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What is Calorie Shifting?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Calorie shifting is an idea espoused in several books and diet programs, particularly the Idiot Proof Diet. This diet in particular suggests that people tend to be able to lose weight on other diets, by reducing carbohydrates or calorie intake, but then quickly gain the weight back because the metabolism adjusts to a lower calorie intake, and slows down accordingly. The Idiot Proof Diet, and other diets like the zig-zag diet propose that you have to keep the metabolism “guessing” so it doesn’t prevent weight reduction by slowing down to accommodate a reduced calorie eating style.

The basic premise of calorie shifting includes the following concepts:

  • Instead of eating the same calories and types of foods each day, people evaluate total calorie needed for a week.
  • Rather than eating the same amount of calories each day to reach this total, people vary their calorie consumption amounts each day while still remaining within the total weekly calorie allotment.
  • Since the body doesn’t know what to expect, the metabolism can’t adjust or slow down because calorie intake on a daily basis will be variable.
  • Further the metabolism can’t adjust to certain foods, since foods eaten will vary in nature.
Many doctors still recommend that following a healthy eating plan and getting adequate exercise will take off weight gradually and permanently.
Many doctors still recommend that following a healthy eating plan and getting adequate exercise will take off weight gradually and permanently.

Do you really need a book to tell you how to do this? Most people who have practiced calorie shifting suggest all you really need to try this diet is a good calorie counter so you can estimate your total calorie intake for each day. Further, you do need to plan ahead so that every day you can eat a different amount of calories. If your total calorie allotment for the week works out to 1200 calories a day, some days you’d consume less than 1200 calories and other days you’d consume more.

Nausea may occur during calorie shifting.
Nausea may occur during calorie shifting.

There are some problems with diets that have you consuming less than 1200 calories a day. When you are calorie shifting down into the 1000s or 900s, some people begin to feel faint, dizzy or nauseous. At least from an anecdotal standpoint, calorie shifting, especially on very low calorie days, may be problematic. It’s recommended by many nutritionists that you don’t consume less than 1200 calories a day, especially not on a regular basis, even if you are calorie shifting to higher amounts on other days.

Some people who follow a low-calorie diet experience dizziness or lightheadedness.
Some people who follow a low-calorie diet experience dizziness or lightheadedness.

The method of changing calories from day to day certainly existed before diets like the Idiot Proof Diet. Weight Watchers® has had varied systems for years where you can change daily point or calorie intake. While some people give anecdotal evidence that these programs are very effective, there isn’t significant scientific evidence to suggest that these programs actually change your metabolic rate.

As with any diet or exercise program, you should discuss your plan to use calorie shifting with your physician. It may be that this concept works well for you. On the other hand, some doctors still recommend that following healthy eating plans daily and getting adequate exercise are more likely to help take weight off gradually, which is more likely to be permanent.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon273406

I really want to lose weight before I go back to school. I want to lose 20-30 pounds by August 15. Do you think this will work, along with sports practice four to five times a week?

anon53888

Calorie shifting did well for me. In fact I don't really have to calculate any of the calorie intake on every single meal. Just have a complete four meals a day and no snacks in between. I just need to make sure I adjust the amount of the meal I take every day in between those four meals. Combined with 15 minutes of high intense exercises twice a week for metabolism boost, it works for me.

anon43171

I weigh about 220 pounds and have been trying to lose some weight ever since. I have been scammed many times without results. Instead they kept telling me to pay more money for health tips. Please I want free advice on what to eat, how to figure out calorie intake/measurement and a weekly menu that will work for me. Thank you

anon39158

It depends how much you weigh. In general you can take the weight you would like to be and multiply it by 10 to get an estimate. For instance, 140 lbs x 10 = 1400 calories. Always try to have full meals starting with breakfast and just make sure there is some protein (fish, eggs, chicken, low fat greek yogurt) and complex carbs (whole wheat, oatmeal,brown rice) in each meal as well as 1 teaspoon of a natural fat such as cold pressed olive oil, or cold pressed seasame oil. Divide your calories into 4 meals and try to vary the caloric content, such as 350 calories for breakfast, 450 for lunch, 250 for dinner and 350 for supper. You can eat breakfast at 7 am lunch at 11, dinner at 3 and supper at 7. You might walk to start walking 20-30 minutes every day to boost your metabolism too. Good luck.

anon12424

I need to eat around 1300 calories a day to lose weight. what would a typical week of calorie shifting look like for me? What should I eat and how do I figure out how many calories I should eat each day? Does anyone have a sample weekly menu I could use? I have struggled with my weight for several years now and could really use some great advice. I don't want to pay someone $20 a month - scared of scams. I would be so honored if someone could offer some much needed free advice - Thank you so much

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    • Many doctors still recommend that following a healthy eating plan and getting adequate exercise will take off weight gradually and permanently.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Many doctors still recommend that following a healthy eating plan and getting adequate exercise will take off weight gradually and permanently.
    • Nausea may occur during calorie shifting.
      By: Alliance
      Nausea may occur during calorie shifting.
    • Some people who follow a low-calorie diet experience dizziness or lightheadedness.
      By: salagatoxic
      Some people who follow a low-calorie diet experience dizziness or lightheadedness.