What is a VLCD Diet Plan?
What is a VLCD?
A very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) is a weight loss plan consisting of specially formulated foods which are 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. exceptionally, A VLCD is an exceptionally well-evidenced weight loss programme which provides you with a unique opportunity to reshape your weight and look forward to a slimmer you.
“Following extensive scientific studies and clinical trials, the published data demonstrates that VLCDs can help you lose weight in a scientifically proven, healthy way. LighterLife’s own 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
The LighterLife TotalFast Programme – LighterLife’s VLCD
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 VLCD, 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 should 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?
- This very carefully formulated programme which affords a specific nutrition alongside a very low calorie intake each day is the result of years of research studies, all rigorously assessed. In very simply terms, your body gets its energy from various sources including recently eaten food, your glycogen stores (carbohydrate stores mostly in your muscle), and from your fat stores too. A VLCD plan like TotalFast ensures that specially formulated low calorie levels of the diet mean that everyone will lose weight in a scientifically proven safe and healthy way. Data shows It’s a healthy way to reduce weight and keep it off, and scientific research confirms its efficacy too.
And £ for lb, TotalFast is the cheapest, quickest way to lose weight according to ITV’s “Save Money: Good Health” programme.
Why is LightetLife’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 science and research are there supporting TotalFast?
LighterLife works closely with accredited manufacturers and ingredients 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 decades funded by big 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 put Type 2 Diabetes in remission in a range of studies. Because of this, as part of its long term plan, the NHS have 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, that your body needs to run smoothly.
In addition to burning these 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 this is because your body has ‘metabolically switched’ to burning the excess stored fat, which is used as fuel alongside your four daily Foodpacks.
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 into before it can be used by your body for fuel) have been shown in various 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?
As stated earlier, yes VLCDs have a proven safety record and are 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 up to several months if that’s what they‘ve needed to do to lose weight.
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 VLCD?
Light to moderate exercise is advisable, but intense physical activity may not be suitable due to the lower 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 VLCD?
VLCDs can lead to improvements in health markers like blood sugar levels and cholesterol.
How To Get Started on Your VLCD.
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?
