Why are so many agains low calorie and VLC dieting?
konpeki
Posts: 5
I see a lot of threads like this one: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1342871-lowered-calorie-goal-and-need-help-staying-full
Someone posts saying they are eating 1200 kcal/d, and a bunch of folks jump in saying not to do that. Why? Low calorie (LC) dieting and very low calorie (VLC) dieting are completely legitimate approaches to fighting obesity:
http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/low_calorie.htm
In my opinion, an obese person eating far below what someone else thinks they need to eat to lose weight - and to be honest, no one can be sure what someone else's caloric threshold for weight loss will be - should be: 1) encouraged to obtain the help of a weight loss program, and for VLC, proper medical surveillance; 2) advised that rapid weight loss may not be the best long term approach for everyone; but certainly not scolded or told that this approach is unequivocally wrong.
The reason bariatric surgery helps so many people is that it makes it easier for them to do a VLC diet and diminishes the likelihood of early and substantial weight gain. With proper education and support, some people have success with a VLC or LC diet without doing surgery. It is not the right approach for everyone, but then what is?
Someone posts saying they are eating 1200 kcal/d, and a bunch of folks jump in saying not to do that. Why? Low calorie (LC) dieting and very low calorie (VLC) dieting are completely legitimate approaches to fighting obesity:
http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/low_calorie.htm
In my opinion, an obese person eating far below what someone else thinks they need to eat to lose weight - and to be honest, no one can be sure what someone else's caloric threshold for weight loss will be - should be: 1) encouraged to obtain the help of a weight loss program, and for VLC, proper medical surveillance; 2) advised that rapid weight loss may not be the best long term approach for everyone; but certainly not scolded or told that this approach is unequivocally wrong.
The reason bariatric surgery helps so many people is that it makes it easier for them to do a VLC diet and diminishes the likelihood of early and substantial weight gain. With proper education and support, some people have success with a VLC or LC diet without doing surgery. It is not the right approach for everyone, but then what is?
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Replies
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its the fact that for MOST people, VLC diets are dangerous since there is such a low energy intake. also these diets tend to be alot less sustainable and often lead to binges
for someone who is extremely obese and unactive, a VLC diet may be in order. but for someone who is <50 lbs overweight its unhealthy and will often lead to them gaining back the weight they lost1 -
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its fine for a while but after 20 pounds it's hard to sustain. real life gets in the way. when you have family and they want non low calorie food in the house you have to deal with that all the time for long term. if you can do 1200 for a week and then 1500 a week then back to 1200 it may be more manageable you need something that works for the long term. real world. and doesn't get your body used to 1200 calories. been struggle my whole life. not a natural exerciser and other issues but have kept off 50 pounds now for 7 years unfortunately have much more to go blood pressure is now acceptable but diabetes is here to stay. that's life
please excuse the long reply0 -
Speaking as someone who was married to a bariatric surgery patient, just because she lost a bunch of weight after the surgery, it didn't mean she was healthier. She suffers to this day from vitamin deficiencies, mineral deficiencies, and anemia, all of which have been traced back to her surgery and her body's inability to absorb enough nutrients. The same thing can be said of people who are eating very low calorie diets. It's not worth it in the long run. Just eat a sensible number of calories, exercise as best you can, and let the weight come off at a reasonable rate.0
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Other than the health implications of non Clinician monitored VLC diets as mentioned above. The majority of people that do them are likely to gain the weight plus more back. Also there is a thing why make yourself miserable while losing weight that's why most people fail. If you hate doing something you are not going to keep at it. I've worked at eating the most I could while still losing weight why would I want to make myself miserable by needlessly restricting my diet?
There's this myth mainly seems to be promoted by the diet industry that losing weight is incredibly hard for everyone and you have to deprive yourself, suffer and buy into one of their products to do this. When in reality its a lot easier than most people think it just takes, consistency, some patience, common sense and the will to do it and you really don't have to be miserable.0 -
Basically this. To speak in general, the less fat you have left to lose, the smaller your deficit should be.When someone is actually heavy they're probably not as bad as people make them out to be. The problem is the 1200 calorie posts are usually by 18 year old girls who do 3 hours of cardio a day and want to lose 3lbs so they can be 110lbs instead of 113lbs.0 -
Yay, another pro-ana thread....
with your pro-ana bull****.
Also....When someone is actually heavy they're probably not as bad as people make them out to be. The problem is the 1200 calorie posts are usually by 18 year old girls who do 3 hours of cardio a day and want to lose 3lbs so they can be 110lbs instead of 113lbs.0 -
Because we get hungry when we eat too little, and because being hungry sucks, and because being hungry is not necessary to lose weight? :noway:0
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When someone is actually heavy they're probably not as bad as people make them out to be. The problem is the 1200 calorie posts are usually by 18 year old girls who do 3 hours of cardio a day and want to lose 3lbs so they can be 110lbs instead of 113lbs.
