Table 1.

Ten Takeaway Messages: Obesity and Nutrition. This table summarizes ten illustrative healthful dietary intakes as they apply to medical nutrition therapy for obesity [1].

Ten Takeaway Messages: Obesity and Nutrition
1. Health outcomes are most improved with medical nutrition therapy when the dietary interventions are evidence-based, quantitative, qualitative, and conducive to patient adherence.
2. A low-calorie diet is ∼1200–1800 kcal/day; a very low-calorie diet is generally <800 kcal/day.
3. Fat-restricted diets are often defined as 10–30% of total calories from fat.
4. Low-carbohydrate diets are generally defined as 50–150 g of carbohydrates per day; very low-carbohydrate diets contain <50 g of carbohydrates per day.
5. The intake of both ultra-processed (refined) carbohydrates and saturated fats increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The isocaloric substitution of ultra-processed carbohydrates with saturated fats does not improve cardiovascular disease risk; the isocaloric substitution of saturated fats with ultra-processed carbohydrates does not improve cardiovascular disease risk.
6. The Ketogenic Diet is a carbohydrate-restricted intervention that typically discourages unhealthful ultra-processed and refined foods, foods high in glycemic index/load, and foods rich in trans fatty acids. Ketosis may reduce hunger.
7. The Mediterranean Diet is not a defined diet, but rather a generalized meal pattern that encourages olive oil, vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, seafood, fermented dairy products, poultry, eggs, and red wine; it discourages high amounts of red meats, meat products, and ultra-processed carbohydrates.
8. The DASH Diet is a dietary pattern that encourages vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry, lean meats, nuts, seeds, legumes, fiber, foods containing calcium, potassium, and magnesium; it discourages sodium >2300 mg per day, total fat >27% of total daily calories, cholesterol >150 mg per day for a 2100 Calorie eating plan, red and ultra-processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and foods with added sugars.
9. The vegetarian diet encourages vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts and discourages meats. A vegan diet encourages vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts, and discourages all animal products.
10. Fasting (alternative day, intermittent, or time-restricted feeding) may contribute to overall caloric restriction and weight reduction.