700 Calorie Diet

The culprits behind weight gain are no great mystery. Most people usually pack on the pounds because they eat too many calories and don't exercise enough. A low-calorie, balanced diet combined with a consistent exercise regimen is almost always the key to healthy, long-term weight loss. However, some people just can't wait for results. The following presents a 700-calorie diet that provides adequate nutrition levels for a short-term basis.

Limited Diet

If you are planning to drastically alter your diet to get ready for bikini season or your high school reunion, you should know that crash dieting is not only harmful to your health, it generally only provides short-term results. However, if you are intent on attempting rapid weight loss through calorie deprivation, consult your physician to monitor your health while you are limiting yourself to such a low number of calories. Then plan your diet so you're getting the most nutrition out of the calories you do eat.

The following 700-calorie diet is low-glycemic and provides decent levels of nutrition 2. Make no mistake, sticking to a 700-calorie won't be easy, and it shouldn't be followed for more than a week or two. To help curb your appetite, make sure to drink plenty of water to help give you a feeling of fullness throughout the day.

Breakfast

(150 calories) 1 bowl oatmeal
(105 calories) 1 medium banana

Lunch

(100 calories) 3 oz. smoked or poached salmon
(154 calories) Tossed salad with vinaigrette

Snack

(8 calories) 1 cup salted raw cucumber

Dinner

(152 calories) Lean baked chicken breast
(31 calories) 1 cup broccoli

Glycemic Index

Weight Gain From 5,000 Calories

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Obviously, excessive hunger is the challenge confronting those who limit themselves to 700 calories per day. The best way to manage this problem is to eat foods that have a low glycemic index 23. These types of foods include meats and most types of vegetables. Since low glycemic foods take longer to digest, they provide a steady consistent stream of energy 2. While foods with a high glycemic index tend to provide a short burst of energy only to leave you wanting more, low-glycemic foods such as broccoli, spinach, oatmeal and most salads help keep your cravings at bay by keeping blood-sugar levels steady throughout the day 23.

Things To Consider

The human body requires a certain amount of calories to function normally. Although a 700-calorie diet can provide you with a quick start toward your overall goal of weight loss, it shouldn't be followed for more than a week or two. The best way to achieve healthy permanent weight loss is to eat a steady, nutritious diet and maintain a commitment to consistent exercise habits.