Why assume? There are lots of obese people looking for help and support.Yay, another pro-ana thread....
What is "ana"?Speaking as someone who was married to a bariatric surgery patient, just because she lost a bunch of weight after the surgery, it didn't mean she was healthier....
Certainly there are people who have bad outcomes with bariatric surgery, including even perioperative death. But just as surely there are people who benefit from bariatric surgery. It's the same with LC and VLC dieting - it hurts some people and helps others. But the general reaction on these boards strikes me as being very unbalanced and mob mentality driven.0 -
I see a lot of threads like this one: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1342871-lowered-calorie-goal-and-need-help-staying-full
Someone posts saying they are eating 1200 kcal/d, and a bunch of folks jump in saying not to do that. Why? Low calorie (LC) dieting and very low calorie (VLC) dieting are completely legitimate approaches to fighting obesity:
http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/low_calorie.htm
In my opinion, an obese person eating far below what someone else thinks they need to eat to lose weight - and to be honest, no one can be sure what someone else's caloric threshold for weight loss will be - should be: 1) encouraged to obtain the help of a weight loss program, and for VLC, proper medical surveillance; 2) advised that rapid weight loss may not be the best long term approach for everyone; but certainly not scolded or told that this approach is unequivocally wrong.
The reason bariatric surgery helps so many people is that it makes it easier for them to do a VLC diet and diminishes the likelihood of early and substantial weight gain. With proper education and support, some people have success with a VLC or LC diet without doing surgery. It is not the right approach for everyone, but then what is?
Because most people are horribly misinformed about dieting and obesity. Far too many people actully "learn" what is correct from these forums. :noway:
And then there are those that feel the need to force theri own personal goals on everyone else. The "if you aren't like me you are wrong" crowd. And, unfortunately, that is a very big crowd.0 -
Not against it. But you need a doctor's supervision to do it safely. Preferably a specialist. With a nutritionist or dietitian to help you meet your RDA.
And if you talk about it here, you better mention that you're under doctor's supervision in every post. And what is the point of talking about it here, when there are websites set up for doctor's supervised diets that can support you better?0 -
agreed. and thats the general reaction because speaking in a general sense VLC diets are a bad idea, and even for obese people they are unnecessary, they just speed up the weigh loss processWhen someone is actually heavy they're probably not as bad as people make them out to be. The problem is the 1200 calorie posts are usually by 18 year old girls who do 3 hours of cardio a day and want to lose 3lbs so they can be 110lbs instead of 113lbs.
Why assume? There are lots of obese people looking for help and support.Yay, another pro-ana thread....
What is "ana"?Speaking as someone who was married to a bariatric surgery patient, just because she lost a bunch of weight after the surgery, it didn't mean she was healthier....
Certainly there are people who have bad outcomes with bariatric surgery, including even perioperative death. But just as surely there are people who benefit from bariatric surgery. It's the same with LC and VLC dieting - it hurts some people and helps others. But the general reaction on these boards strikes me as being very unbalanced and mob mentality driven.0 -
Here is an interesting article that answers your question as to why eating a VLCD is a bad idea. You are not giving your body the fuel it needs to function properly.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/dissecting-the-energy-needs-of-the-body-research-review.html
As you can see in the chart organs needs a minimum to function properly, in the "average" human the following figures are used:
Liver 200
Brain 240
Heart 400
Kidneys 400
As you can see in just these 4 organs the average person needs to consume 1240 calories a day to allow normal organ function. Its up to you whether or not to believe it, or even care; this was just to answer your questions.
TL;DR - Because its not necessary and can be dangerous.0 -
Other than the health implications of non Clinician monitored VLC diets as mentioned above. The majority of people that do them are likely to gain the weight plus more back. Also there is a thing why make yourself miserable while losing weight that's why most people fail. If you hate doing something you are not going to keep at it. I've worked at eating the most I could while still losing weight why would I want to make myself miserable by needlessly restricting my diet?
There's this myth mainly seems to be promoted by the diet industry that losing weight is incredibly hard for everyone and you have to deprive yourself, suffer and buy into one of their products to do this. When in reality its a lot easier than most people think it just takes, consistency, some patience, common sense and the will to do it and you really don't have to be miserable.
