People who are interested in going on a very low-calorie diet (VLCD) should first consult a physician. A very low-calorie diet is any diet plan that allows 800 calories or less in a day; and the diet is overseen by a physician. The length of such a diet is relatively short, usually between 3 and 6 months. Any longer and serious health complications may arise.

Low-calorie diets and very low-calorie diets

As you can see, a VLCD is different from what a person might casually call a "low-calorie diet," which would commonly consist of 1500 to 1800 calories per day. If you're interested in something less aggressive, there are plenty of diet plans that will allow for more moderate calorie restriction.

Consult a Physician before trying a very low calorie diet

People who usually go on a very low-calorie diet are seriously overweight or suffer from severe obesity, often defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30. Children, adolescents, and pregnant women should not go on this diet. Participants usually lose 3-5 pounds per week or a total of about 50 pounds in 12 weeks. The specifics of the diet are hard to describe as the diet should be formulated by your physician to address your individual needs. Often regular food is eliminated from the diet in favor of meal replacement supplements prescribed by your doctor. You and your doctor will map out what to eat and when, as well as an overall strategy. As part of a very low-calorie diet, a physician will often prescribe behavioral therapy and physical activity.

Side Effects of the low-calorie diet

Dieters may in fact experience a number of side effects including fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. However, the side effects do tend to disappear over time. There are also more severe complications that may arise such as gallstones if you lose weight too rapidly, so be sure to consult your doctor for an appropriate plan.

	You should consult a physician before trying any diet like the one described above. It's just brainless to try and it won't likely work. There are some weight loss plans that achieve the goal of cutting calories through portion control rather than starvation. These include the Mediterranean Diet, and eDiets Weight Loss Program. More on these diets below...

Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean is comprised of a large area of land that stretches from western Spain to the Middle East. Structured after traditional lifestyle habits of those in this area, the Mediterranean Diet is ideal for people who like to cook, enjoy Mediterranean cuisine, and are interested in making a permanent lifestyle change. With very few dietary restrictions, followers of the Mediterranean Diet are allowed to eat all the things they enjoy, in moderation. Unlike the customary Western style of quickly eating large portions, the Mediterranean Diet places great emphasis on spending time on preparing and enjoying small, tasty meals. Rather than make drastic lifestyle modifications, this plan teaches people to choose low-fat, low- cholesterol foods that are packed with flavor and will leave them feeling fulfilled. The Mediterranean Diet aims to permanently improve long-term health.

eDiets Weight Loss Plan

Though eDiets.com hosts a number of different diets on their site, they also propose one of their own. The eDiets Plan is a highly personalized and customized diet plan meant to take into account every individual's different needs and goals. Whatever a person's tastes, preferences and dietary needs, this plan may be customized accordingly. Also, the plan may be changed at any time and is noted for its wide variety and good balance.