, four slices of whole-grain bread and 200 calories from the "extra" group. The diet also recommends to reduce calories eaten daily, by 10, for every pound of weight lost. The diet is divided into four to six meals per day, and six to eight glasses of water. Followers are advised to avoid caffeine and simple sugars. The diet also encourages 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily.
Low Calories
The Biggest Loser Diet recommends calories ranging from 1050 and 1400. This caloric level is not healthy for the majority of the population, even for weight loss purposes. Since the diet recommends shedding 10 calories for each pound lost, a person starting at the 1050 diet could easily be eating less than 1,000 calories per day with only 5 pounds lost.
According to the American Dietetic Association, "It is not recommended to consume fewer than 1,200 calories per day because it becomes difficult to obtain the necessary vitamins and nutrients needed for daily activities. In addition, when fewer than 1,200 calories per day are consumed, the body is put into a semi-starvation mode, which tends to lower basal metabolic rate and fat-burning capability."
Low Carbohydrates
The level of carbohydrates on the Biggest Loser Diet may not be enough to sustain energy for most people. The American Dietetic Association recommends 45 to 65 percent of calories from carbohydrates. The Biggest Loser Diet provides 30 to 40 percent.
Carbohydrates are the sole source of energy for the brain. In addition, carbohydrates are the primary fuel for the body during exercise. Without enough carbohydrates a person may feel sluggish, lethargic, have a hard time concentrating, and not perform at her maximum level physically. Performing hour-long daily workouts, as recommended by the diet, may have a greater negative effect with a low-carbohydrate diet.
Vitamins and Minerals
With such a low caloric level, The Biggest Loser Diet may lack essential vitamins and minerals, according to the American Dietetic Association. Vitamins and minerals help body functions run smoothly. Deficiencies can decrease energy; increase infections and illness, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, bleeding disorders and fatigue; and cause an inability to regulate body temperature. The American Dietetic Association recommends taking a multivitamin with any diet containing fewer than 1,200 calories.
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