Low-Calorie Diet

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Here is how to calculate a low-calorie diet:

  • Current weight x 13 = the calories/day to maintain weight

  • If you decrease calories by 500/day, it produces a 1 pound/week weight loss

  • If you decrease calories by 1000/day, it produces a 2 pound/week weight loss

  • Low calorie diets often work best by spreading the calories allowed across 5-6 small meals/day

Evidence

Remember that the goal for obese individuals is to lose 10% of their body weight. The study also found that higher-intensity interventions, e.g., physician visits, phone follow-up and/or classes, produced better results. Reference: Anderson et al. Adv Ther. 2004 Mar-Apr;21(2):61-75.

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