Why is LighterLife’s Very Low Calorie Diet different?
Why is LighterLife’s Very Low Calorie Diet Different?
A very low calorie diet (VLCD) is a weight loss plan consisting of specially formulated foods intended to replace the whole of the daily diet. A VLCD is designed to support you in that all important first phase of successful lifelong weight management and is healthy way to reduce weight and keep it off.
Both safe and effective, a VLCD works by replacing all your daily conventional food with four Foodpacks from our delicious range of products, whilst providing you with between 600-800 calories and a careful balance of nutrients.
VLCDs are widely recognised in helping individuals lose weight safely and comfortably and as far as food-based weight loss plans go, they are one of the most researched out there.
The low calorie levels of the diet mean that everyone will lose weight and data shows that hundreds of thousands of individuals have followed a VLCD with fantastic results. A VLCD is an exceptionally well-evidenced weight loss programme which provides you with a unique opportunity to reshape your weight and create a slimmer you.
“The published data from extensive scientific studies and clinical trials demonstrates that VLCDs can help you lose weight in a scientifically proven, healthy way. LighterLife’s own research data from hundreds of thousands of clients who’ve achieved life-changing weight loss using our one-of-a-kind VLCD with behavioural change support backs this up too. Not only have VLCDs been shown to be extremely beneficial for a wide range of health conditions, they also have a very well documented safety record.” says Kelly Johnston, LighterLife’s Head of Nutrition and Research
Very Low Calorie Diet – The LighterLife TotalFast Programme.
If you’ve got at a stone or more to lose, and you don’t want to hang onto it any longer, choose our premium very low calorie diet, TotalFast.
What will I be eating?
Once you’re on TotalFast you’ll have four easy-to-manage LighterLife Foodpacks a day – including a wide variety of meals such as Spaghetti Bolognese, noodle-packed FastPots, hearty soups, creamy shakes, warming porridge, easy pancakes, tasty bars, and, yes, even a Chocolate Mug Cake!
These will provide you with specific amounts of healthy fats, fibre, carbohydrates, and protein, as well as the full complement of vitamins and minerals that you need to be eating each day.
So that’s between 600-800 kcal of great tasting, convenient, nutritionally complete products which will help you lose weight safely and comfortably. And we even have some added extras which you can include when you fancy something slightly different including drinks mixes, jelly and high protein popped chips, all of which will help satisfy you along your way.
Why is TotalFast so effective?
- In simple terms, your body gets its energy from a few different sources including your recently eaten food, your glycogen stores (carbohydrates found mostly in your muscle), and your fat stores. Our carefully formulated programme offers a specifically designed nutrient profile alongside a very low calorie intake each day and is the result of years of research studies, all rigorously assessed.
- A VLCD plan like TotalFast means that the low calorie levels of the diet will ensure that everyone will lose weight in a scientifically proven, safe, and healthy way.
- And did you know that £ for lb, TotalFast has been described as the cheapest, quickest way to lose weight according to ITV’s “Save Money: Good Health” programme.
Why is LighterLife’s VLCD different?
Your TotalFast programme is far more than a “diet.” It’s your chance to change your relationship with food and develop the skills you need to help keep your weight off in the longer term.
Other diets generally treat just the weight gain itself, but we help you recognise and tackle the real reason you’ve been overeating through our weekly exclusive Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Mindfulness sessions.
Plus, you’ll have unique weight-loss support from your personal Mentor, our online LighterLife client community, and much more. And the best part? All our mindfulness and Mentor support is absolutely free!
TotalFast at a glance
4 Foodpacks a day: You can choose from either 4 x 150 kcal Foodpacks or 3 x 150 kcal Foodpacks + 1 x 200 kcal meal replacement per day. Pick a combination of meals – no cooking, no weighing, no calorie counting, no fuss!
Drink unlimited amounts: Water (tap/mineral/sparkling water), black coffee, black tea from the leaf, LighterLife Savoury Broth and LighterLife sugar-free Drink Mixes are all approved whilst you’re on plan.
Additional extras: Raspberry Jelly, Mousse Mix, Fibre Mix, Popped Chips (maximum one a day on your TotalFast plan).
Essentials: Your LighterLife Programme Book is your best friend during your weight-loss journey, detailing everything you need to know while you’re on the programme. You’ll also get our handy Shaker and Sistema microwave bowl with your first month’s subscription.
