Nutritionally Complete Low Calorie Diets (LCDs) are formula diets which contain between 800-1200 kcal per day and are designed to totally replace 'normal' foods. They contain recommended amounts of protein and all essential nutrients.

LCDs are available as powders to make into shakes, soups, or rehydrated meals, or they are available as cereal bars, mueslis, or desserts.

LCDs should not be given to infants, children, adolescents, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, people with gout, porphyria, and those with eating disorders. People with diabetes, hypertension, kidney failure, cancer, and the elderly should only use the diet on the advice of a doctor and under medical supervision.