Every year new methods appear with which the globalAddressing the problem of rising obesityand the 500 calorie diet appears to be a new development. However, these have been around in various forms for many years. In this article, you will learn why some people use 5:2 fasting and whether this diet plan is effective.
The upper limit for the diet is 800 calories per day. The 500 calories a day you consume is about a quarter of the recommended daily intake for adults. Accordingly, this type of diet is considered low in calories. This requires you to drastically reduce the amount of food you consume every day. Such diets use meal replacements, such as drinks or bars, at least twice a day. These diet plans are primarily intended for people who are overweight and unable to lose weight despite many attempts. For this reason, the 500 calorie diet can be dangerous and must be taken under medical supervision.
A doctor will not prescribe a 500 calorie diet until he or she has decided that it is healthy for you to lose weight. They do this by weighing your overall health concerns against the risks and potential complications of drastically restricting calories. Such a diet carries risks and should be undertaken with caution.
5:2 Fasten
Some people use a 500 calorie diet as part of the recently popular 5:2 diet plan. According to this plan, you eat around 2,000 calories a day five days a week and limit yourself to 500 calories a day on the other two days. The two days of fasting are usually notas diets back to back. However, there is very little evidence of the benefits of a 5:2 diet compared to daily calorie restriction.
The biggest dangers associated with such a diet relate to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. These can lead to health problems. In fact, most people cannot meet their vitamin and mineral needs if they consume less than 1,200 calories per day. For example, hair loss can occur if your diet lacks the mineral zinc, which is found in pumpkin seeds and beef.
So although you may lose weight, there is a risk of malnutrition, which can cause many health problems. Healthy weight loss involves consuming a variety of nutrients from different food sources, limiting portions, and burning more calories than you eat. Stick to this approach to healthily lose extra pounds and keep them off permanently.
