What is it:
A Caloric Deficit is when you eat less calories than your body burns daily.
How it works:
Your body requires energy to keep you alive (breathing, organ function, etc.), digest food, and be physically active. When you take in less calories through food than the amount your body needs to function, your body will break down its own fat to use as energy.
Some potential health benefits:
May help you lose weight and prevent certain diseases.
May help you consume the recommended amount of calories needed to maintain a healthy weight.
Some potential health risks:
If the calories you consume do not contain all the vital nutrients, you may increase your risk of health problems, vitamin deficiencies, and disease.
Reducing your caloric intake too drastically (i.e. greater than 1000 calories per day) may affect your ability to sustain your diet and weight-loss.
Our take:
We believe that in order to lose weight and improve health, one must maintain a caloric deficit. However, it is important to take in all your recommended nutrients within this deficit in order to maintain and improve overall health. It is also important to make sure you do not decrease your calories beyond 1000 calories/day, as you may make it difficult for your body to sustain long-term.
And remember, whenever you begin to make changes to your diet, never make drastic changes, always make slow changes over a longer period of time!
Getting a coach can help you out if you need a little guidance and accountability when it comes to eating healthier! #Getacoach by going to our "Plans" page!