The majority of people should not follow a very low-calorie diet. Discuss your concerns with Dr. Pankaj Kumar to determine if a diet like this is right for you. A very low-calorie diet, when followed by someone with a high body mass index, is generally safe. Very low-calorie diets shouldn't be prescribed to people with a BMI between 27 and 30 who are simply overweight and don't meet the criteria for obesity.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as well as children and teenagers who are not participating in a structured treatment program, should not follow very low-calorie diets. Depending on the need for medications to treat preexisting conditions and the likelihood of side effects, they also may not be suitable for people over the age of 50.

 

Is It Safe to Go on a Very Low-Calorie Diet?

Minor side effects, such as fatigue, constipation, nausea, and diarrhea, are reported by people on a very low-calorie diet for 4-16 weeks. These issues typically clear up after a couple of weeks but prevent people from finishing the program very often. 

 

These are the side effects of a low-calorie diet

1. Most severely, very low-calorie diets can cause gallstones. Fast weight loss increases the risk of gallstones. When there aren't enough calories in the body, fat is broken down for fuel. After that, the liver produces even more cholesterol, which, when mixed with bile, can lead to the formation of gallstones.
2. It may cause your metabolism to decrease. Consuming fewer calories regularly than your body requires can slow down your metabolic rate. A low-calorie diet can reduce energy expenditure by as much as 23%, according to some research.
3. It has the potential to decrease fertility.
4. It can cause bone weakness.
5. It could weaken your defenses.
6. This can lead to fatigue and nutritional deficiencies. Diets low in calories may also be low in the following nutrients:

• Protein: Inadequate consumption of protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, dairy, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, and seeds has been linked to muscle wasting, hair thinning, and brittle nails.
• Calcium: Inadequate consumption of calcium-rich foods such as dairy, leafy greens, calcium-set tofu, and fortified milk has been linked to decreased bone strength and an increased risk of fractures.
• Biotin and thiamine: Reduced muscle strength, thinning hair, and dry, flaky skin may result from a deficiency in the B vitamins biotin and thiamine, which can be caused by a diet low in whole grains, legumes, eggs, dairy, nuts, and seeds.
• Vitamin A: Consuming insufficient amounts of vitamin A-rich foods like organic meat, fish, dairy, leafy greens, and orange-colored fruits and vegetables can weaken the immune system and cause permanent eye damage.
• Vitamin A: Consuming insufficient amounts of vitamin A-rich foods like organic meat, fish, dairy, leafy greens, and orange-colored fruits and vegetables can weaken the immune system and cause permanent eye damage. Weakness, migraines, muscle cramps, and irregular heart rhythms have all been linked to magnesium deficiency.

 

When it comes to very low-calorie diets, what are the other potential drawbacks that you can think of?

One must eat a variety of foods from each food group to maintain good health. When following a very low-calorie diet, it can be challenging to get adequate nutrition and experience satiety. Also, if you eat the same foods every day, eating as little as 800 calories per day might not provide you with enough fuel to perform the activities of daily living and maintain an active lifestyle.

If you're on a very low-calorie diet and want to make sure you're getting everything you need, a conversation with Dr. Pankaj Kumar is a good place to start.

To maintain weight, most adult women should consume 1,600–2,400 calories per day, while men should consume 2,200–3,000 calories per day, according to the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. You can join Dr. Pankaj Kumar's lifestyle modification program to shed excess weight at a healthy rate of 1 to 2 pounds per week.

Some people's current and past health conditions may make it unwise for them to follow a low-calorie diet that limits daily caloric intake to 1,200 to 1,800 for adults. Following the USDA's dietary guidelines, a low-calorie diet can not provide a sufficient quantity of healthy food while still allowing for weight loss.

Calorie needs vary widely from person to person, so it's important to use a tool like this to figure out how much food you need to consume each day to achieve your weight loss goals.

 

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