In short…YES!!!

Did you know that if we remain in a calorie deficit or diet for a long time, it can slow down our metabolic rate?

Here’s how it works: when we restrict our caloric intake, our body becomes more energy-efficient and requires fewer calories to maintain our weight. The more we cut our calories, the more our metabolic rate will drop.  Our body will even start sending signals hoping we will listen and eat more.

Don’t worry, it’s not all bad news! Fortunately, the opposite of this concept is true, too. 

If we restore our calories back to a normal range, our metabolic rate will increase.

And that’s where reverse dieting comes in!

The Principles Behind Reverse Dieting

A reverse diet is when calories are gradually increased in a slow steady fashion up to maintenance levels (or sometimes even higher to support muscle growth) with the goal of increasing metabolic rate.

Providing a small caloric surplus could help to restore hormone levels and energy all while helping to recover your basal metabolic rate. The goal is to help the “dieter” minimize the amount of body fat gained during the process.

If your body has stopped responding to a calorie deficit OR a surplus, or if you’re tired of consuming a low level of calories, reverse dieting could be perfect for you!