Mentor support: If you haven’t done so already, you can find your personal Mentor here or email findmymentor@lighterlife.com. They’ll be able to support you every step of the way on your LighterLife journey, helping you achieve your goal weight and beyond.
What food science and research is there supporting TotalFast?
LighterLife works closely with accredited manufacturers and ingredient providers to ensure our packs contain only the best, most suitable ingredients. We have an in-house regulatory team who constantly stay abreast of any regulatory changes in both the UK and Europe, and who also regularly monitor the evidence-based science behind the use of very low calorie diets. There has been an explosion of studies in the last decade alone funded by large, reputable organisations including Diabetes UK, and the NHS, all of which have gathered robust data showing just how effective a plan like TotalFast is.
“Formula-based programmes with a behaviour change component, like TotalFast, have been shown to help put Type 2 Diabetes into remission. And more recently, the NHS has been trialling the use of programmes like LighterLife’s TotalFast programme for both treatment and prevention,” adds Kelly.
VCLD FAQs
How does a VLCD work?
With a plan like TotalFast, you’re significantly reducing the amount of calories you eat daily. So, what initially happens, is your body starts to burn the carbohydrate (glycogen) stores found in your muscles and liver, to make up some of that extra energy that you’re no longer consuming via conventional food.
In addition to burning these stored carbohydrates for fuel, you’ll also be losing the water weight stored with it and so that first 7-10 days results in a very noticeable difference on the scale. Once you’ve depleted your glycogen stores you will continue to lose weight, but this will take place a little more slowly, and is because your body has ‘metabolically switched’ to burning the excess stored fat.
So, whilst weight loss does slow down at this stage, you’re now in a fat-burning state of negative energy balance and are slowly but steadily using up your fat stores. The low calorie levels of this types of diet means that everyone will lose weight and the added bonus here is that ketone bodies (what your liver converts your fat into before it can be used by your body for fuel) have been shown in numerous studies to help suppress your appetite too. You’re now in ketosis, and are steadily losing weight.
Who should consider a VLCD?
VLCDs are recommended for anyone who is overweight or obese and who wants (or needs) to lose weight effectively using a strictly nutritionally balanced plan.
Read how Sarah’s managed to keep her weight off since 2009.
Are VLCDs safe?
Yes, VLCDs have a proven safety record and are in fact good for your health.
How long should a VLCD be followed?
In the past VLCDs have been recommended for shorter-term use, typically up to 12 weeks. That said, many of our clients for whom a VLCD is suitable have followed TotalFast for longer than this, and for up to several months if that’s what they‘ve needed to do.
To make sure our weight loss programme is suitable, all LighterLife clients are required to complete a health questionnaire when starting TotalFast to ensure they are in no way contra-indicated.
“There’s no reason to come off plan if you aren’t at your weight loss goal, simply because a defined period of time has lapsed. For those with a large amount of weight to lose, this can take many months and, provided you’re consuming the four Foodpacks per day as advised, and are generally fit and well, then you can continue as you need to. When you’re ready, you can start the process of conventional food reintroduction under our expert guidance,” says Kelly.
So, if our VLCD plan is working well for you, and you have more weight to lose, you can stay on TotalFast for as long as you need to lose your excess weight. Regular catchups with your Mentor, and other fellow LighterLife clients, can help keep you on track.
Can I exercise on a Very Low Calorie Diet Plan?
Light to moderate exercise is fine, even encouraged, but intense physical activity is not advisable due to reduced energy intake.
What are the risks of a VLCD?
There are some side effects that can be experienced whilst on a VLCD although, as always, this varies from person to person.
What are the benefits of a Very Low Calorie Diet Plan?
VLCDs can lead to improvements in health markers like blood sugar levels and cholesterol.
How To Get Started on Your Very Low Calorie Diet Plan.
So, that’s your introduction to VLCDs and to LighterLife’s TotalFast programme, which offers you an effective and scientifically backed way to achieve weight loss and look forward to a slimmer you.
Plus, with the added support of our free CBT Mindfulness sessions, and your personal Mentor, you can transform not just your body, but also your relationship with food for the long-term. Meaning you’re far more likely to keep the weight off for good too.
Are you ready to start your weight loss journey towards a healthier, lighter you?
