Deutsch: Sehr niederenergetische Diät (SND) / Español: Dieta muy baja en calorías (DMBC) / Português: Dieta muito baixa em calorias (DMBC) / Français: Régime très pauvre en calories (RTPEC) / Italiano: Dieta molto ipocalorica (DMI) /
A Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) refers to a short-term Weight loss diet, VLCDs are commercially prepared formulas of 800 calories or less that replace all usual food intake.
Not all VLCD need be formulas; they could just be low calorie meal plans. These diets (in fact most diets less than 1000 calories) are low in essential nutrients and require vitamin/mineral supplementation.
Description
A Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) is a strict diet plan that typically limits daily caloric intake to 800 calories or less. This type of diet is often used for rapid weight loss under medical supervision. VLCDs are designed to promote significant calorie deficit, leading to quick reductions in body weight, primarily from fat stores. They are usually followed for a short period, ranging from a few weeks to a few months. VLCDs are often used as a kickstart to weight loss or to prepare individuals for bariatric surgery. These diets typically involve meal replacement shakes, bars, or specially formulated meals to ensure essential nutrients are provided despite the low calorie intake. Regular monitoring by healthcare professionals is crucial when following a VLCD to prevent nutrient deficiencies and other health complications.
Application Areas
- Rapid weight loss
- Pre-bariatric surgery preparation
- Breaking weight loss plateaus
- Reducing excess body fat
- Improving insulin sensitivity
Risks and Challenges
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Muscle loss
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Gallstones
- Metabolic slowdown
Examples
- Medically supervised VLCD programs
- Meal replacement VLCD shakes
- VLCD plans for pre-surgery weight loss
Similar Concepts and Terms
- Extreme calorie restriction
- Very low energy diets
- Super low calorie plans
Summary
A Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) is a strict diet plan that severely limits daily caloric intake to promote rapid weight loss. These diets are typically followed under medical supervision for a short period and involve meal replacement products to ensure essential nutrients are consumed.
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