NHS very low calorie diet help
Replies
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Do you use this site to log? If you weren't losing on the 1200 diet, you may have been eating more than you thought? If you weren't weighing EVERYTHING start doing it now and log every tiny morsel (I find if I have a few weeks not losing, I've been making too many trips to the Nutella jar or pinching crisps here and there and not logging it).
I don't see the issue with the 1000 cal diet if you're being supervised by your doctor, having regular blood tests etc. the easiest way to make the most of the diet would be to eat as 'clean' as possible (not something I do myself but if you've got that little to work with best to steer clear of empty calories).
First, I would try logging everything you were eating before and see if it's more than you thought as 1000 cals is going to be pretty miserable.
I put everything into the diet diary on this site
no point in trying to lose weight if I lie to my diet diary.
Well, if you're putting everything in (accurately weighed) you should be losing weight. I asked if you were logging because your diary's private - some people use the site just for the forum - no offence intended, just a question.
If you're logging accurately, I'd go back to the doctor and demand more tests as a medical condition is the only way you wouldn't be losing on that diet.0 -
Thank you for the recipe meredithcoupo I'll substitute the almond milk for my skimmed allowance milk
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Thought I had it public will change that setting.0
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Height: 5 foot 2 inches
Age: 24
BMI: 43.9
Weight: 109kg
Activity: 30 minutes a day total aerobic and strength exercises, moderate activity rest of day.
did you forget your age when you filled out your profile!?0 -
Find a new dietician.
With 65lbs to lose, there is no reason to eat that little.
this!
did a doctor actually give you this as a diet plan to follow?
I've been trying to lose weight for 8 years and all I do is gain more....My doctors have given up on me because:
Diet diary given every appointment,
I've been on their healthy eating course= no results
Gym membership 3 times a week, use 1 hour+ sessions = no results
Many Blood tests = no results
Tried Slimming World, Weight Watchers, Fasting Diets, Low calorie, low meat, high protein, low carb = no results
Orlistat = no results.
Have you had your fasting insulin checked? Not glucose, insulin. If so, what was it? Have you had your estrogen and testosterone checked?
Do you have issues with your hair? Either falling out (from head) or growing where women don't normally get it (namely, face)?
What are your periods like? Do you have skin tags or odd patches of skin? Acne issues?
You don't have to answer these questions here, I ask them, because you sound a lot like myself. I was tracking, eating good foods, and working out pretty intensely and didn't get anywhere at all, even though I should have seen inches lost even if the scale didn't move.
The list above is for PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome, and no, having cysts on the ovaries is not a requirement for diagnosis, but does also include easy weight gain/inability to lose weight, and depression), but it could be another hormonal/endocrine issue. It might be worth getting a referral to an endocrinologist and get the related tests done.0 -
i looked at your diary for april and you hadnt logged?0
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I've been given a diet by my dietitian for twelve weeks, I was hoping people could help me find ways to makes this diet less of a strain, e.g. vegetable recipes i.e. soups/stews/roasted etc.
-Can add spices/herbs/stock
-1000 Calories max per day.
- 2 Fruit portions 50 calories max each
-Skimmed milk allowance = 1/2 pint
-2 Portions of veg [no potatoes] = 75 calories max
-No other foods allowed.
The diet:
Breakfast: 1 meal replacement + Tea/coffee with skimmed milk allowance
Mid-Morning: Tea/Coffee or low calorie drink
Lunch: Serving of salad/vegetables + 1 portion of fruit.
Mid-Afternoon: 1 meal replacement
Evening Meal: Serving of vegetables/ Salad
Bed-Time: 1 meal replacement.
