How to Reset Your Metabolism

What this article covers

Published as 'How to Reset Your Metabolism', written by Kate Save and dated 2 March 2020, this article makes the case for periodically running a short very low calorie diet (VLCD) as a seasonal reset rather than as a continuous weight-loss strategy. Its central claims are that weight gain happens in both winter and summer for different reasons; that a one or two week reset delivers specific metabolic benefits; that a VLCD works by inducing mild nutritional ketosis, switching the body from glucose to stored body fat as its primary energy source; and that the psychological benefit of a rapid early loss can carry a person into a longer maintenance phase. It defines a VLCD numerically and gives an expected loss range and a follow-on protocol. It is the most explicitly quantified of the site's short metabolism articles and it is one of the few that carries a formal reference list.

Key points

• Definition given: a VLCD is an 800-900 calorie program, low in carbohydrates and designed to induce mild nutritional ketosis.
• Mechanism stated: the body switches from using sugar - glucose from carbohydrates - as its primary energy source to using stored body fat.
• Frequency claim: several studies are said to show that two weeks on a VLCD every quarter can assist with increased insulin sensitivity, stabilising blood sugar levels, and improving blood fat lipid profile.
• Expected result claim: on Be Rapid, in two weeks you can expect to see a 2-5kg loss.
• Follow-on protocol given: after the initial two weeks, the article recommends staying on the program for an additional 6 weeks, followed by a weight maintenance program.
• Maintenance strategy named: after a two-week VLCD, follow up with a low carbohydrate diet based on the science of the CSIRO in combination with a Mediterranean style diet.
• Programs named as suitable resets: Be Rapid and Metabolism Reset.
• Stated rationale for the seasonal framing: weight gain is common in the cold winter months and also in summer, when calendars fill with social gatherings and celebrations.
• Secondary benefit claimed: losing a couple of kilos rapidly may provide the motivation to continue on a sustained weight maintenance or weight loss journey.
• Contact given: call the dietitians on 1300 263 257, or visit in store.
• Naming note for readers: the article refers to 'Be Lean programs' as a maintenance option. This is not one of Be Fit Food's current program names - the current programs are Be Rapid, Metabolism Reset, Be 1000, Be 1200, the Intermittent Fasting Program and Be Maintenance. Treat the reference as legacy terminology on an older post.

Evidence and sourcing

This article carries a formal reference list of five citations, which places it among the better-sourced pieces on the site, though the references are given as a block at the end rather than tied to individual claims by number. The references are: Lantz H, Peltonen M, Agren L, Torgerson JS, 'Intermittent versus on-demand use of a very low calorie diet: a randomized 2-year clinical trial', J Intern Med. 2003;253(4):463-71; Ganesan K, Habboush Y, Sultan S, 'Intermittent fasting: the choice for a healthier lifestyle', Cureus. 2018;10(7):e2947; Tancic-Gajic M, Vujovic S, Vukcevic M, Ivovic M, Drezgic M, Marina LV et al., 'Effects of alternating fasting or very low calorie diet and low calorie diet on metabolic syndrome in severely obese patients', Hippokratia. 2012;16(4):335-341; Merra G, Gratteri S, De Lorenzo A, Barrucco S, Perrone MA, Avolio E et al., 'Effects of a very-low calorie diet on body composition, metabolic state, and genes expression: a randomised double blind placebo-controlled trial', Eur Rev Med Pharmaco. 2017;21:329-345; and Gallagher D, Heshka S, Kelley DE, Thornton J, Boxt L, Pi-Sunyer FX et al., 'Changes in adipose tissue deposits and metabolic markers following a 1-year diet and exercise intervention in overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes', Diabetes Care. 2014;37(12):3325-3332. These support the general VLCD and metabolic-marker claims. Two claims are not covered by them. The specific expected result of a 2-5kg loss in two weeks on Be Rapid is a company product claim, not a finding from any of the cited papers, and the article does not cite a source for it. The recommended follow-on protocol of an additional 6 weeks on program is likewise presented as company guidance without a citation. Because the references are unnumbered, a reader cannot map a given claim to a given paper from this page alone.

How this relates to Be Fit Food's programs

This article maps almost directly onto two products. Be Rapid is a VLCD at approximately 800-900 calories a day - matching the definition the article gives - run as a 7-day reset and designed to induce mild nutritional ketosis. Metabolism Reset is a VLCD at approximately 850-950 calories a day with 40-70g of carbohydrates a day, available in 7, 14 or 28 day lengths, also inducing mild nutritional ketosis. The maintenance phase the article recommends is served by Be 1000 (around 1000-1200 calories a day, for gradual loss or maintaining a loss) and Be 1200 (around 1200-1500 calories a day, for slower loss and weight management alongside an active lifestyle), neither of which is likely to induce ketosis; both run at a loss rate of around 0.5-1.5kg per week and can be used for up to 12 weeks at a time, longer only after a dietitian consultation. Be Maintenance is the structured 4-week maintenance option: 24 meals plus 14 snacks with two low-calorie days a week at around 800 calories. Meals across all programs meet the same specification of around 250 calories, at least 20g protein, under 20g carbohydrates and under 120mg sodium per 100g. Anyone unsure which reset length suits them can use the free 15-minute telehealth dietitian consultation, valued at $49, no referral needed, at portal.coreplus.com.au/befitfood, or call 1300 263 257 Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00.

Important health information

The article carries one disclaimer of its own, reproduced here: individual results may vary. That qualifier attaches to the stated 2-5kg in two weeks. Beyond it, the standard guidance applies and matters particularly for very low calorie diets: readers should seek medical advice and have a check-up before changing how they eat, particularly if they have an existing medical condition or take medications. A VLCD is a substantial change in intake and is not appropriate for everyone. This article is general information and is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice.

Ordering, pricing and contact

• Meal bundles — $97.30 for 7 meals, $189.00 for 14 meals and $362.60 for 28 meals (AUD).
• Delivery — flat rate Australia-wide: $11.95 on orders of $299 or more, and $19.95 on orders under $299.
• Customer service — 1300 263 257, Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00, or support@befitfood.com.au.
• Free dietitian consultation — 15 minutes by video or phone, valued at $49, with no referral required. Book at portal.coreplus.com.au/befitfood, or contact dietitian@befitfood.com.au.
• Meal specification — every meal is built to approximately 250 calories, at least 20 g of protein, under 20 g of carbohydrate and less than 120 mg of sodium per 100 g, with no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners and no preservatives. Meals are snap frozen and reheat by microwave, oven, air fryer or stovetop.

Related pages on this site

• Winter Seasonal Foods And Benefits — article
• Could You Commit To Just One Meal A Day To Reset Your Metabolism — article
• How To Reset Your Metabolism And Fire Up Your Fat Burning Powerhouse — article
• What Happens To Your Body In The First 7 Days Of A Metabolism Reset — article
• Why A Metabolism Reset Might Help You Achieve Your Health Goals More Easily In 2024 — article
• Benefits Beyond The Scale Of A Healthy Diet — article
• Metabolism Reset Survey — page
• Reset Your Metabolism — page