The therapeutic lifestyle changes, or TLC, diet emphasizes an eating plan low in saturated fat and trans fat and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and low-fat dairy products. TLC was created in an effort to help lower cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease. The diet is recommended for people who have high cholesterol levels, coronary artery disease, diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and other cardiovascular disorders.
History
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute originally created diets called the Step I and Step II diets to help patients reduce blood cholesterol levels. The Step I diet restricted total fat to 30 percent of calories and saturated fat to 10 percent of calories and was intended for people with high cholesterol levels. The Step II diet restricted saturated fat to 7 percent and cholesterol to less than 200mg per day. The Step II diet was created for high-risk patients or those who already experienced a heart attack. The TLC diet combines guidelines from both the Step I and Step II diets and was developed in 2001. The Step I and Step II diets are no longer used.
Recommendations
Most of the recommendations given for the TLC diet are based on individual calorie intake, while the recommendations provided for sodium and cholesterol are constant. Those on the TLC diet should consume less than 200mg of cholesterol per day and no more than 2,400mg of sodium per day. Total fat should contribute 25 to 35 percent of daily calories and saturated fat should contribute no more than 7 percent. Any foods with trans fat should be eliminated. You should also consume just enough calories to maintain a healthy weight, without adding extra pounds.
Individualization
Specific calorie needs are based on individual height, weight, age, sex and activity level. Men between 19 and 30 require 2,400 to 3,000 calories and men between 31 and 50 require 2,200 to 3,000 calories based on their activity level. Women between 19 and 30 need 2,000 to 2,400 calories and women between 31 and 50 need 1,800 to 2,200 calories, based on activity level.
Definitions of Activity Levels
The TLC diet classifies activity level as light, moderate or heavy. Light activity includes light housework, light walking, golf, sailing, desk work and trade work. Moderate activity consists of strenuous housework, skiing, biking, dancing, running and tennis. Heavy activity includes construction work, football, soccer, climbing and walking uphill.
Considerations
If your blood cholesterol levels are not significantly lowered on the original TLC diet plan, your doctor may recommend increasing your soluble fiber intake as well as the addition of cholesterol-lowering foods, such as plant sterol esters, notes the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. If these changes are still not sufficient, you may need to incorporate cholesterol-lowering medications in addition to diet changes.
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