Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCDs)

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Published on Wednesday, 07 June 2006

These are structured diets where all meals are replaced by specific drinks, soups, bars or desserts which have been specially formulated and are nutritionally adequate  but typically provide 800 calories (some provide 500 calories). Salad, vegetables and fruit may be part of the plan plus additional fluids. They can't be bought off the shelves, and people following VLCDs require close medical and dietetic supervision.