Today, people are highly conscious about their health. Some keep an account on the amount of calories they are consuming everyday. The ideal calories required for men ranges between 2000-2500, while for women it is 1500-2000. So you can well imagine how little food you may have to eat while being on a 500 calorie diet plan. Also known as very low calorie diet (VLCD), a 500 calorie diet is implemented only under the guidance of a health nutritionist. It imposes strict restriction on consumption of carbohydrates and fats. The main source of nutrition is formed by proteins, a contributing factor to 500 calorie diet menu.
The 500 Calorie Diet Menu Plan
Reducing the calorie level to such a low figure, all of a sudden, might give rise to health complications. So you should start reducing the calorie intake gradually. This can be achieved by minimizing intake of simple carbohydrates and saturated fatty acids. If you eat the 500 calorie meals for at least two weeks, then the results will be evident soon. So here's the low calorie diet plan for you.
Breakfast
We all know that we should start our day with a heavy breakfast. But you cannot do so in a 500 calorie diet plan. A cup of skimmed milk is allowed and decaffeinated teas like chamomile, red clover and green tea is quite useful to achieve this goal. If you are having regular tea then add saccharin or stevia to it. The citrus group fruits contain very low calories and you can have them for your breakfast. Grapes, oranges, sweet limes, grape fruits, melons are healthy for breakfast.
Lunch
No tortillas, brown rice or breads for lunch! Your lunch will comprise a bowl of soup made from green leafy vegetables. Include only those vegetables that are rich in minerals and vitamins. Cabbage, broccoli, peas, chickpeas, spinach, yam and squash are some foods that must be included in this menu. If you are craving for meat, then have boiled chicken and fish without adding salt or oil. The amount of protein required by your body will be sufficed from these low calorie foods. In addition, have salads made from raw vegetables.
Dinner
You can follow the same menu for your dinner as well. 500 calorie diet recipes are prepared from oils that are completely devoid of saturated fatty acids. You can use horseradish and olive oil in minimal amount for stir frying beans and legumes. During dinner, you should have soups made from pulses, zucchini and black beans. Bake vegetables for your dinner and have it with sea food, like salmon, tuna, mackerel or sardines. This way you can satisfy your hunger with these zero calorie foods.
You may constantly feel hungry if you start this diet plan immediately. Initially, you can reduce the amount to 900 calories with the help of low calorie meals, and then to 500 calories per day. To overcome dizziness in the beginning, you can have a little snack in between. This way hunger pangs will be suppressed. Have wheat crackers, fresh popcorn and peanuts for snacks. You can also drink fresh fruit juices, free of sugar, in between breakfast and lunch, or lunch and dinner. This way you can meet the goal of a 500 calorie diet.
The idea is meant for achieving quick weight loss. You can follow this for a period of one or two months under suggestion of your doctor. People suffering from gastrointestinal disorders, low blood pressure, anemia and other types of body weakness should never think of trying it out, or else the results may prove detrimental to their health. I hope you have gathered useful information from this article.