Program Overview

• Medically supervised, ketogenic weight loss program for patients who are moderately to morbidly obese
• Patients experience weight loss of 3-5 lbs per week
• Leverages meal replacements as sole source of nutrition during active Weight Loss Phase
• Four phases – Screening, Reducing (Weight Loss), Adapting (Refeeding), and Sustaining (Maintenance)
• Combines the VLCD dietary regimen with nutrition, behavior modification, and exercise education and counseling
• Physician supervised by a variety of healthcare professionals, which may include dietitians, behaviorists and exercise specialists
• Goal is to help patients achieve weight management success through reinforcement of positive behavior change

Robard offers two medically supervised Very Low Calorie Diet programs - New Direction and NutriMed. Visit their respective pages for more information.

Compare New Direction and NutriMed VLCD Programs Now

Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) Comparison

	New Direction VLCD	NutriMed VLCD
Daily Eating Occassions	4	6
Daily Carbohydrate Consumption	<50g	<60g
Orientation and Weekly Meetings	Group	Individual
Products	Hot and Cold Drinks Puddings Shakes Soups Bar	Bars Fruit Drink Pudding Shakes Soups Smoothies
Product Nutritionals	200 calories 27g protein	100-160 calories 15g protein
Private Label Program (PLP) Available	No	Yes
Eligible for Internet Distribution	No	Yes (if PLP customer)
Staff Requirements	Physician/Center Manager	Physician
Training	Onsite	Over-the-phone or onsite

Read more about New Direction or NutriMed.

Medical Q&A

What is a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD)?

• It’s a medically supervised rapid weight loss program designed for individuals with a BMI over 27 with obesity related co-morbidities. Its goal is to introduce maximum structure which affords a patient the ability to generate aggressive average weekly weight loss over an extended period of time while providing sound information on nutrition, exercise and healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Is a VLCD safe?

• Under proper medical supervision, VLCD’s produce quick, significant weight loss in patients who are moderately to extremely obese. This type of diet has been in use for several decades and has been endorsed by the NIH’s Weight Control Information Network and the American Counsel of Sports Medicine.

How do I know if a VLCD program is the right solution for my patients?

• Very Low Calorie Diets are designed for patients with a BMI over 30 or over 27 with obesity related co-morbidities such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol. If the patient is at least 30-40 pounds overweight, they may be a good candidate for a VLCD.

What kind of weight loss results can I expect from a Very Low Calorie Diet?

• VLCD’s deliver rapid weight loss, typically an average of 3-5 pounds per week for women and 5-7 pounds per week for men.

Does the program offer other benefits besides weight loss?

• The many potential health benefits include: lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, lower serum cholesterol, improved cardiovascular health, and reduced pain in weight bearing joints. This weight loss, for many patients, can help reduce or eliminate their need for related medications. Many of these benefits can be realized by patients with just 10% weight reduction.

What is the typical length of participation for a patient on a Very Low Calorie Diet?

• Length of stay for each patient is different as it is defined by the motivation of the patient and the amount of weight that that patient needs to lose. Most patients will participate in a VLCD for at least 12 weeks or more.

How does this program differ from other weight loss programs?

• When on a VLCD, calories and carbohydrates are limited and the body burns its own storage fat for energy. The fat is released into the bloodstream, travels to the liver, and is converted to ketones. Ketones are then released back into the bloodstream and used for energy. Typical daily nutrition consumed by the patient is limited to 800 calories per day. One-hundred percent of the nutrition is provided by the protein supplement meal replacements used in the program.

How well do patients tolerate the meal replacements for an extended period of time?

• The great tasting shakes, puddings, soups, nutrition bars satisfy both the nutrition and flavor profiles for patients. They report back that they are satisfied and the variety of flavors helps them stave off diet fatigue.

Are there any side-effects for patients on a VLCD diet?

• Patients may experience mild temporary side-effects as the body adjusts to the program. These include: greater sensitivity to cold, headaches, fruity breath, fatigue or light headedness. Physician supervision and weekly medical monitoring by your clinical staff during the VLCD are important to help evaluate possible side-effects and changes in the patients’ health and medications.

Which patients are inappropriate for a Very Low Calorie Diet?

• They are not recommended for children, pregnant or nursing mothers, patients who have conflicting medical conditions or are on certain medications, or type 1 diabetics. A full list of explanations exists in the Robard Physician’s Manual.

Will patients be hungry on this diet and will it be necessary to combine a VLCD with medications?

• Most patients report that their hunger diminishes or disappears within approximately 2 to 3 days of the beginning of the program due to the presence of ketones and the reduced food temptations. Our reduced carbohydrate, high protein formulations typically curb the dieter’s appetite without a need for appetite suppression medications.

Why is regular medical monitoring essential while on a VLCD?

• Only by checking the patient’s physical responses to the program can the clinical team make the adjustments needed to maintain patients’ good health. These tests include weekly weight checks, blood pressure tests, blood tests to measure levels of minerals, cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.

Is a VLCD an acceptable solution for type 2 diabetics?

• The weight reduction that accompanies a VLCD is an effective treatment for type 2 diabetics, a condition closely associated with and exacerbated by obesity. Weight loss is associated with reductions in insulin resistance, pro-inflammatory markers, and may even improve insulin secretion. These improvements treat the key defects underlying the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. For many patients oral hypo-glycemic medications and insulin can be reduced or discontinued at the onset of a VLCD and normal blood glucose levels are seen after the first month.

What are the phases to your Very Low Calorie Diet?

• Typical Very Low Calorie Diet patients experiences include a reducing phase, which is active weight loss, an adapting phase, which is a slow introduction of some grocery foods over an extended period of time, and finally, a maintenance phase. During all 3 phases of this program patients are taught nutrition, exercise and lifestyle skills to assist with the maintenance of the weight lost.