Diet Approaches Based on Macronutrient Composition
Low Calorie
Low-Energy Diet
Low-energy diets have a low number of total calories, about 800 to 1,200 kilocalories per day (kcal/ d). Those less than 800 kcal/d are known as very low-energy diets.
Advantages
Rapid weight loss
Useful for overweight/obese populations
May improve health markers
Disadvantages
Increased risk of muscle loss
Decreased athletic performance
Increased risk for micronutrient deficiencies
Increased hunger and difficult adherence
Low Fat
Low-Fat Diet
A diet with fat intake around 20 to 35% of total calories.
Advantages
Reduced body weight and body fat
Improved health markers
Disadvantages
Limits food choices
May decrease certain sex hormones
Potentially difficult adherence
Low-Carb
Low-Carbohydrate Diet
A diet where carbohydrate content is 40% or less of total calories.
Advantages
Reduced body weight and body fat
Improved health markers
Avoidance of hyperpalatable (sugary) foods
Disadvantages
Suboptimal diet for certain athletes
Potential for increased cholesterol consumption
Potentially difficult adherence
Ketogenic
Ketogenic Diet
A diet where carbohydrate content is less than 5% of total calories, protein intake is moderate (20 to 30%) and fat intake is high (65 to 75%).
Advantages
Effective for patients with epilepsy
Weight loss
Improved health markers
Avoidance of hyperpalatable (sugary) foods
Disadvantages
Potential for increased LDL cholesterol
Potential nausea and vomiting at initiation of diet
Potential fatigue and headaches at initiation of diet
Potentially difficult adherence
High-Protein
High-Protein Diet
A diet containing more than 25% of total calories from protein.
Advantages
Weight loss
Muscle gain when combined with resistance training
Improved health markers
Disadvantages
Potentially dangerous for people with existing kidnev disorders
May restrict fiber intake if fiber-rich foods are not consumed
Potentially difficult adherence