Without meeting specific conditions, it's not possible to lose weight on a high-calorie diet, which provides more calories each day than a person of a certain weight and height would normally need. If the dieter is able to limit the foods he eats or burns more calories than he consumes, however, the high-calorie eating plan may be able to contribute to gradual weight loss.
Benefits
Losing weight on a high-calorie eating plan can provide just as many health benefits as losing weight with a more traditional low-calorie plan. Especially for overweight and obese people, shedding pounds through a healthy eating plan and regular exercise may reduce the risk of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cancer, bone and muscular problems and mental health conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Calories
MayoClinic.com states that 1 lb. is equivalent to about 3,500 calories, which means that it's necessary to burn or save that many calories to lose a single pound. On a diet that includes many high-calorie foods, weight loss won't occur unless a person is able to burn off the extra calories consumed or limit what they eat to small servings. Due to daily caloric intake, the progress with losing weight on a high-calorie plan is likely to be slower than progress on a low-calorie plan.
Diet
To slim down and get a trimmer, tighter figure on a high-calorie diet, it's necessary to seek out nutritious foods and avoid fatty and sugary items. MyPyramid recommends focusing on dairy products, lean proteins, vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Calorie-dense, nutritious items in those groups include granola, yogurt, beans, nuts, avocados, bananas, meat and fish.
Exercise
Vigorous, intense exercise will help people on high-calorie diets lose weight more rapidly and enjoy more health benefits. According to a 2008 study from the University of Vermont College of Medicine, people who participated in high-calorie expenditure exercise and burned between 3,000 and 3,500 calories per week lost double the weight as people who followed moderate exercise routines. MayoClinic.com names jogging, tae kwon do and rollerblading as examples of especially vigorous exercises that burn high numbers of calories.
Considerations
Before beginning any weight loss or diet plan, it's advisable to talk over plan details with a physician or other health care professional. Vigorous exercise can pose health risks to some people and may not be suitable for all weight loss candidates. Additionally, high-calorie diets can increase the risk of chronic disease and result in weight gain if they are not balanced or limited, so careful planning is required to get favorable weight loss results.
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