OK bad dietitian! I was put on this diet 800-1000 calories by my specialist (a DOCTOR) and my food diary is open if you want to look (check out the week of the 7th)... I eat normal foods, high protein is the key to keep your hair and body health up. This person has taken away your protein and these meal replacements are crazy! Even if you lose the weight you will not keep it off when you go back to real food. Plus I'm sure they are getting a $ kickback for the replacements. you need a new dietitian! As for soups you can buy them, Campbell's makes some great ones for low calorie that are great.0 -
I hadn't heard of the NHS recommending slimfast. If they are doing so, it seems a bit counterproductive advice for someone with food/weight issues.
I've got nothing else. I'm out.0 -
What works for you may not work for all. 1200 calories seems to work for me. Who are you to judge? What certifications do you hold?
Advice like yours is just as bad as the OP'S dietician.Most people on here are going to tell you to up your calories despite the fact that you are working with a professional. I hAve been on every diet you can think of and even the ones that come with pre packaged measured food I have difficulty loosing weight.
For me to lose weight I have to either
1) cut calories to 1000-1200 a day or
2) exercise 90-120 minutes a day and eat approx 1500 calories a day or
3) do Atkins or a low carb diet
I have meticulously counted my calories over the past month measure everything and using a food scale. For the last 30 days I averaged 1496 calories a day. I have done moderate exercise about 30 min 4x a week of which twice is with a trainer. also I have a 3 month old a two year old and a twelve year old whom I would say keep me pretty active. I lost 11 pds in the first 10 days when I averaged 1236 calories and have stayed the same since then. So I have decided to stick to 1200 calories for the next month and track my progress. Every body is different, I'm guessing my bmr is lower than the average person my age/weight and I may have underling medical issue but haven't figure that out yet.
Here is one recipe I find helpful when Im hungry and don't have a lot of calories to spare:
low cal cream of broccoli soup in my vitamix.
I just threw in about a cup of leftover broccoli
3 baby carrots
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup water
1 bouillon cube
Dash of chili powder
( I usually add a chunk of tofu for creaminess and protein but ran out and it was awesome anyway)
Threw in the vitamix and put it on soup setting. Or you can throw in a regular blender then heat on the stove or microwave.0 -
I did a doctor supervised 800 calorie VLCD for 11 weeks. It was very difficult but I got through it and so will you. Mine allowed me more autonomy with food choices as long as I met protein goals and stayed under with sugar. I was able to eat fish and lean meats and chicken along with 1/2 of a piece of fruit and the occasional tablespoon of nuts or egg.. but I also enjoyed my share of zero carb protein shakes because it made it easier for me to meet my protein goals.
Soups are your friend. Cabbage soup made with beef stock is delicious when it's loaded up with vegetables. I also like shredded cabbage with carrots an onions mixed with some vinegar and a bit of artificial sweetener. weird combo but it kind of reminds me of coleslaw.
A nice salad with romaine and spinach with half of a diced granny smith apple was HEAVEN during my VLCD. I was also allowed an egg or tablespoon of nuts so I'd put that on my salad and dig in.
Best wishes to you.0 -
I think I am looking at seeing him once a month.0
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I would guess that if you were to really look at what you are eating you would find that you are eating more than you are aware of. But if you want to stick to the low calorie diet, I suggest Rocco Dispirito's book, The Pound a Day Diet. It has lots of recipes that will keep you between the 800-1200 calorie range.0
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I think I am looking at seeing him once a month.
you dont log consistantly and you cant decide if you're 24 or 34....0 -
This content has been removed.
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Height: 5 foot 2 inches
Age: 24
BMI: 43.9
Weight: 109kg
Activity: 30 minutes a day total aerobic and strength exercises, moderate activity rest of day.
did you forget your age when you filled out your profile!?
Nope clicked the wrong one on the drop down. Fixed it, forgot to change it after set up the diary from the default. Also I don't have access to a tablet so I have to write down what I eat then put it in here, it's been updated with the days I forgot to upload on the site.0 -
That diet sounds like it would have you starving with your hair falling out. I would seek a second opinion.
We see a lot of specialists for my youngest son. I have learned that if it doesn't make sense to me, look for another doctor. It's worked out pretty well for us.
