Eddy's Blog
What you need to know about VLCDs (Very low calorie diets)
Very low calorie diets are not rare and most people at some stage do follow a VLCD. Whilst eating very low calories can be beneficial for short periods and may assist you in achieving your goals, VLCDs are dangerous over the long term (3+months). I can understand that under certain circumstances there may be a relevant and important reason to follow a VLCD and surgery or immediate medical attention for an ailment may be a couple of good reasons however, many of us have chosen (at some stage) to drop our calories low to achieve weight loss. Whilst VLCD are effective from a weight loss angle, the results you gain from them are rapidly extinguished once you commence eating normally again and make no mistake about it, you will commence eating normally again as your body will not be able to cope on a VLCD long term! Here are 5 reasons why:
- Your energy levels on a VLCD will be low, day in and day out. The upside to this is that you will not need to perform any intense exercise whilst on a VLCD and yet you will still lose weight however, the down side is that you will not have much energy for anything else and you will be effected both physically and emotionally
- 9 out of 10 times it is quite difficult to get daily nutrient and trace mineral requirements out of VLCDs. Being well nourished is simply not going to happen on a VLCD.
- VLCDs have a tendency to lower your immune function. Antioxidants, healthy fats, amino acids from protein and trace minerals will all be at lower intake levels therefore making it almost impossible to receive your RDI (recommended daily intake) of most nutrients.
- VLCDs can trick your body into believing that it is in starvation mode. This simply means that your body recognises that you’re not getting enough energy in the form of nutrients and therefore commences down regulating all of its functions including metabolism. The body’s metabolic rate will slow down only after a short while on VLCDs thus making it eventually very difficult to continue to lose weight.
- VLCDs over the long term (3+ months and in some cases less) leads to malnutrition and ultimately illness and loss of muscle tone. Once you lack nutrients and lose muscle tone as a result of literally starving yourself, it can be very difficult to gain control over your eating habits as the body craves and seeks foods it has been deprived of.
As mentioned, if your reason for being on a VLCD short term is justifiable then VLCDs can be effective however for the sheer sake of losing weight for a short period of time and most likely ending up unwell, VLCDs defeat the purpose. Long term sustainable and maintainable habits will always prevail over VLCDs and should be your ultimate goal.
