Caloric intake

Good day, Mr. Master,

I am seeking advice on how to proceed with weight reduction for morbidly obese clients. An acquaintance of mine has been repeatedly trying to lose weight. Currently, her parameters are approximately as follows: weight: 140kg, height: 170cm, age: 34. She is not taking any medication and is not being treated for any conditions. Currently on parental leave, she remains quite active despite her high weight, participating in 90 minutes of Zumba twice a week, Pilates twice a week, and walking with her daughter. Over the past year, she has utilized the services of nutrition counselors twice, with daily caloric intake set at 1700 kcal by one and 1800 kcal by the other. However, she could not maintain this regimen (in both cases) for more than a month, citing hunger, strong cravings for sweets, and fatigue. Despite my practically non-existent experience, the intake of 1700-1800 kcal/day seems abysmally low in this case. I personally have the unfortunate feeling that the goal of these counselors was rather for the client to have as much weight loss/visible results as possible during the period paid for with them. Or am I mistaken, and is such a low intake actually appropriate for very obese clients?

Thank you for your advice.

Finally, allow me to thank you again for your truly excellent course - Nutrition and Supplementation Counselor. The course is unparalleled in both content and your approach to students. Once again, thank you very much, and I wish you all the best.

Energy intake ranging from 1700-1800 kcal at a body weight of 140 kg may seem too low, but it does not mean that the diet is poorly conceived. When setting the energy balance, it is essential to base it on measured values of basal metabolic rate (BMR), muscle mass percentage, and the level of physical activity. It is not entirely ideal for energy intake to fall below BMR values, but in practice, such diets can be implemented short-term and they can be successful.

It is key to establish appropriate ratios of macronutrients, with a condition of sufficient protein intake (in these situations, do not hesitate to aim for a slight above-average range of 20-25% of total energy intake, because with lower energy intake, it is necessary to support muscle metabolism activity and simultaneously increase the level of satiety). Due to the need to avoid unnecessary fluctuations in blood glucose levels, focus on preferring sources of complex carbohydrates (preferably in the form of whole grains, while avoiding flour products). Lastly, increase fiber intake (primarily from sources like legumes and vegetables), as it increases the level of satiety.

If a client is transitioning from a dietary regimen that caused weight gain to a reducing one, it is natural that they will experience feelings of hunger and fluctuations in blood glucose levels, which can never be completely avoided.

This is the basic framework to work with in such situations. It is not a 100% guarantee that it will work for everyone; in cases of certain metabolic disorders causing weight gain (thyroid dysfunctions, etc.), it is necessary to adapt the diet to the individual's needs.