Low Calorie Diets
Brooke Haldorson
What is it?
A low calorie diet is a weight loss plan that restricts the average amount of calories a person eats to lose weight. The amount of calories the person will consume day to day is usually under 1000 calories.
How it effects the body
Calorie restriction is very popular and therefore, people generally assume it is healthy to do. However, there are many different issues connected with this. The most important factor is that the body does not receive all necessary nutrients. This leads the person to feel fatigued and cause other side-effects such as nausea and dizziness. Putting your body on a low calorie diet is counterproductive.
What Happens
- Metabolism slows down, causing it to be harder to lose weight.
- There can be psychological effects; malnourished individuals may experience irritability, impatience, distress, depression, and anxiety.
- After restricting calories over a period of time, individuals reach a plateau.
- Once returning to a normal diet, many gain a higher proportion of fat compared to lean tissue. Some even say they gained more weight than they initially had.
Healthier Options
Instead of restricting calories, there are many other options. Doctors can provide work out regimens and food choices that will work for each individual. Another option is cutting out processed foods and increasing the intake of vegetables, fruits, and lean meats. The key to losing weight is to eat better and exercise.