Extreme diet plans can create health problems and are usually not a good idea, but if you are extremely overweight, traditional weight-loss plans might not be sufficient. Medically supervised very-low-calorie liquid diets can be effective in those who are extremely obese. Liquid diets combined with exercise and behavioral modification classes provide the best results with regard to weight loss. Consult your doctor or medically accredited weight-loss center regarding a liquid diet.
Liquid Diets
Medically supervised liquid diets consist primarily of protein and carbohydrate shakes or supplements in the form of liquids, such as soups or purees. They also contain added minerals, vitamins, and electrolytes. The number of calories you consume is limited and will vary depending on the requirements of the medical center. For example, the weight management program at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center prescribes less than 1,000 calories per day.
Additional Treatment
The best medically supervised diets include support programs such as exercise recommendations and classes that teach you healthy habits to keep the weight off once you have reached your weight-loss goal. Programs such as those at the University South Western University and University of California Irvine offer additional medical supervision, such as consults with physicians, nurses and dietitians, and tests to check your blood, heart rate and overall body composition. This is especially important if you have health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Modified Programs
Some programs, including those offered by Southwestern Medical Center and the University of California Irvine, offer modified diets for those with a medical condition that prevents them from doing the liquid diet, are uncomfortable with the liquid diet, or don't need to lose that much weight. The calorie limits in modified diets are often higher and solid food is included as part of the regimen. Because the weight loss won't be as rapid, medical tests and visits may be less frequent or not included.
Results
Correctly following a supervised liquid diet program leads to an average weight loss of two to five pounds per week. If you are consuming a modified program with higher calorie consumption that includes eating small amounts of solid food, you can expect to lose between 1 and 2 pounds a week.
Considerations
Rapid weight loss has risks. Consuming less than 1,500 calories a day for men and 1,200 for women can potentially lead to starvation and damage to the organs. Consuming a liquid diet without supervision or without reasonable followup plans for diet and exercise can lead to binge eating, which often leads to weight gain. When following a very-low-calorie liquid diet, medical supervision can help avoid the risks involved with the resulting rapid weight loss.
References
- Vanderbilt University Psychology Department; Liquid Diets: Safe And Effective?; Elizabeth Hemphill
- University of Iowa Hospitals And Clinics: Fasting And Liquid Diets
- University of California Irvine HealthCare: Weight Management Program
- MedLinePlus: Tips for Losing Weight
- SouthWesternUniversity: Liquid Protein Diet Program
Member Comments