Someone once told me "A degree means nothing - someone had to graduate at the bottom of the class.". I keep that in mind with every new health professional we see. Good luck!0 -
I have for years followed a low calorie low fat diet only to find I put a few lbs on each year. I watched my intake on here and most days I was around the 1000 calorie mark. Because of my health I can't vigorously exercise. Most of my calories were however coming from carbs and I suspect I must have had odd high calorie days to keep gaining.
However I have since increased my calories to 1350, plus eating the calories I exercise off by going for a walk at night. I have lost weight consistently and steadily since doing this.
I am scrupulously honest with myself, hence my private food diary. I want that privacy to be so honest, you are then only cheating on yourself if you don't include it.
I don't think anyone can maintain the diet you have been given. However I would advise you to be honest with yourself and record everything, including drinks.0 -
Never said anyone should eat 1000 calories made it very clear this is what works for me.
I actually hold several certifications.What works for you may not work for all. 1200 calories seems to work for me. Who are you to judge? What certifications do you hold?
Advice like yours is just as bad as the OP'S dietician.Most people on here are going to tell you to up your calories despite the fact that you are working with a professional. I hAve been on every diet you can think of and even the ones that come with pre packaged measured food I have difficulty loosing weight.
For me to lose weight I have to either
1) cut calories to 1000-1200 a day or
2) exercise 90-120 minutes a day and eat approx 1500 calories a day or
3) do Atkins or a low carb diet
I have meticulously counted my calories over the past month measure everything and using a food scale. For the last 30 days I averaged 1496 calories a day. I have done moderate exercise about 30 min 4x a week of which twice is with a trainer. also I have a 3 month old a two year old and a twelve year old whom I would say keep me pretty active. I lost 11 pds in the first 10 days when I averaged 1236 calories and have stayed the same since then. So I have decided to stick to 1200 calories for the next month and track my progress. Every body is different, I'm guessing my bmr is lower than the average person my age/weight and I may have underling medical issue but haven't figure that out yet.
Here is one recipe I find helpful when Im hungry and don't have a lot of calories to spare:
low cal cream of broccoli soup in my vitamix.
I just threw in about a cup of leftover broccoli
3 baby carrots
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup water
1 bouillon cube
Dash of chili powder
( I usually add a chunk of tofu for creaminess and protein but ran out and it was awesome anyway)
Threw in the vitamix and put it on soup setting. Or you can throw in a regular blender then heat on the stove or microwave.
And you promoting that people should net 1000 calories or less is irresponsible and reckless. I think you should educate yourself a little better when it comes to nutrition.0 -
Dieticians will sometimes advise VLC diets - usually in prep for surgery, as a 'last measure' or if the person has a substantial amount of weight to loose, - and of course all VLC diets are temporary. It sounds like you fit into none of this criteria, you need a new dietician - one who is willing to get to know you, and explore what your actual issue is (not just assume face stuffing)
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Lots of people here crying out 'bad dietician' - I don't know about that, the dietician will be working off this client's file - and we don't know the full story, it may be completely appropriate, but OP just doesn't want to do it/is worried about struggling with it (understandable). If you feel your doctor has written assumptions, and you feel that things on your file are not true - you need to confront a professional you're working with about it. On paper this may be a perfectly reasonable course of action.
Lower fat diets are easier to restrict calories on - stick to a high proportion of vegetables, and seeds over all - soups are a good idea, ones made from scratch boiling in water are the best option. Hot, calorie free/low drinks will help keep you feeling full - oxo drinks / coffee/tea/low cal hot chocolate. - Remove "bulkers" from your diet - breads/pasta - and try to stick to very nutrient dense foods only. - This is a very restrictive diet, but as you know it's temporary.
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Just wanted to add that VLC should be performed under supervision - that means observations from several times daily - twice per week (minimum). Anything else is not acceptable.0 -
I've been given a diet by my dietitian for twelve weeks, I was hoping people could help me find ways to makes this diet less of a strain, e.g. vegetable recipes i.e. soups/stews/roasted etc.
