Most people know that weight loss is based on how many calories you eat and how many you expend each day. Reducing your calorie intake can help you to shed excess weight, but eating a low-calorie diet without medical supervision can be unhealthy and even dangerous. Consult your physician before starting a new diet and to understand what calorie restrictions are best for you.
Features
A low-calorie diet is based on restricting the number of calories you eat per day. This might be necessary for someone that is extremely overweight. In these cases your doctor will recommend the diet and provide all of the guidelines for safely following it. Other times, individuals may embark on this diet in an attempt to lose weight. Traditionally calories are limited to between 800 and 1,500 calories.
Significance
When you limit the number of calories you eat, you can alter your metabolism. Your metabolism is affected by genetics, activity level and diet. When you slow down your intake of food you send a signal to your metabolism that it can also slow down. When you resume your normal diet you will likely see weight gain. This comes from the shift in your metabolism. Now that your metabolism is reduced and you are eating more, your body will begin to store excess fat.
Potential
The Weight-Control Information Network says that weight regain is common after a low calorie diet but behavior modifications can be helpful. Eat a diet that includes an adequate amount of nutrient-dense calories and participate in physical activity everyday to maintain permanent weight loss. Nutrient-dense calories come from foods that have less than 400 calories per serving, no trans or saturated fat and are high in minerals, antioxidants and vitamins. Foods like vegetables, grains, fruits, dairy and protein are all examples of nutrient-dense foods.
Warning
Starting a very-low-calorie diet without medical supervision can be dangerous to your health. The diet can also be dangerous if it is used for long periods of time or longer than the doctor recommends. Limiting your calories will also naturally limit the amount of fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals your body gets each day. According to the Weight-Control Information Network, eating a low-calorie diet can cause fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and gallstone formation.
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