Low-Calorie Diet

A low-calorie diet is a modification of the regular diet designed to bring about a steady loss of body weight until the reasonable weight goal has been achieved without jeopardizing nutritional adequacy.
- The diet contains a reduced amount of calories necessary to effect weight loss while the intake of other nutrients remains at normal levels.
- The consumption of concentrated foods rich in fat and sugars, which supply mainly calories, is reduced to minimum while protective foods, such as fruits and vegetables,a re emphasized.
- Alternate name: calorie-restricted diet
The Energy allowance of the client can be estimated using any of the following methods: (1) subtraction 500 or 100 kcal per day from the estimated current kcalorie intake to promote a weight loss of 1 or 2 pounds per week, respectively; or (2) compute total energy allowances based on desirable body weight and level of physical activity.

When is it used?
- Congestive heart failure
- Excess weight associated with diabetes, heart disease, gout, hypetension, and pre-surgery patients
- Hypothyroidism

How adequate is the diet?
- A nutritionally adequate diet can be relatively easily planned for diets of 1200 to 1500 kcal per day.
- Rigid caloric restriction (800-1200 kcal/day) may indicate a need for vitamin and mineral supplements.
- If moderately overweight, recommended exercise, avoidance of fat and high sugar foods.

Suggested Meal Plan
 Breakfast  
Fruit or fruit juice
Meat/fish
Plain rice/bread
Warm beverage
Artificial sugar

 Lunch/Supper 

Meat/fish

Vegetables salad or stir-fry vegetable dish

Plain rice

Fresh fruit slices or artificial flavored gelatin

 Snacks

Sandwich/pasta/noodle dish

Diet soda or artificially sweetened drinks