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Very Low Calorie Diets

Phase 1 of the eurodiet program is effectively a very low calorie diet or VLCD which refers to a diet with an energy content between 400 and 800 kcal per day. This is in contrast to a typical energy requirement of approximately 2800 kcal/day and 2100kcal.day for men and women respectively.

Undertaking a VLCD puts the body into a state of ketosis whereby the body uses fat instead of carbs. As you can see, during a VLCD you are consuming far below the calories needed on a day to day basis and hence you would expect to lose weight relatively rapidly.

However, VLCD's are extreme and are not advocated for everybody, nor can they be continued indefinitely, which is why Phase 1 is only recommended under the careful and appropriate supervision. This supervision is crucial to ensure that the composition of weight loss is healthy (i.e. 75% or more of the weight loss is fat) and also that there are no contraindicating medical conditions that may be exacerbated.

eurodiet™ is not simply a VLCD, as individuals are moved through a 4 phase diet starting with a VLCD, for a closely monitored and limited period of time and only if appropriate. The individual is then counselled through Phase 2 (low calorie, low carbohydrate), Phase 3 (controlled reintroduction of carbohydrate) with the goal to bring everyone into Phase 4 which is in line with the Department of Health's "Balance of Good Health".

eurodiet™ advocates the use of a VLCD for a period no more than 14 days in any one session which is in accordance with current NICE guidelines for obesity (NICE 2006), which recommends that VLCD be used for a maximum of 12 weeks. We also only advocate its use for those with no conflicting medical conditions and with full recommendation from the individuals GP as appropriate.

Based on evidence from randomised control trials and recent meta-analyses of previous studies (Saris 2001, Avenell 2004, Gilden & Walden 2006), it is difficult to single out behavioural therapy as a major influence on long term weight maintenance compared to any other form of active follow-up treatment. eurodiet™ uses a combined approach of diet with access to counselling as well as support and guidance on exercise and other lifestyle changes.

All individuals are screened using a detailed online health questionnaire before entry on to the diet and a program is tailor-made to the individual based on their start weight, end goals, and any existing medical conditions. eurodiet™ has a dedicated team of qualified Nurses, nutritionists, dieticians and certified counsellors available via a telephone call centre at charged at standard rate. eurodiet™ also has unique assessment and monitoring in the form of a dedicated London-based clinic for those with presenting conditions that require assessment, this service is FREE to all eurodiet™ clients. This unique combination of support and monitoring ensures that our diet is correctly and safely administered.

In contrast to other VLCD regimes, eurodiet™ products are formulated with a combination of milk, egg and pea protein ensuring a full complement of essential amino acids. The products are also complete in terms of essential fatty acids. All our products are approved by the Food Standards Agency in line with Notification of Food for Particular Nutritional Uses (PARNUT) regulations, and also adhere to current guidelines for products to be used in VLCD (Scoop 2003). Moreover, the eurodiet™ program, even during VLCD stage, advocates the use of selected fruit and vegetables to be used alongside our products ensuring natural sources of vitamins and minerals as well as the RDA levels in the products themselves.

References

SCOOP report (2002): Reports in tasks for scientific cooperation. Collection of data on products intended for use in very-low-calorie diets. Reports of experts participating in task 7.3

NICE (2006): Obesity; guidance on the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults and children. www.nice.org.uk/CG043

Avenell A, Brown TJ, McGee MA et al (2004): What are the long-term benefits of weight reducing diets in adults? A systematic review of randomised control trials. J Hum Nut Diet. 17; 317-335

Gilden TA, Walden TA (2006): The evolution of very-low-calorie diets; an update and meta-analysis. Obesity, 14, 1283-1293

Saris WHM (2001): Very-low calorie diets and sustained weight loss. Obes Res. 9, 295S-301S