-Can add spices/herbs/stock
-1000 Calories max per day.
- 2 Fruit portions 50 calories max each
-Skimmed milk allowance = 1/2 pint
-2 Portions of veg [no potatoes] = 75 calories max
-No other foods allowed.
The diet:
Breakfast: 1 meal replacement + Tea/coffee with skimmed milk allowance
Mid-Morning: Tea/Coffee or low calorie drink
Lunch: Serving of salad/vegetables + 1 portion of fruit.
Mid-Afternoon: 1 meal replacement
Evening Meal: Serving of vegetables/ Salad
Bed-Time: 1 meal replacement.
OK bad dietitian! I was put on this diet 800-1000 calories by my specialist (a DOCTOR) and my food diary is open if you want to look (check out the week of the 7th)... I eat normal foods, high protein is the key to keep your hair and body health up. This person has taken away your protein and these meal replacements are crazy! Even if you lose the weight you will not keep it off when you go back to real food. Plus I'm sure they are getting a $ kickback for the replacements. you need a new dietitian! As for soups you can buy them, Campbell's makes some great ones for low calorie that are great.
Not necessarily... I was given a list of suggested whey protein isolate replacements that I could use. I just went to GNC and bought them. The doctor didn't make a dime from them, she simply suggested ones that were good quality protein with no added sugar.... ALSO, if she's losing weight prior to a laproscopic abdominal surgery, the diet may be specifically related to that in order to shrink her liver and reduce visceral abdominal fat.0 -
I am usually on the 'eat more' side. However, I think that people are way too quick to jump on the band wagon without actually thinking about it. It reads to me like the OP is having problems with weight loss and has been working with health care professionals for some time to determine what is going on- blood tests have revealed nothing that would hinder weight loss and many of the standard strategies aren't working, so they are recommending lower calories as an experiment. The 1000 calorie diet is not that much lower than the 1200 calorie diet (why do we draw magic lines in the sand anyway?) and I seriously doubt it's going to be a permanent strategy anyway. And a short term diet of 1000 calories when supervised by medical professionals is not that dangerous for someone who has 80 lbs to lose.
So perhaps we should throw fewer stones at the dietitian, who is doing what I think most dietitians would do when presented with a difficult case (experiment to find out what works).
Meanwhile, there's nothing wrong with giving the OP suggestions... such as: usually when people can't lose it's because they are underestimating what they are eating. Are you measuring out your food carefully with a food scale?
As for your original question, it's hard to add variety to a diet like that... you might just have to suck it up and deal with the low variety for a while if you want to lose weight. I wish i had a better response...
Best of luck to you!0 -
This.I am usually on the 'eat more' side. However, I think that people are way too quick to jump on the band wagon without actually thinking about it. It reads to me like the OP is having problems with weight loss and has been working with health care professionals for some time to determine what is going on- blood tests have revealed nothing that would hinder weight loss and many of the standard strategies aren't working, so they are recommending lower calories as an experiment. The 1000 calorie diet is not that much lower than the 1200 calorie diet (why do we draw magic lines in the sand anyway?) and I seriously doubt it's going to be a permanent strategy anyway. And a short term diet of 1000 calories when supervised by medical professionals is not that dangerous for someone who has 80 lbs to lose.
So perhaps we should throw fewer stones at the dietitian, who is doing what I think most dietitians would do when presented with a difficult case (experiment to find out what works).
Meanwhile, there's nothing wrong with giving the OP suggestions... such as: usually when people can't lose it's because they are underestimating what they are eating. Are you measuring out your food carefully with a food scale?
As for your original question, it's hard to add variety to a diet like that... you might just have to suck it up and deal with the low variety for a while if you want to lose weight. I wish i had a better response...
