Energy balance
Very low energy diets (VLED) and formula meal replacements produce significantly greater weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes compared to standard low-energy or low-fat diets.
If you have type 2 diabetes and want maximum weight loss, using a structured Very Low Energy Diet (400-500 kcal/day) or formula meal replacements for 8-12 weeks is more effective than standard low-fat or low-carb diets. This approach creates a larger caloric deficit than self-selected food diets, leading to roughly 6.6 kg more weight loss.
Greatest weight loss was reported with very low energy diets, 1.7–2.1 MJ/day (400–500 kcal) for 8–12 weeks... achieving 6.6 kg... greater weight loss than low-energy diets... Formula meal replacements... achieved 2.4 kg... greater weight loss over 12–52 weeks.
Why this rating
Based on high-quality meta-analyses (AMSTAR 2) with GRADE ratings of low to moderate certainty.
Source
Diets for weight management in adults with type 2 diabetes: an umbrella review of published meta-analyses and systematic review of trials of diets for diabetes remission
Chaitong Churuangsuk et al. · Diabetologia · 2021
DOI 10.1007/s00125-021-05577-2
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