Calorie Restriction :

Calorie Restriction (CR) is the process of limiting caloric intake with the intention of slowing down aging. Some people refer to the concept as an anti aging diet. Research into Calorie Restriction has continued for many years - concluding that the lifespan of many animals (rats, monkeys, spiders) is extended when calorie intake is restricted.

The difficulty of Calorie Restriction is that sufficient nutrition (vitamins and minerals) must be maintained while lowering energy intake as much as possible.

There are many adherents of a calorie restricted lifestyle - hoping to extend life.

Calorie Restricted Meal Plan

A Calorie Restricted diet must be slowly adopted. Losing more than 1 pound of weight per week is not recommended. This plan comprises 1700-1800 calories - but this should vary depending on age, weight, and exercise level (more meal plans available at the CRON site ).

Breakfast
1 cup (5oz, 145g) Non-fat cottage cheese 120 calories
23 nuts (1oz, 28g) Almonds, raw 160 calories
1 cup (5oz, 150g) Strawberries (or other berries) 50 calories
Nutrition Snack (e.g. one Balance bar) 200 calories

530 total calories

Lunch
5oz (140g) Chicken breast, skinless, boiled, baked or roasted* 230 calories
½ cup (80g) Broccoli (steamed, boiled, or raw) 25 calories
½ cup (60g) Cauliflower (steamed, boiled, or raw) 15 calories
1 tbsp Olive oil (extra virgin) 120 calories
½ tsp Herbs and Spices 5 calories
1 medium Orange 65 calories

Directions
Cook chicken (or other protein) as desired or use canned variety. Add to plate with broccoli and cauliflower. Add olive oil and herbs and spices. Have orange for dessert.

460 total calories

Snack
1 cup non-fat yogurt 120 calories
6 nuts (1/2 oz, 14g) macadamia nuts 100 calories

220 total calories

Dinner
2 cups Green, leafy salad (may include lettuce, cabbage, spinach) 20 calories
¼ fillet (3oz, 90g) Salmon, canned low-salt or fresh-baked 185 calories
7oz (200g) Sweet potato, baked 180 calories
1 tbsp Olive oil 120 calories
½ tsp Herbs and Spices 5 calories
1 tbsp Vinegar 5 calories

Directions
Sprinkle vinegar and ½ tbsp olive oil and ½ herbs and spices over salad. Sprinkle ¼ tbsp olive oil and remaining herbs over fish. Sprinkle remaining olive oil over sweet potato (have this for dessert).

515 total calories

How Can Calorie Restriction Slow Down Aging?

The concept is still at the theoretical stage - and many theories exist as to why the various experiments on animals have resulted in longevity of life.

A good background primer is available at Wikipedia .

See Also

Calorie Restriction Society
Calorie Restriction with Optimum Nutrition (CRON)

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