Best of luck to you!0 -
This.I am usually on the 'eat more' side. However, I think that people are way too quick to jump on the band wagon without actually thinking about it. It reads to me like the OP is having problems with weight loss and has been working with health care professionals for some time to determine what is going on- blood tests have revealed nothing that would hinder weight loss and many of the standard strategies aren't working, so they are recommending lower calories as an experiment. The 1000 calorie diet is not that much lower than the 1200 calorie diet (why do we draw magic lines in the sand anyway?) and I seriously doubt it's going to be a permanent strategy anyway. And a short term diet of 1000 calories when supervised by medical professionals is not that dangerous for someone who has 80 lbs to lose.
So perhaps we should throw fewer stones at the dietitian, who is doing what I think most dietitians would do when presented with a difficult case (experiment to find out what works).
Meanwhile, there's nothing wrong with giving the OP suggestions... such as: usually when people can't lose it's because they are underestimating what they are eating. Are you measuring out your food carefully with a food scale?
As for your original question, it's hard to add variety to a diet like that... you might just have to suck it up and deal with the low variety for a while if you want to lose weight. I wish i had a better response...
Best of luck to you!
why cant you quote properly!?0 -
I actually hold several certifications.What works for you may not work for all. 1200 calories seems to work for me. Who are you to judge? What certifications do you hold?
Advice like yours is just as bad as the OP'S dietician.Most people on here are going to tell you to up your calories despite the fact that you are working with a professional. I hAve been on every diet you can think of and even the ones that come with pre packaged measured food I have difficulty loosing weight.
For me to lose weight I have to either
1) cut calories to 1000-1200 a day or
2) exercise 90-120 minutes a day and eat approx 1500 calories a day or
3) do Atkins or a low carb diet
I have meticulously counted my calories over the past month measure everything and using a food scale. For the last 30 days I averaged 1496 calories a day. I have done moderate exercise about 30 min 4x a week of which twice is with a trainer. also I have a 3 month old a two year old and a twelve year old whom I would say keep me pretty active. I lost 11 pds in the first 10 days when I averaged 1236 calories and have stayed the same since then. So I have decided to stick to 1200 calories for the next month and track my progress. Every body is different, I'm guessing my bmr is lower than the average person my age/weight and I may have underling medical issue but haven't figure that out yet.
Here is one recipe I find helpful when Im hungry and don't have a lot of calories to spare:
low cal cream of broccoli soup in my vitamix.
I just threw in about a cup of leftover broccoli
3 baby carrots
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup water
1 bouillon cube
Dash of chili powder
( I usually add a chunk of tofu for creaminess and protein but ran out and it was awesome anyway)
Threw in the vitamix and put it on soup setting. Or you can throw in a regular blender then heat on the stove or microwave.
And you promoting that people should net 1000 calories or less is irresponsible and reckless. I think you should educate yourself a little better when it comes to nutrition.
Unfortunately, there are medical conditions that (can) require either a) consuming a ridiculously low number of calories paired with a lot of exercise, or b) doing an "extreme" diet like Atkins. Endocrine issues are far from uncommon among women, and it largely stems from the fact that those of us with them can't really handle the low-fat/high-carb way of eating that has been pushed on us for decades. We're "incompatible," so to speak, and our body, for whatever hormonal reason, doesn't react to a sane calorie deficit of the typical Western diet by burning body fat, but rather by clocking down our processes (ie - slows metabolism). As such, unless we change the mechanism by which our body burns fuel (ie - do Atkins, keto, or something similar), some of us have to gross sub-1000 calories in order to lose weight (because that small of an amount defeats the initial clocking-down reaction and forces the body to start burning stored energy).0 -
I am usually on the 'eat more' side. However, I think that people are way too quick to jump on the band wagon without actually thinking about it. It reads to me like the OP is having problems with weight loss and has been working with health care professionals for some time to determine what is going on- blood tests have revealed nothing that would hinder weight loss and many of the standard strategies aren't working, so they are recommending lower calories as an experiment. The 1000 calorie diet is not that much lower than the 1200 calorie diet (why do we draw magic lines in the sand anyway?) and I seriously doubt it's going to be a permanent strategy anyway. And a short term diet of 1000 calories when supervised by medical professionals is not that dangerous for someone who has 80 lbs to lose.
