("Very Low Calorie Diets"). Some risks may be associated with both the LCD and the VLCD. Side effects of a very low calorie diet may include fatigue, nausea, or constipation ("Very Low Calorie Diets"). The formation of gallstones may also accompany the rapid weight loss associated with the VLCD ("Very Low Calorie Diets"). A low calorie diet like those recommended by the NHLBI may result in fewer side effects.

A low calorie diet may become a relatively long-term solution to chronic health care issues that require weight loss and maintenance. The VLCD is more suitable for short-term use. In the case with severely obese individuals with health care issues, use over several months may be necessary. However, in the long-term, doctors and their patients should work together to craft an eating regimen that is low in calories yet enjoyable enough that the individual incorporates it as part of an overall lifestyle change.

Maintaining either the low calorie or very low calorie diets might be difficult for any number of reasons. Difficulty in social situations may prompt some individuals to break the diet on a...

Side effects like fatigue or food cravings may also cause some individuals to go off their diets. The two low calorie diet plans suggested by the NHLBI are quite limiting. Doctors who closely supervise their patients can help them navigate through such pitfalls and perhaps recommend alternative low calorie or very low calorie plans more suitable for their lifestyle.
References

American Dietetic Association. (2002). "Weight Management." Journal of the American Dietetic Association 102: 1145-1155. Retrieved 20 Oct 2007 at http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/advocacy_adar0802_ENU_HTML.htm

Lower Calorie, Lower Fat Alternative Foods." Retrieved 20 Oct 2007 at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/lcal_fat.htm

Sample Reduced Calorie Menus." Retrieved 20 Oct 2007 at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/sampmenu.htm

Very Low Calorie Diets." Weight Control Information Network. Retrieved 20 Oct 2007 at http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/low_calorie.htm