Diet Very Low in Calories

Written by Sky Taylor, Diet Bites

Is a diet plan that is very low in calories a healthy mode for weight loss results?

If you are considering a diet that is very low in calories, we recommend that you back away and quickly rethink doing such.

A diet that is very low in calories can do irreversible damage to the body. Although dieters commonly think of food as 'Calories', food is 'Energy' to the body. Without sufficient energy, the body cannot perform efficiently.

How many calories should you consume while dieting? The following chart designed by Diet Bites provides an excellent idea of the number of calories your body requires based on weight.

Let's provide a couple of examples which can explain how you can use the chart as a pattern is establishing your weight loss goals, as well as the number of base calories for the day.

Let's assume that Holly currently weighs 175 pounds. Her recommended weight is 120 pounds. That was simple enough, wasn't it?

Now, let's use the data to determine why Holly currently weighs more than her recommended weight. And yes, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that she is consuming too many calories - but how many? That information can greatly assist her in her weight loss planning.

The number of calories required to support her 175 pound current weight equals 2,275. The number of calories necessary to support her recommended weight equals 1,560. If we subtract this number from the 2,275 figure we'll find out how many calories Holly is consuming in excess which is thereby keeping her weight at a steady 175 pounds. The answer is of course 715 calories - and keep in mind that the body is recognizing those as energy calories.

Maintaining Body Weight Factors

Now as long as Holly continues to consume about 2,275 calories per day, her weight will remain steady. In fact, her weight gain occurred when she started consuming more than 1,560 daily calories. The excess energy from the food and drink she consumed were stored in the fat cells, thus producing weight gain. If Holly begins to consume more than 2,275 energy calories - she'll gain more weight as the excess energy become stored in the fat cells.

It's vital to keep in mind that the numbers in our chart below should be only used as a pattern in establishing caloric daily values that will assist in reaching recommended weight. It's also important that energy in is balanced with energy out. The body needs energy to perform functions within - from the beating of our heart, to the digestive process. And we can help it burn more energy via activity.

Now let's take a look at Dieter Herman who weighs 210 pounds. His recommended weight is 160 pounds so he needs to lose about 50 pounds of fat. His current energy consumption equals 2,730 and keep in mind that these are 'base caloric needs'. If Herman is active he can consume even more energy and still remain steady at 210 pounds.

If Herman wants to lose those 50 pounds, he can go on a 2,080 calorie daily diet and accomplish such quite easily. And with this number of available energy calories - his daily menu will be quite satisfying.

As to Holly, she can certainly accomplish the same results. Both she and Herman will need to stick with the calories necessary to support their recommended weight even after those unwanted pounds are gone - or they will regain the weight. Not only will they regain the weight, but because of the number of fat cells that remain in their body - although a vast of them now remain empty, they will experience weight gain much easier than an individual who has never been overweight.

Calories Needed to Support Body Weight Chart

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