Have you heard of the Calorie Restriction Diet?  It is a program where restricting caloric intake can extend your life.  A side effect of this is weight loss. One of FitFiend.com's members, HungryLiz, is on a 2 year plan for this Diet.  We had the opportunity to sit down with her to find out more about Calorie Restriction.  

So, what exactly is the Calorie Restriction Diet?

A Calorie Restricted (CR) diet is simply a diet where you consume fewer calories than you burn in a day.  The purpose is not specifically to lose weight (although it is a side effect), but to improve the quality of life by slowing the aging process.  This is a quote from the Calorie Restriction Society website: "Since the 1930's extensive scientific research has shown that calorie restricted (CR) diets improve health and extend life spans of nearly every species tested, including worms, spiders, rodents, dogs, cows and monkeys." I am participating in a research study specifically looking at the effects of calorie restriction in humans.  Throughout the course of the study (2yrs) I will consume 25% fewer calories than what I burn in a typical day (1670, 2226).

How did you get involved with this 2 year diet?

This is one of my favorite questions to answer! It is all thanks to Alan Alda, and the TV show Scientific American Frontiers. The episode that inspired me was "Never Say Die," where Alan Alda interviewed Drs. Roy Walford and Rick Weindruch, two scientists studying the effects of CR in animals. I am a graduate student and I work with mice studying genes involved in proper heart function. Mice usually live about 2 years, and I have personally worked with 2 year old mice - their fur is falling out, they lay at the bottom of the cage, and are generally unhappy. So in the TV show when they show 2 year old calorie restricted mice running around the cage, acting like 3month old mice, I knew CR was amazing! I did some web research, found out more information about CR and current studies doing human research, and volunteered for this study.

How exactly does the diet work?  Do you have to cut out certain foods?

No- nothing is off-limits! You just have to stay within your calorie prescription everyday. So, let's say, I go to a certain fast food restaurant and eat a small cheeseburger, a small order of French fries, and a water. That is approximately 580 calories- leaving me only about 1000 left for the rest of the day. Obviously, that meal is not a healthy choice and I should not do that everyday, but as long as I stay within my calorie range, then that is fine!

It seems like you get to eat a lot of foods you like.  How exactly is this a diet?

Ha! I guess that implies that all diets are cruel and unusual punishment or some kind of self-imposed torture! And I am sure at times it will feel that way.  But to answer your question- it is a 'diet' because my consumption is limited.

So weight loss is just a side effect of the diet, are there any other side effects?

During the 'baseline' phase of the study, the researchers took a bunch of different measurements: VO2 max, DEXA scans (bone density), resting metabolism, glucose tolerance test, psychological tests, muscle and fat biopsies, and a bunch of blood tests that probably included cholesterol, insulin, and additional hormones.  I am not sure what they expect to change or even what I will notice- so I am not sure of any additional side effects other than the 'slowed aging process.'

How do you stay motivated to stick to your diet?

I remember the mice. For now it is working, I may have to reassess after a few months but for now the mice and thinking about how I am helping science is enough motivation for me.

Do you think you might cheat?

I don't think so. I would be very disappointed with myself if I did. I know how hard it is to get results from any scientific experiment, so I would never intentionally sabotage anyone else's data. Also the therapists and dietitians are very supportive, letting me know now that there will be days when I am over my calories or times in my life that will be difficult to stick to any diet but there are resources in place to me to help me get through it and stick to my goals. If I were doing this for myself, by myself- I would not last a day! But somehow having to be accountable for a larger purpose, to a group of people counting on me, should make all the difference.

What is the biggest challenge about the diet?

I think it is going to be the social aspect of eating and drinking. So many of the things we do for entertainment involve food and alcohol. It is going to be difficult to attend parties, go out to dinner, and generally socialize with friends and family while maintaining a constant count of my calorie intake. I hope things will get easier the more aware I become of calorie content in certain foods.


What are you going to miss most?

I said pasta in my blog--  but really I think I am going to miss thoughtless eating the most. Not having to count calories, monitor everything I eat, and check and balance everything. After a while I am sure it will become a habit but I will miss not having to think about my food.

Will being on this CRD impact how much you can exercise?
Yes. In these 2 years I will never be able to change the amount of calories I consume. So I can not work out too hard or else I will be hungry and not able to eat more. The study recommends 30min, 5 days a week- or around 3 hours/week.

It's only been a few weeks, but what have you learned so far about yourself and dieting?

The first big thing I learned was that 1670 calories is not totally unreasonable and that I am not starving. I actually feel fine, not much different than before- which is very good. I think if I felt deprived it would be a long road ahead.

Where can we find more information on the Calorie Restriction Diet?

Here are a few websites:
http://calerie.dcri.duke.edu/index.html
http://www.pbs.org/saf/ (search Never Say Die to watch the episode I mentioned)


Do you have any advice for people embarking on their own diets?

Find a support system. Find people who will keep you honest, it is a lifestyle change, not something temporary so you need as much support as you can get. Go to group meetings. Don't do it alone.


And don't forget, you can check out HungryLiz's great blog here to find out more details about how she is faring on this diet.