So perhaps we should throw fewer stones at the dietitian, who is doing what I think most dietitians would do when presented with a difficult case (experiment to find out what works).
Meanwhile, there's nothing wrong with giving the OP suggestions... such as: usually when people can't lose it's because they are underestimating what they are eating. Are you measuring out your food carefully with a food scale?
As for your original question, it's hard to add variety to a diet like that... you might just have to suck it up and deal with the low variety for a while if you want to lose weight. I wish i had a better response...
Best of luck to you!
Yep I have a digital scale i'm using, found out I can make a lot of mushroom soup with 100g of mushroom lol,
I think my dietitian is doing the best he can with the data available, to be fair to him, he's looked through my written diary, asked about blood tests [thyroxine only], previous diet programs, if I'm on medications that would affect my weight, activity level and have I been referred for gastric banding, he found my doctors opinion that I stuff myself ridiculous saying I was starving myself, and said this diet was the only course of action available...0 -
I've been given a diet by my dietitian for twelve weeks, I was hoping people could help me find ways to makes this diet less of a strain, e.g. vegetable recipes i.e. soups/stews/roasted etc.
-Can add spices/herbs/stock
-1000 Calories max per day.
- 2 Fruit portions 50 calories max each
-Skimmed milk allowance = 1/2 pint
-2 Portions of veg [no potatoes] = 75 calories max
-No other foods allowed.
The diet:
Breakfast: 1 meal replacement + Tea/coffee with skimmed milk allowance
Mid-Morning: Tea/Coffee or low calorie drink
Lunch: Serving of salad/vegetables + 1 portion of fruit.
Mid-Afternoon: 1 meal replacement
Evening Meal: Serving of vegetables/ Salad
Bed-Time: 1 meal replacement.
Is this pre bariatric surgery? That is the only ONLY reason for something like this-coming from an RD...I cannot see any reason to go this low on calories unless you are pre op...and even then 12 weeks seems WAY too long for something like this.0 -
Unfortunately, there are medical conditions that (can) require either a) consuming a ridiculously low number of calories paired with a lot of exercise, or b) doing an "extreme" diet like Atkins. Endocrine issues are far from uncommon among women, and it largely stems from the fact that those of us with them can't really handle the low-fat/high-carb way of eating that has been pushed on us for decades. We're "incompatible," so to speak, and our body, for whatever hormonal reason, doesn't react to a sane calorie deficit of the typical Western diet by burning body fat, but rather by clocking down our processes (ie - slows metabolism). As such, unless we change the mechanism by which our body burns fuel (ie - do Atkins, keto, or something similar), some of us have to gross sub-1000 calories in order to lose weight (because that small of an amount defeats the initial clocking-down reaction and forces the body to start burning stored energy).
Does the endocrine system release other chemicals related to weight besides thyroxine?0 -
Is this pre bariatric surgery? That is the only ONLY reason for something like this-coming from an RD...I cannot see any reason to go this low on calories unless you are pre op...and even then 12 weeks seems WAY too long for something like this.
No it isn't, my doctor has told me despite my referral from another GP that I will not receive bariatric surgery as my BMI isn't high enough at 43.0 -
I can't believe that you went on a low carb diet (such as Adkins where you only eat 20-24 carbs a day) and you did not lose any weight. Seems crazy to my pee brain. LOL0
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No it isn't, my doctor has told me despite my referral from another GP that I will not receive bariatric surgery as my BMI isn't high enough at 43.
We recommend surgery for people with a BMI of 40 or higher, that have exhausted other methods of weightloss actually. So I'm not sure wth is going on with your local service.0
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