Low-Calorie Diets for Weight Loss: Are They Healthy?
Low calorie diets shouldn’t be practiced without any nutritional guidance. There are health risks in restricting the intake of calories. Read on to know more about low calorie diets and if this may work on you.
What are calories?
Calories are the units of energy found in foods or beverages. One calorie is enough to increase the temperature of a millimeter of water by one degree Celsius. Through the process of metabolism, your body converts the calories from the food you eat into energy. It is then distributed to the organs and tissues in order for them to function normally. This includes regulating hormones, growth development and breathing. Even while you are sleeping, your body is still distributing energy. Excess unconverted calories are deposited as fat inside your body. These are stored to be turned into energy at a later time.
Low calorie diet
The recommended calorie intake for most people should be around 2400 to 2600 kcal (kilocalorie). This amount is sufficient for most individuals to stay healthy and fit. Low calorie diets are where an individual must limit the calorie intake by 800 to 1200 kcal per day. By doing this, your body converts the stored fat into energy which results in weight loss.
Why is the low calorie diet not for everyone?
Starving yourself is never a healthy solution to staying fit. Many people misunderstand the low calorie diet and practice it by eating smaller amounts of food than usual. They may also follow popularized diets recommended by celebrities which do not have any scientific basis. Those who are on a low calorie diet in hospitals are usually watched over by licensed nutritionists and physicians. They ensure the patient’s body can withstand the lack of needed nutrients before they undergo this diet.
One of the dangers of this diet is the high risk of nutritional deficiencies. This is where a person is lacking in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to be used by the body. Nutritional deficiencies can cause medical complications such as osteoporosis due to the lack of calcium. Another symptom would be dry skin and hair due to lowered intake of essential fatty acids.
Should you avoid a low calorie diet?
Not necessarily. The reason why most people aren’t able to successfully lose weight on a low calorie diet is because of what they eat. Most of the foods they consume are processed meals served in fast food restaurants or sold in grocery stores. They’ll still be eating hamburgers, fries, microwavable meals and other foods which lacks the nutrients their body needs.
The solution to staying fit is “eating the right food” instead of “eating less”. A good low calorie diet should focus on including nutrient dense meals and snacks to your daily consumption. This allows you to consume less without having to starve your body. A qualified nutritionist can help you come up with an effective low calorie diet plan online or in your local area. They can ensure you will safely lose weight without risking your health.
Remember to avoid any low calorie diet plan which tells you to eat less. They are usually popularized without any shred of evidence as to how effective they are. Professional nutritionists can provide you with an effective means of losing weight without risking your health.