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VERY LOW CALORIE DIET PROGRAM (VLCD)
IMPORTANT NOTICE
VLCD programs should only be used under the direct supervision of a healthcare
professional such as a doctor, pharmacist or dietitian. They should only be
used for people who are classified as obese (BMI > 30) or overweight (BMI
> 27) with medical complications associated with being overweight (e.g. high
blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol).
During the course of a VLCD program an additional 2 litres of water (or low
calorie soft drink) should be consumed each day.
KicStart™ VLCD may be unsuitable for use by pregnant, nursing or lactating
(breast-feeding) women, or by infants, children, adolescents or the elderly.
[See VLCD – PRECAUTIONS AND MONITORING for
more information]
KicStart™ — Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) Program
What is a VLCD
How do VLCDs work?
Phased VLCD programs
VLCD CONTRAINDICATIONS
VLCD – PRECAUTIONS AND MONITORING
VLCD - ADVERSE REACTIONS
What is a VLCD?
Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCD) are usually nutritionally complete formulated
liquid meals, such as KicStart™, that are available from pharmacies. They
provide a total of around 1700kJ to 3300 kJ (approximately 400 cal to 800 cal)
of energy per day. VLCDs should contain 0.8 to 1.0 grams per kilogram of ideal
body weight per day of high quality protein, the recommended daily allowances
(RDI) of minerals, vitamins, trace elements, omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids.
Normal meal replacement products can not be used as a VLCD.
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How do VLCDs work?
VLCDs provide a strictly limited amount of energy for your body to use each
day. As the amount of energy provided is less than your body needs, you will
start to use your stored fat as the main source of energy. As your body burns
your fat for energy, you will start to lose weight.
The high quality protein provided by the VLCD helps preserve your muscle mass
while your stored fat is burned for energy.
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Phased VLCD programs
Your supervising healthcare professional will design a VLCD program that will
be suitable for your individual circumstances. You should follow the instructions
from your supervising healthcare professional carefully.
VLCDs may be designed as an intensive phase (phase 1) followed by a less rigorous
healthy eating and activity weight management phase (phase 2).
Phase 1 may consist of:
1. Replacing all three meals per day for 8 to 16 weeks with KicStart™.
2. Eating 2 cups of low GI vegetables each day (in addition to the liquid meals).
3. Drinking an additional 2 litres of water each day.
4. Introducing a program of increased physical activity or light exercise into
your daily routine.
The low GI vegetables referred to in point 2 will provide you with some variety,
help you manage the desire for snacks and will boost your total daily dietary
fibre level. Some examples of the low GI vegetables that should be eaten are:
Asparagus, capsicum, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, leeks,
mushroom, onion, radishes, eggplant, spinach, tomato, zucchini and all varieties
of lettuce.
You can enhance the vegetables to suit your personal taste by adding herbs
and spices e.g. chilli, pepper, coriander, garlic.
Phase 2 may be similar to the KicStart™— Healthy Eating and Activity
Weight Management Plan and may consist of:
1. Replacing 1 – 2 meals per day with a KicStart™ milkshake.
2. Eating sensible portions of healthy foods for your remaining meals.
3. Introducing a program of increased physical activity or light exercise into
your daily routine.
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VLCD CONTRAINDICATIONS
People who have acute cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease (including
unstable angina), kidney disease, liver disease, Type 1 diabetes or severe psychological
disturbances should not be treated with KicStart™.
KicStart™ may be unsuitable for use by pregnant, nursing or lactating
(breast-feeding) women, or by infants, children, adolescents or the elderly.
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VLCD – PRECAUTIONS AND MONITORING
VLCD programs should only be used under the direct supervision of a healthcare |
