What methods can be used to restrict food intake?

From the Guidelines

To limit eating, focus on reducing caloric intake by 500- to 750-kcal/d deficit, adjusted for individual body weight and activity, as advised in the 2023 JAMA study 1. This can be achieved by implementing specific strategies such as portion control, reduction or elimination of ultraprocessed foods, and increased fruit and vegetable intake. Some key points to consider:

• Evidence-based healthy eating approaches can be selected based on individual preference, metabolic risk, and likelihood of long-term adherence, as outlined in the 2023 JAMA study 1.
• High-protein shakes or bars can be used to replace 1 or 2 meals a day to improve weight loss, with a mean difference of −1.44 kg; 95% CI, −2.48 kg to −0.39 kg, as reported in the 2023 JAMA study 1.
• Other strategies to limit eating include:
  • Using smaller plates and bowls to create visual fullness with less food
  • Practicing mindful eating by eliminating distractions during meals, chewing thoroughly, and paying attention to hunger and fullness cues
  • Establishing a consistent eating schedule with planned meals and snacks to prevent excessive hunger that leads to overeating
  • Staying hydrated by drinking water before meals to reduce hunger and prevent mistaking thirst for hunger
  • Including protein and fiber in each meal to increase satiety, with good sources including lean meats, beans, vegetables, and whole grains
  • Considering intermittent fasting approaches like the 16:8 method (eating within an 8-hour window) if appropriate for your health status, as mentioned in the example answer. It is essential to prioritize these strategies based on individual needs and health status, and to consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet or exercise routine, as recommended in the 2014 Journal of the American College of Cardiology study 1 and the 2017 Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology study 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Use for weight loss in overweight adults, 18 years and older, when used along with a reduced-calorie and low-fat diet The answer to ways to limit eating is to use a reduced-calorie and low-fat diet as part of a weight loss plan, as indicated for use with orlistat (PO) 2.

From the Research

Ways to Limit Eating

To limit eating, several strategies can be employed, including:

• Setting realistic goals for weight loss
• Pursuing a balanced dietary plan tailored to individual needs, preferences, and medical conditions 3
• Using dietary approaches with different caloric content and macronutrient composition, such as low-fat diets, low-carbohydrate diets, high-protein diets, very low-calorie diets with meal replacements, Mediterranean diet, and diets with intermittent energy restriction 3
• Incorporating orlistat, an inhibitor of intestinal lipase, into a hypocaloric diet to reduce body weight and improve metabolic risk factors 4, 5, 6, 7

Dietary Interventions

Dietary interventions can play a crucial role in limiting eating and achieving weight loss, including:

• Hypocaloric diets, which can be combined with orlistat to enhance weight loss 4, 5, 6, 7
• Balanced dietary plans that take into account individual needs, preferences, and medical conditions 3
• Diets with intermittent energy restriction, which can be an effective way to limit eating and achieve weight loss 3

Pharmacological Interventions

Pharmacological interventions, such as orlistat, can also be used to limit eating and achieve weight loss, including:

• Orlistat, which inhibits dietary fat absorption and can be used in conjunction with a hypocaloric diet to enhance weight loss 4, 5, 6, 7