VLCD- is it sensible to wean off?

Calilassie
Calilassie Posts: 8 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone. I started a VLCD 8 days ago in perpetration for weight loss surgery which I have now postponed. Does anyone have recommendations/experience in weaning off this diet or do I need to wean off this diet?

My plan is/was to gradually increase calories by introducing healthy foods over a 2 week period starting with omitting the lunch time shake and replacing with veggies and protein and introducing mid afternoon fruit.
Am I in the right track?

Side note (ignore if not relevant)
I have felt really good and energetic on this diet, but after going to the gym 2 nights ago, I have felt very tired, headaches, nausea and light headed and it just hasn’t subsided- maybe related to the work out, maybe not.

Replies

  • Lietchi
    Lietchi Posts: 6,978 Member
    How 'very low' is this VLCD? I would personally go to a sensible level of food intake immediately or quite quickly, but it really depends on your starting point (calorie intake on VLCD) and end point (regular calorie goal for weight loss).

    In any case, you need to be aware than increasing your food intake will most likely cause an uptick on the scale: more food contents in your digestive tract and more water weight (more carbs = more water weight to process them). So don't panic :smile:

    PS: your symptoms could be related to the low calorie intake, but also working out (although lightheaded makes me lean towards not enough food intake).
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,397 Member
    Probably electrolyte balance.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    What does the weight loss medical team say you should do? I know there are recommendations on refeeding for anorexia, but not sure about rapid increase from where you are to where you need to be...call the team.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,055 Member
    Calilassie wrote: »
    Hi everyone. I started a VLCD 8 days ago in perpetration for weight loss surgery which I have now postponed. Does anyone have recommendations/experience in weaning off this diet or do I need to wean off this diet?

    My plan is/was to gradually increase calories by introducing healthy foods over a 2 week period starting with omitting the lunch time shake and replacing with veggies and protein and introducing mid afternoon fruit.
    Am I in the right track?

    Side note (ignore if not relevant)
    I have felt really good and energetic on this diet, but after going to the gym 2 nights ago, I have felt very tired, headaches, nausea and light headed and it just hasn’t subsided- maybe related to the work out, maybe not.

    While I agree with the advice to consult your team, I'll add my own unprofessional option:

    I would have protein with the afternoon fruit. I have 4 oz cottage cheese with 4 oz fruit. You could also do Greek yogurt. I get plenty of fat, but if you don't, you could add cheese, which is a more efficient way to add calories than the rest of the foods I mentioned, because of the fat content, and fat having 9 calories per gram vs carbs and protein's 4 calories per gram.

    Your symptoms could be from undereating. You didn't mention fluid intake. Could be a lack of that as well. What's your sodium consumption been like? The "electrolyte balance" mentioned above is related to that.

    Again, consult your team.
  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,471 Member
    edited August 2023
    If I were INCREASING calories I don't see any reason to substitute OUT anything until my calories were at the new level.

    The new level would NOT be a VLCD.... and you could substitute your shakes one by one at that point of time.

    I've no idea what is in your shakes but I would assume they're high protein and may have some vitamins and minerals.

    Why take them out.... before you have increased your calories to a more traditional level of deficit eating? 🤷‍♂️
  • Calilassie
    Calilassie Posts: 8 Member
    Thank you everyone.

    The VLCD calculates around 800 kcal per day.
    The shakes are nutrient dense and low in calorie, approx 20g protein.
    2 shakes per day
    1 green tea
    3 cups non starchy veg
    125g lean meat
    2-3l of water (drinking around 2.5l per day)

    I have reached out to the team and awaiting a response, I won’t hear anything now until at least Monday.

    Feeling much better today. I am going to just add some protein to my lunchtime salad and have some fruit in my smoothie this morning.

    Electrolyte balance is entirely possible- I do have mildly low sodium anyway, in addition to the water intake, this is very likely a contributor.

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