What is a very-low-calorie diet?

Very-low-calorie diets differ from other diet plans, as they eliminate food altogether.

Instead, meal replacement bars and drinks are provided which contain all the required daily vitamins, minerals and protein.

The average daily calorie intake on a VLCD is 800 calories or less.

What is it?

Very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs) differ from other diet plans, as they eliminate food altogether. Instead meal replacement bars and drinks are provided which contain all the required daily vitamins, minerals and protein.

The average calorie intake on a VLCD is 800 kilocalories or less per day.

The meal replacement concept is designed to remove the need to make decisions about food, such as during cooking, shopping and eating out.

Depending on the programme, counselling sessions are also included to help dieters tackle their food addiction.

Only severely overweight people, usually with a BMI of 30 or more, are eligible to join VLCD programs.

Medical advice and supervision should always be sought. After the initial meal replacement phase, and once weight loss target is reached, healthy food can be gradually reintroduced in a structured way.

How long has it been around?

The Cambridge Diet was the first VLCD plan, developed by Dr. Alan Howard, at Cambridge University in 1970.

Today there are many different programs available.

Celebrity fans

In 1988 Oprah Winfrey revealed on her talk show that she had lost 67 pounds on a meal replacement diet.

Pros

In comparison with other diets, VLCDs can result in large amounts of weight loss in relatively short time periods.

Cons

The side effects can be quite severe, and include dry mouth, headache, menstrual irregularities and constipation.

Long-term side effects can include hair loss. Losing a large amount of weight in such a short period can lead to excess saggy skin.

It can prove difficult to sustain the weight loss once food in reintroduced into the diet.

What can I eat?

VLCD programmes provide meal replacement drinks and bars, which contain essential nutrients. Four litres of water should be consumed per day.

Depending on the plan, small amounts of low calorie food, such as vegetables, are sometimes incorporated.

What can’t I eat?

Initially, no normal food can be eaten.

Books

The Cambridge Diet The Swansea Trial