Low-calorie diets are defined as diets that restrict calories to fewer than 1,200 per day, according to Dr. Sarah Brewer, et al., authors of "Diabetes Cookbook For Dummies." When you reach your goal weight or decide to end your low calorie diet, consult a physician for advice for transitioning to an eating plan that will help you maintain your weight loss.
Purpose of Low-Calorie Diets
Low-calorie diets are designed to start the dieter with rapid weight loss. Losing weight quickly can initially encourage the dieter to continue. However, you should only embark on a diet that calls for fewer than 1,200 calories a day under the supervision of a physician because these diets can be dangerous over the long term. Losing weight too quickly can cause heart problems, dull skin, hair loss, and a host of other health problems.
Transitioning Off the Diet
Don't stop a low-calorie diet abruptly. Your stomach may have shrunk during the course of the time you were on the diet, and reverting to your pre-diet meal portions will not only cause you to gain the weight back, but will also put your body under unnecessary stress. Many commercial low-calorie diet plans have a maintenance program designed to allow you to gradually increase the calories that you consume until you reach a point where you're not gaining or losing weight.
Avoiding Weight Gain
In addition to keeping your portion sizes sensible, continue consuming healthy meals after you end your low-calorie diet program. If you go back to eating sugary or fatty foods, you will probably gain the weight back. Additionally, you should continue exercising regularly to ensure that you remain healthy and toned after the diet ends. If you're not sure how to transition into a maintenance eating plan, consult a nutritionist. A nutritionist can assess your individual needs and recommend a plan that suits your lifestyle and prevents weight gain.
When to Consult a Physician
Consult a physician if you experience heart palpitations, irregular menstrual periods, cold intolerance, hair loss or fatigue while you are on your low-calorie diet. These may be signs that you're not consuming enough calories to maintain your body's minimal needs. Additionally, if you feel nauseous, have diarrhea, constipation or other symptoms after you begin transitioning off your low-calorie diet, consult your physician or a nutritionist for assistance. You may need to adjust your diet to reintroduce foods more slowly.
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