Recommended Diet For The Morbidly Obese

Doctors define morbid obesity as a body mass index of 30 or more. When you are morbidly obese, you are at an increased risk for developing myriad chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, some cancers and arthritis. Morbid obesity also affects how your body absorbs oxygen. Many morbidly obese people suffer from oxygen deprivation, especially during sleep. When you are morbidly obese, it is essential that you lose weight to take control over your health.

Your Dieting Plan

The most effective diet for a morbidly obese person may be a plan that begins with very low calories and transitions into a moderate deficit diet. A very low-calorie diet jumpstarts your weight loss goals, leading to dramatic weight loss in a short time, though you cannot sustain it. Transitioning into a moderate deficit diet continues to help you lose weight, but in a fashion more suitable for the long term.

Very Low Calorie Diet

A very low-calorie diet is only for people considered morbidly obese or for obese individuals with a medical condition. The diet entails severe caloric restriction, limiting daily calories to only 800. Generally, participants of a very low calorie diet consume a prepared food or beverage substance to control calories and avoid losing nutrition. This kind of diet usually results in a loss of 3 to 5 lbs. per week. Over a 12-week period, the average weight loss is 44 lbs., according to the Cleveland Clinic website. Because of the risks and side effects of this diet, only perform this under medical supervision and for a short time.

Moderate Deficit Diet

After participating in a very low-calorie diet, you can turn to the moderate deficit diet to continue with weight loss. This plan involves eating 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day. This will teach you how to eat nutritiously, leading to safe and effective long-term weight loss. Doctors generally consider a weight loss of 1 to 2 lbs. per week as safe, reports the Mayo Clinic website.

Add Exercise

Exercise is an important part of any good diet program. For weight loss, exercise burns calories and uses fat, helping you get closer to your goals. For the morbidly obese though, exercise carries a much greater value. It improves the health of your cardiovascular system, skeletal system and metabolic system. When you are morbidly obese, you are at high risk of developing chronic disease. Exercise, even without weight loss, can improve your condition.

Precautions and Warnings

Before starting any new diet or exercise program, always consult with your doctor. Your physician may have special guidelines for you to follow based on your personal medical history. Your doctor may also tell you what kind of exercise or diet might work best for you.