A significant statistic was recently released on the number of Americans suffering from diabetes or pre-diabetes. Over 100 million Americans are suffering from one of these two conditions and this number is only expected to rise with time. Processed food and junk food does us more harm than good and sadly, many people do not know their limits. If you continue to consume junk foods, it will lead to weight gain and you might suffer from either high blood pressure or high levels of sugar in the blood.

Why suffer from these diseases in the first place when you can control what you eat? Living a life dependant on pills and medications is not appealing and hence exercising and following a proper diet is essential. Of the many diet plans available in the market today, the 1200 calorie diet plan is quite popular and with good reason. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of this diet plan and help you determine whether it is worth taking up or not.

What is the 1200 calorie diet plan?

The 1200 calorie diet plan is believed to be very effective when it comes to tackling weight loss. Our bodies require a certain amount of energy to function and in order to maintain a healthy look. We get this energy from the food items we eat and following an intake of just 1200 calories per day encourages the burning of stored fats in the body. Hence, this way, your body will lose weight while compensating for your limited calorie intake. While maintaining the requirement of nutrients, avoiding junk food and maintaining a lowered calorie intake, the body should respond well and help you achieve the weight you dream of. While this will take time, the method is spot on. The details of the 1200 calorie diet are given below:

• Waking Up
  Avoid drinking tea or coffee with milk when you wake up. Instead, try consuming green tea as the benefits of green tea are well known, so try to incorporate green tea into your diet today. While it may not be the tastiest, its utility and health benefits outweigh its taste.
• Breakfast
  Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so make it large and healthy at the same time. You can have up to 300 calories for breakfast so try to eat eggs, groundnuts and mixed vegetable juice among other things. Do not starve yourself or skip meals as it will end up doing you more harm than good. Have a solid breakfast so that you do not feel hungry for a long time.
• Lunch
  Vegetables, brown rice, and poached egg whites are among a few food items you should have for lunch. Lunch is another important meal so do not skip it however busy you may be.

Dinner
Dinner is another important meal when it comes to the 1200 calorie diet plan. You can enjoy a serving of chicken or lean meat. You can also enjoy vegetables and lentils for dinner. Do not eat too much and maintain your goal of having no more than 1200 calories per day.

Pros

• The diet plan is quite healthy if the required amount of nutrients needed by an individual is consumed on a daily basis.
• As you are having normal meals without having to skip any, you will not feel exhausted or hungry.
• The diet plan can be modeled according to the food items that you eat.
• The 1200 calorie diet plan will eventually lead to a loss in weight as its underlying method is sound and fail-proof.

Cons

• It can be quite challenging to balance the 1200 calorie diet plan taking into consideration all the mentioned food groups.
• While the diet will lead to weight loss, the chances are that you may start gaining weight again if you stop the diet.
• Maintaining a daily consumption of 1200 calories may not suit everyone.
• If you are a working individual, it may be quite difficult to maintain the calorie count if you are eating outside.
• The diet plan will not work for those people who go to the gym.

After reviewing the pros and cons of the 1200 calorie diet plan, make a decision for yourself. The pros certainly do outweigh the cons but in the end, it is a decision which is only in your hands. Weight loss is necessary as being overweight is a risk factor for the onset of several diseases. Lose weight and practice a healthy way of life to avoid contracting unwarranted diseases. Avoid eating junk food and exercise on a daily basis alongside following the 1200 calorie diet plan. You can also consult a doctor before starting, in case you are suffering from some lifestyle diseases already.