I'm agree!0 -
It really depends on how many calories you burn in a day. Me, for instance, I sit at a desk for 8 hours and then 3x a week I jog 5k. I clean the house and play with my son when I'm not at work, but I also have school online. I only burn about 2200-2500 calories on average a day. On the days that I run I eat 1400-1800 calories and when I don't I try and stay around 1200. I am not some 18 yo trying to lose 3 lbs. I am not unhealthy. I am not tired. I am not hungry. I am a 27 yo 5'5 mom. What I do isn't right for everyone but it is for me.0
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Weightloss is primarily calorie control you eat less you will weigh less, throw in some activity and you can increase your weighloss or improve your physic, exercise alone not so effective, calorie control no exercise you will still lose lbs FACT ....... However for me it's a 80/20 split, eat clean , 1200 cal, little daily exercise........ Find what works for you x good luck x0
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Here is an interesting article that answers your question as to why eating a VLCD is a bad idea. You are not giving your body the fuel it needs to function properly.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/dissecting-the-energy-needs-of-the-body-research-review.html
As you can see in the chart organs needs a minimum to function properly, in the "average" human the following figures are used:
Liver 200
Brain 240
Heart 400
Kidneys 400
As you can see in just these 4 organs the average person needs to consume 1240 calories a day to allow normal organ function. Its up to you whether or not to believe it, or even care; this was just to answer your questions.
TL;DR - Because its not necessary and can be dangerous.
I actually wonder about this when I read it. Why isn't my body, a survival beast, at least in evolutionary terms, happily gobbling down my excess fat every day to provide the calories my vital organs need regardless of how much I eat that day?0 -
Here is an interesting article that answers your question as to why eating a VLCD is a bad idea. You are not giving your body the fuel it needs to function properly.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/dissecting-the-energy-needs-of-the-body-research-review.html
As you can see in the chart organs needs a minimum to function properly, in the "average" human the following figures are used:
Liver 200
Brain 240
Heart 400
Kidneys 400
As you can see in just these 4 organs the average person needs to consume 1240 calories a day to allow normal organ function. Its up to you whether or not to believe it, or even care; this was just to answer your questions.
TL;DR - Because its not necessary and can be dangerous.
I actually wonder about this when I read it. Why isn't my body, a survival beast, at least in evolutionary terms, happily gobbling down my excess fat every day to provide the calories my vital organs need regardless of how much I eat that day?
It is my understanding that it entirely depends on what fuel your body is ready to burn first. Which is an different debate that will end up unleashing kitty gifs and a flame war of epic proportions. :laugh:0 -
It is my understanding that it entirely depends on what fuel your body is ready to burn first. Which is an different debate that will end up unleashing kitty gifs and a flame war of epic proportions. :laugh:
I withdraw the question! I withdraw the question! *flees*0 -
I don't care if people choose to starve themselves, unless it's someone I know. Hungry people are usually cranky. I don't want cranky people around me, bringing me down.0
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Because we get hungry when we eat too little, and because being hungry sucks, and because being hungry is not necessary to lose weight? :noway:
This^. The first few times I made a serious effort to lose weight I tried eating on 1500 calories a day, from the advice of my Doctor. I weighed 340 - 350 at the time. 1500 kcal was too low. I lost some weight, but after a few weeks I was so miserable I said; "screw it, if that's what it takes to be at a normal weight, then I'm just going to have to be fat". Then went back to normal eating habits for 6 months. It wasn't until I found MFP and educated myself through research and trial and error that I found a way to eat properly that works for me.
That's why LC and VLC diets are viewed with disdain around here. They don't work for long term success. There's a mental process one has to go through to be effective in changing your lifestyle. These methods don't accomplish that.0 -
Here is an interesting article that answers your question as to why eating a VLCD is a bad idea. You are not giving your body the fuel it needs to function properly.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/dissecting-the-energy-needs-of-the-body-research-review.html
As you can see in the chart organs needs a minimum to function properly, in the "average" human the following figures are used:
Liver 200
Brain 240
Heart 400
Kidneys 400
As you can see in just these 4 organs the average person needs to consume 1240 calories a day to allow normal organ function. Its up to you whether or not to believe it, or even care; this was just to answer your questions.
TL;DR - Because its not necessary and can be dangerous.
^Pretty much this
In for the "but I'm short and need 1000 calories to lose. " parade.0 -
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When someone is actually heavy they're probably not as bad as people make them out to be. The problem is the 1200 calorie posts are usually by 18 year old girls who do 3 hours of cardio a day and want to lose 3lbs so they can be 110lbs instead of 113lbs.Why assume? There are lots of obese people looking for help and support.
No need to assume...you can go into their profiles and see that they're very often young women with very little (if any) weight to lose.Yay, another pro-ana thread....What is "ana"?
