- 1200 Calorie Diet

The 1200 Calorie Diet - FAQ: All you want to know and more

If you want to lose weight, a deficit in your daily calorie intake and an increase in exercise can help you to lose those unwanted pounds. A 1200 calorie diet plan may just be the amount of calories you need to achieve your fitness goals. But with any diet plan, there are some dangers, and there are some precautions you need to take before going on the diet. Some of these diets are more balanced and healthy than others, but there are those diets that are nothing but fad diets that only concentrate on the short term benefits without worrying about the side effects.

For this reason, you should be aware of the different 1200 diets and their underlying risks, and the precautions you need to take when thinking of going on one. Let's look at some of the most frequently asked questions about 1200 calorie a day diets:

What you should know about 1200 calorie diet plans

While a 1200 calorie diet plan may work for one individual, there is no guarantee that it will work for you, as each person has individual needs, and no one diet works for every person.

There are also lots of 1200 calorie fad diets. These diets are not balanced and healthy. I would advise, that if you are thinking of going on a 1200 calorie diet plan, you try and go on diet menu that is balanced, and contains all the different nutrients and vitamins you need for a strong and healthy body.

What are the dangers of going on an easy 1200 calorie diet?

When a diet promises fast and easy weight loss (usually fad diets) you should aware as it may hold in serious risks. But even if the diet looks like a balanced 1200 calorie diet, it may still hold in some risks. Lets look at the main risks:

A risk of becoming dehydrated

Some, or most, of the weight that you are going to lose due to being on the low calorie diet stems from water loss. So it is very important to avoid becoming dehydrated by consuming lots of healthy liquids while dieting, like herbal teas and water.

A risk that your metabolism may become damaged

If you are not used to taking in so few calories, your metabolism may slow down. And if you go on fad 1200 calorie diets that encourages you to take in food from only one food group, your metabolism may slow down even more. This means that when you go back to eating normally, you may gain back more weight than you lost, because your body will be preparing for another fast.

Never learning healthy eating habits

If you are always on a diet, you may never learn how to eat healthy. To avoid this, you should make sure that your 1200 calorie diet plan teaches you to eat healthy food and that it is not just another fad diet.

Is a 1200 calorie diet safe and healthy?

This depends on the type of 1200 calorie diet you are on. If it only includes food from one food group (for example vegetables), it is most certainly not healthy. You must determine that your chosen 1200 calorie diet is healthy before going on one. You should also take the necessary precautions before going on one (like seeing a doctor to determine whether or not you are healthy enough).

What determines a healthy 1200 calorie diet?

A 1200 calorie diet can be considered healthy if it includes a variety of foods and foods from the different food groups (not only one). It shouldn't restrict carbs too much (you need it for energy) and it shouldn't exclude fats (you still need healthy fats to function). The foods should also be prepared on a healthy manner and it should be adequate to supply the body with all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals it would need to be strong and healthy.

What is good 1200 calorie diet food to include in my menu?

The following food groups should all be included in a balanced 1200 calorie diet:

  • Protein - lean meats (like skinless chicken, fish and lean red meat like sirloin and extra lean mince) and dairy products (fat free cheese, yogurt and milk)
  • Carbohydrates - Low GI and whole wheat breakfast cereals and breads, baby potato, sweet potato, durum wheat pasta and beans and pulses
  • Fats - Healthy unsaturated fats like avocado, nuts and canola oil.
  • Fruits and veggies - You must include lots of fruits and vegetables to make you 1200 calorie diet plan more healthy and to help keep you full.

What precautions do you need to take before going on a 1200 calorie a day diet?

With any new diet and exercise regime, you will have to take the necessary precautions before going on it. This will make sure that you don't hurt yourself and that you get the best results without the horrible side effects. So lets look at the precautions you need to take before going a 1200 calorie diet plan:

  • Consult with your doctor - This is the first and most important step you should take before going on such a diet. Your doctor will be able to assist you, and will be able help determine whether the specific diet is right for you as an individual.
  • Make sure your chosen diet is healthy - Have a look again at the healthy 1200 calorie diet food list. Any diet you go on should contain elements from each of those food groups. A healthy diet will teach you healthy long term eating habits.
  • Drink enough water - To avoid becoming dehydrated, drink enough water and herbal teas.
  • Reduce your exercise load - When you are consuming less calories than usual, it is important to do lighter exercises than before. But make sure you still do regular light exercise.
  • If you have bad side effects, take a break from the diet, and if the symptoms persists, go see your doctor to help you decide if you should stop the diet.
  • Stay positive - Don't focus too much on the weight you want to lose, but rather enjoy the journey. Learn to enjoy what you do and what you have, don't just focus on what you want!

What does a example 1200 calorie diet looks like?

Have a look at a sample 1200 calorie menu and decide if you will be up for it:

  • Breakfast: Half a cup of fruit salad, low fat muesli and half a cup fat free yogurt
  • Mid morning snack: 1 small banana
  • Lunch: Tuna bean salad (fat free salad dressing)
  • Mid afternoon snack: 1 small apple
  • Dinner: 2 fillets of grilled chicken (skinless) and mixed grilled vegetables (no potatoes or sweetpotatoes)
  • Evening Snack: 2 peach halves in (unsweetened) fruit juice

Conclusion

A 1200 calorie diet can be both healthy and effective for weight loss. But the important thing to remember is that it should always be balanced and healthy (like the sample 1200 calorie diet above). It is also very important to consult with your doctor before going on any new weight loss regime.

Try to go on diet that will teach you healthy eating habits and avoid fad diets. Together with a low calorie diet, you will also have to include light regular exercise with your diet. If you stay dedicated to your fitness goals, you will lose that unwanted pounds.

Just stay motivated and dedicated and you will succeed!