Across-the-day monitoring of mood and energy intake before, during, and after a very-low-calorie diet.

Mood, hunger, and energy intake were monitored in eight obese women before, during, and after 2 wk on a very-low-calorie diet (VLCD). Energy intake was significantly lower by approximately 30% in the week after the VLCD compared with the prediet week, both from food diaries and at a controlled ad libitum test meal. There was a gradual reduction in hunger, irritability, and urge to eat after 1 wk on the VLCD, which persisted through the postdiet week. Hunger and discontent were greatest in the evening during the first few days of the VLCD but diminished as the duration of the VLCD increased.