Some diets involve purely healthy eating, while others require you to drastically reduce your calorie intake to kick start the weight loss process. Not all such diets are fad diets, and can be followed safely, but only for a short period. One such diet is the very popular 1000 calorie diet that a lot of people resort to, in order to lose weight. Overview As the name suggests, the 1000 calorie diet refers to consuming only 1000 calories in a day. Though the figure varies among each individual, the ideal calorie intake is set at an average of 2000 calories in a day. This means you are cutting down your calorie intake by half. This can have drastic effects on the body, which is why, it is imperative that you speak to your doctor before you go for this diet. This is more important, if you are suffering from any kind of health condition that may worsen by following such a low-calorie diet. What to Eat Now, you can consume one thousand calories a day just by consuming 4 burgers from McDonald's, but that is extremely unhealthy, and what we are looking for is a healthy weight loss diet. As such, all unhealthy meals have to be substituted with fresh fruits, vegetables, and complex carbs. Ditch the carbs in rice, pasta, and starchy vegetables, and choose whole grain counterparts instead. Roasted and grilled food is great; avoid any kind of deep-fried items. Olive oil is the best substitute for cooking oil. Sugar should be replaced with honey, agave nectar, or pure maple syrup in limited amounts. What to Watch Out for When on this Diet Because you are drastically cutting out so many calories, you are likely to feel a little lightheaded, dizzy, or dehydrated. It is therefore important, that you drink a lot of water on this diet. Not only does it keep you hydrated, but also cleanses the body, and removes a lot of harmful toxins. In combination with the light food you are consuming, not only will you shed a couple of pounds per week, but also find yourself having glowing skin and greater energy. If you still feel weak or tired, stop the diet immediately. Do not even think of exercising while on this diet, because it will make you extremely weak. Simply focus on what you are eating (not what you are not eating), and this diet will definitely prove helpful. How Long Should You Carry Out this Diet It should be carried out only for one week at a stretch. If you stay on it any longer, you will start feeling weaker, and your body will go into starvation mode. This means anything you eat will be stored in the body, and not utilized for energy, thereby causing you to, in fact, gain weight. Furthermore, your body's metabolism will slow down, and when you revert from this diet to your original diet, you are likely to start putting on more weight. So, the idea is to follow this diet for one week, and slowly ease in to eating a regular but healthy diet. As such, you may follow this diet only once in a month. This diet is meant for people, who wish to shed off a couple of pounds quickly. It is best for people, who do not perform excess physical activity, and have the liberty to remain home all day. Again, do not forget to consult your doctor or nutritionist before you start off with this diet. As appealing as it may seem, it can also affect your body negatively, and have you regret the fact that you opted for such a plan. Follow the diet with the aforementioned guidelines, and you will find yourself healthier and rejuvenated. Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Always consult your doctor before resorting to such a stringent diet.