How Do Calorie Restriction Diet Plans Work?

When answering that question, we need to define what we mean by 'work'.  If the diet plan causes weight loss at the cost of other health complications, does that 'work'?  If it doesn't cause weight loss, but increases lifespan (as found in the lab rat study), is that considered 'working'?  If the diet causes weight loss but is non-sustainable or non-viable in the practice of living life, does that 'work'?

A Calorie Restriction Diet Plan drastically reduces the number of calories you intake, but pays close attention to the nutritional value of the few calories you do intake.  Recent studies on lab rats have shown that calorie restriction diets increase the lifespan of the rats dramatically, without any adverse impacts on their health.  The important factor is the nutritients found in the food that is permitted.  For example, simply reducing the number of calories isn't necessarily healthful.  (You could trade a normal dinner for a candy bar...there are less calories in the candy bar, but fewer nutrients.)

In essence, even a program like WeightWatchers could be considered a Calorie Restriction Diet Plan, as it focuses on consuming fewer calories, but the calories need to come from certain foods (to get the nutrition needed for the metabolism).  There's no arguing that WeightWatchers diets are effective.

But other programs, such as 3-Day Diets, or 'crash' diets are also considered Calorie Restriction Diet Plans.  These are typically unhealthy because the amount of reduction is severe and it involves depriving the body of nutrients.  It throws the body for a curve, tricks it into temporarily losing weight.

A Calorie Restriction Diet Plan will only work if it's sustainable. Plans that don't involve accountability and support are likely in trouble from the outset.

Linda - http://how.best-free-information.com - The "How" Blog