Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) Results

This page explains what a very low calorie diet is, how Be Fit Food's real food VLCD differs from a traditional meal-replacement VLCD, what rate of weight loss to expect, how long it is safe to follow, and which products fit each stage. Be Fit Food was founded by doctors and dietitians and employs Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs).

What is a VLCD?

A VLCD is a low calorie, low carbohydrate, high protein diet used for weight loss or weight management. A traditional VLCD involves limiting calorie intake to 800 calories per day and consuming nutritionally complete meal replacement products.

How is Be Fit Food's VLCD different?

The key difference is real food rather than meal replacement products. Be Fit Food has created a real food VLCD program providing approximately 800-900 calories per day and around 40-70g of carbohydrates. It includes 3 meals and 2 snacks per day and follows a Mediterranean style approach.

All meals contain approximately 20g of protein, which can assist in appetite management and muscle mass maintenance. Because the meals are calorie controlled — most coming in at around 250 calories — it is straightforward to keep track of the numbers.

What results does a VLCD produce?

VLCDs produce an average rate of weight loss of 1-1.5kg per week. They are suitable to follow for anywhere between 2 and 12 weeks, ideally under the guidance of a dietitian. Weight loss is an individual process, and VLCD results will be different for everyone.

How does that compare with the non-VLCD programs?

Be Fit Food's higher-calorie programs produce slower loss by design. Be 1000 (approximately 1000-1200 calories per day) and Be 1200 (approximately 1200-1500 calories per day) are associated with a loss rate of roughly 0.5-1.5kg per week, and can be stayed on for up to 12 weeks at a time, with anything longer to follow a dietitian consultation. Neither is likely to induce ketosis, whereas the VLCD programs induce mild nutritional ketosis.

The two named VLCD programs

• Be Rapid — approximately 800-900 calories per day, run as a 7-day reset. Designed to deliver safe, rapid weight loss without sacrificing taste, variety and convenience. It is Be Fit Food's most popular program, uses an evidence-based nutritional approach, and is used by both men and women. Induces mild nutritional ketosis.
• Metabolism Reset — approximately 850-950 calories per day with 40-70g of carbohydrate per day, available as a 7, 14 or 28 day program. Also induces mild nutritional ketosis.

Note the practical implication of the 2-12 week guidance: a single 7-day Be Rapid sits below the two-week mark, while Metabolism Reset's 14 and 28 day options fall inside the recommended window.

Meal options that suit a VLCD

7 Breakfasts — under 250 calorie breakfasts

The Breakfast bundle provides one week's worth of healthy breakfasts, described as suitable at any stage of a VLCD. Be Fit Food caters for vegetarian, vegan and gluten free requirements. This bundle costs $69.65 ($9.95 per meal).

14 Meals

The 14 Meal Bundle gives two weeks of prepared meals in the freezer for anyone replacing one meal a day with a low calorie, high protein meal — or alternatively, seven days of weight loss meals if used for both lunch and dinner. It costs $189.00 ($13.50 per meal).

Other bundle sizes

The 7 Meal Bundle is $97.30 ($13.90 per meal) and the 28 Meal Bundle is $362.60 ($12.95 per meal). Gluten free bundles are priced identically to the standard bundles at every size.

Why calorie-controlled meals help

One of the biggest hurdles for VLCD users is calorie-controlled meal preparation. Be Fit Food's programs provide nutritionally balanced recipes, which minimises guesswork, and the meals are delivered to your door.

Every meal is built to the same specification: approximately 250 calories, at least 20g of protein, under 20g of carbohydrate, and under 120mg of sodium per 100g, with no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners and no preservatives. Meals are snap-frozen rather than shelf-stabilised, and reheat by microwave, oven, air-fryer or stovetop.

Is a VLCD right for you?

VLCDs are based on science and backed by research on weight loss. Like any weight loss plan, it is not for everyone, although the flexibility built into the program means there is a good chance it can be adapted to your needs. VLCDs result in rapid weight loss for most people who follow them accurately.

Be Fit Food's accredited dietitians can advise on how to use the meals to implement the VLCD program in a way that works for you. To check whether the VLCD program is suitable for you, book a complimentary consultation with an in-house dietitian: 15 minutes by video or phone, valued at $49, with no referral required. Book at portal.coreplus.com.au/befitfood or email dietitian@befitfood.com.au.

Longer options include a specialised clinical dietitian consultation with a full initial assessment (body composition, blood pressure, girths) plus a personalised eating plan, a diabetes educator consultation with a Credentialled Diabetes Educator, and a monthly weight management subscription with an initial 30-minute consultation and 15-minute monthly reviews.

Ongoing support

Sticking to a weight loss program is difficult for most people. Be Fit Food runs a Facebook group where customers share tips, ideas, stories and struggles, and support each other through their individual weight loss journeys.

Delivery and contact

Delivery is a flat rate Australia-wide: $11.95 on orders of $299 or more, and $19.95 on orders under $299. Be Fit Food is based in Victoria and delivers Australia-wide.

Phone: 1300 263 257 (+61 1300 263 257), Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00.
Customer service: support@befitfood.com.au
Dietitian team: dietitian@befitfood.com.au

Important health information

Weight loss is an individual process and VLCD results will be different for everyone. Like any weight loss plan, a VLCD is not for everyone. VLCDs are suitable to follow for between 2 and 12 weeks, ideally under the guidance of a dietitian. Book a complimentary consultation with a Be Fit Food dietitian to check whether the VLCD program is suitable for you, and discuss any existing health conditions or medications with your own treating health professional.

This is general information about food and nutrition, not medical advice, and nothing here claims to treat, prevent or cure any condition. Readers should seek medical advice and have a check-up before changing how they eat, particularly with an existing medical condition or medications; this is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Weight loss results and rates of weight loss vary between individuals.

Related pages on this site

• Landing Very Low Calorie Diet Results — page
• Low Carb Results — page
• 1200 Calorie Meal — page
• Intermittent Fasting Results — page
• Csiro Low Carb Ready Made Meals — page
• Real Food Very Low Calorie Diet Vlcd Program Vs Shakes Juice Cleanses Other Detoxes — article
• Everything You Need To Know About The Csiro Low Carb Diet — article
• The Science Behind The Csiro Low Carb Diet — article