How to Follow a Low-Calorie Diet

How to Follow a Low-Calorie Diet
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Following a low-calorie diet can be easy if you keep a few principles of healthy eating in mind. A calorie is a unit of energy found in food that gives your body energy to function. Taking in too many calories, however, can cause weight gain and increase your risk for chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea and certain cancers. Choosing to follow a low-calorie diet will keep you at a healthy weight and reduce your risks for disease.

Step 1

Determine how many calories you should eat per day. Begin by determining how much you want to weigh. Take your desired weight and multiply it by 10 to determine how many calories you should intake per day.

Step 2

Reduce your portion sizes to lower your daily caloric intake. Choose to eat food on a saucer-sized plate instead of a full-sized plate. This simple change can reduce your total caloric intake by one-third to one-half.

Step 3

Choose low-calorie foods, such as fruits and vegetables. They are low in calories but high in fiber. High-fiber foods help you feel full longer after eating because they take longer to digest. Set a goal to eat at least five servings per day of fruits and vegetables.

References

Article reviewed by Helen Covington Last updated on: Feb 20, 2011

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