Anorexic...there are **** tons of these pro-anorexic threads on MFP...tons.0 -
Anorexic...there are **** tons of these pro-anorexic threads on MFP...tons.
Well this isn't one of them. I am talking about obesity management.Here is an interesting article that answers your question as to why eating a VLCD is a bad idea. You are not giving your body the fuel it needs to function properly.
Based on that, bariatric surgery is a bad idea. Yet some people benefit from bariatric surgery.
Different approaches to weight loss may work for different people. One obese person may need to see more rapid initial weight loss in order to get into stride and start feeling better about exercise, etc. For another person, slow and steady may be the best approach.
But there are no high quality scientific data to support this notion that slow weight loss is the best approach for everyone.0 -
But does it say anywhere in there that your body needs those 1240 calories from TODAY's food? I think it's understood that bodies use stored fat calories to fuel deficits.Here is an interesting article that answers your question as to why eating a VLCD is a bad idea. You are not giving your body the fuel it needs to function properly.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/dissecting-the-energy-needs-of-the-body-research-review.html
As you can see in the chart organs needs a minimum to function properly, in the "average" human the following figures are used:
Liver 200
Brain 240
Heart 400
Kidneys 400
As you can see in just these 4 organs the average person needs to consume 1240 calories a day to allow normal organ function. Its up to you whether or not to believe it, or even care; this was just to answer your questions.
TL;DR - Because its not necessary and can be dangerous.
Even Lyle has a very low calorie diet plan. It goes down to below 800 calories, I believe.0 -
Anorexic...there are **** tons of these pro-anorexic threads on MFP...tons.
Well this isn't one of them. I am talking about obesity management.Here is an interesting article that answers your question as to why eating a VLCD is a bad idea. You are not giving your body the fuel it needs to function properly.
Based on that, bariatric surgery is a bad idea. Yet some people benefit from bariatric surgery.
Different approaches to weight loss may work for different people. One obese person may need to see more rapid initial weight loss in order to get into stride and start feeling better about exercise, etc. For another person, slow and steady may be the best approach.
But there are no high quality scientific data to support this notion that slow weight loss is the best approach for everyone.
I wasn't going to even address the surgery comment but now I will. Surgery should be used to avoid death, if all else fails then sure go have surgery to save your life. So many people are quick to use it as the first option, more people need to just educate themselves on nutrition, get off the couch and go change their life.
As far as slow weight loss goes I lost 150 lbs in 1 year, some would call that pretty quick. I didn't have surgery and I feel awesome, all I did was move more and eat less. I NEVER ate anywhere near 1200 calories to make it happen. Right now I am eating 2800 and am still losing.0 -
But does it say anywhere in there that your body needs those 1240 calories from TODAY's food? I think it's understood that bodies use stored fat calories to fuel deficits.Here is an interesting article that answers your question as to why eating a VLCD is a bad idea. You are not giving your body the fuel it needs to function properly.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/dissecting-the-energy-needs-of-the-body-research-review.html
As you can see in the chart organs needs a minimum to function properly, in the "average" human the following figures are used:
Liver 200
Brain 240
Heart 400
Kidneys 400
As you can see in just these 4 organs the average person needs to consume 1240 calories a day to allow normal organ function. Its up to you whether or not to believe it, or even care; this was just to answer your questions.
TL;DR - Because its not necessary and can be dangerous.
Even Lyle has a very low calorie diet plan. It goes down to below 800 calories, I believe.
No it doesn't but if you are eating under 1200 calories a day for an extended period of time where do you expect to get the fuel from? I didn't write the article but I understand that eating a VLCD is a bad idea....
I cant comment on Lyle's nutrition, I am sure based on the article that he didn't actually do the studies.0 -
Here is an interesting article that answers your question as to why eating a VLCD is a bad idea. You are not giving your body the fuel it needs to function properly.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/dissecting-the-energy-needs-of-the-body-research-review.html
As you can see in the chart organs needs a minimum to function properly, in the "average" human the following figures are used:
Liver 200
Brain 240
Heart 400
Kidneys 400
As you can see in just these 4 organs the average person needs to consume 1240 calories a day to allow normal organ function. Its up to you whether or not to believe it, or even care; this was just to answer your questions.
TL;DR - Because its not necessary and can be dangerous.
I actually wonder about this when I read it. Why isn't my body, a survival beast, at least in evolutionary terms, happily gobbling down my excess fat every day to provide the calories my vital organs need regardless of how much I eat that day?
It is my understanding that it entirely depends on what fuel your body is ready to burn first. Which is an different debate that will end up unleashing kitty gifs and a flame war of epic proportions. :laugh:
:laugh:0
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