More than one-fourth of people in the United States describe themselves as obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So it's no surprise that weight-loss diets abound. A high-protein liquid shakes diet for weight loss represents a fairly extreme approach, but may work in some cases, according to Vanderbilt University.
Significance
The mechanics of weight loss are simple: to lose 1 lb., you need to burn 3,500 more calories than you consume by eating. In most cases, high-protein liquid shake diets accomplish this by severely restricting calories to between 400 and 800 calories a day, according to Vanderbilt University. Compare that to the more normal 2,000 to 2,200 calorie-per-day intake for most Americans, and you can see how you might lose weight on a high-protein liquid shake diet.
Function
To follow a high-protein liquid shake diet, you'll consume three to four shakes each day, one each for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and possibly one as a snack, according to Vanderbilt University. Each shake contains a set number of calories and protein, plus added vitamins and minerals so that you don't become nutritionally deficient.
Effects
The high-protein liquid shake diet works because it removes you from meals completely, limiting temptation to cheat or eat more than you should, according to Vanderbilt University. Because of the diet's extreme calorie restriction, you can expect to lose between 3 and 4 lbs. each week. Some liquid shake programs recommend that you eat only the shakes for three months, and then taper off to two and then one per day while gradually adding food back in.
Considerations
To be effective, high-protein liquid shake diets should combine the diet with behavioral modification classes and counseling, according to Vanderbilt University. Otherwise, you'll stand an excellent chance of gaining back everything you've lost, as 95 percent of dieters do. Although many high-protein liquid diet shakes provide a full day's supply of vitamins and minerals, you still risk feeling sluggish while following this diet, and may suffer from some effects of super-low calorie intake, such as headaches and constipation.
Warning
The East Carolina School of Medicine recommends high-protein liquid shake diets only for obese or overweight patients who need to break bad habits and require structure in their weight-loss plan. However, the diet isn't for everyone; it's possible for people who are not very overweight to lose too much lean muscle tissue on this type of diet, potentially leading to dangerous cardiac arrhythmias, according to Vanderbilt University. If you're considering a high-protein liquid shake diet, you should consult first with your physician, and only choose a product that provides a full complement of vitamins and minerals each day.
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