Weight Loss Diets - A Review Of 4 Popular Diets
There are a number of diets available, but here I review four
which are popular at the moment.
1000 calorie diet
Trying the 1000 calorie diet is only advisable for one week, due
to your body entering starvation mode and conserving fat.
Overdoing the 1000 calorie diet is counterproductive to your
body so try to stay on it for only 1 week. After 1 week you will
loose between 3-5 pounds. The 1000 calorie diet can be used as a
starter diet for a long term weight loss program. Try to aim for
2-3 pounds of weight loss and a good exercise program to begin
with. After 1 week on the 1000 calorie diet, try upping your
calorie intake or reverting back to a not so severe diet, this
will prevent your body's metabolism from slowing down. Here is a
simple 1000 calorie daily menu.
Breakfast * Banana sandwich made with 2 slices of wholemeal
bread and a small banana. * Small glass of orange juice
Snack * 1 pot of low fat yoghurt (preferably fruit)
Lunch * 1 wholemeal roll filled with tuna and low fat mayonnaise
(use tin tuna in spring water) * Mixed lettuce salad, red or
yellow sweet peppers, spring onions
Snack * 1 bag of lower fat crisps
Dinner * Roast chicken breast (without skin) * Potatoes, mashed
with 30ml semi-skimmed milk * Broccoli (all vegetables steamed
or boiled) * Carrots * Gravy (made from granules)
Evening * 1 low calorie hot chocolate drink made with powder and
water
Drinks throughout the day * Diet coke, water, black coffee or
tea without sugar
The 1000 calorie diet can be used as a starter diet for a long
term weight loss program. Try to aim for 2-3 pounds of weight
loss and a good exercise program to begin with. Remember after 1
week on the 1000 calorie diet, try upping your calorie intake or
reverting back to a not so severe diet, this will prevent your
body's metabolism from slowing down.
Vegetarian Diet
A well balanced vegetarian diet provides many benefits for the
body. Some of those benefits include a reduced risk of chronic
diseases, such as:
* Obesity * Coronary artery disease * Hypertension * High blood
pressure * Diabetes * Some types of cancer and more...
Your vegetarian diet, must be planned well. If not your body
could end up in need of some vital nutrients. Some of these
nutrients essential for the body are:
* Protein * Minerals (zinc, calcium, iron) * Vitamin b12 *
Vitamin d
Protein sources include, tofu and other soy-based products,
legumes, seeds, nuts, grains, and vegetables
Experts say that in order for a balanced vegetarian diet, you
should eat nuts and whole grain cereals for good sources amino
acids.
Greens such as spinach, kale and broccoli are a good source of
calcium.
For sources of vitamin b12 which comes from animals, can be
substituted with fortified breakfast cereals and fortified soy
drinks.
Sources of iron are red meats, liver and egg yolks which are all
high in cholesterol. Spinach, dried beans and dried fruits are
all good vegetarian sources of iron.
A vegetarian diet is healthier than a meat diet. However this
does not mean that you have the right to stuff your face with
crisps, chocolate and chips everyday. Your balanced diet should
include all of the above, i.e. Fruit, vegetables, nuts, dairy
produce and soy. Below is a table of some calorie controls in a
vegetarian diet:
Food Group 1200 Calorie 1500 Calorie 1800 Calorie Vegetables 5
servings 6 servings 8 servings Fruits 3 servings 3 servings 5
servings Grains 2 servings 3 servings 4 servings Dairy 2
servings 2-3 servings 2-3 servings Beans, Nuts and Seeds 5oz 6oz
7oz Total Fat 30-35g 40-50g 50-60g
You can find a massive rage of diets on the internet free of
charge! A vegetarian diet is an all round healthier option, and
can go a long way to helping you on the road to losing weight.
Abs Diet
The Abs Diet works on the theory that every 1lb of muscle
gained, your body intern burns an extra 50 calories per day. So
if you can build an extra 10lb of muscle your body will then
burn an extra 500 calories per day. Using the Abs Diet your body
will burn more energy by eating the correct foods and exercising
the correct way. Losing 500 calories per day will loose you 1lb
of weight per week. Expect to loose up to 12lb in the first two
weeks followed by 5-8lb in the forth coming two
The Abs Diet allows you to eat 6 meals per day which consist of
12 power foods, such as: chicken, turkey and other lean meat,
olive oil, beans and pulses, almonds, low fat dairy products,
green vegetables, oats, eggs, wholegrain bread, whole grain
cereals, berries, and protein powder. All other food is a not
allowed.
For 6 weeks you will eat a series of 12 power foods, which
provide the body with all the fibre and minerals you need to
stay healthy and build muscle. Along with the diet you will do a
20 min workout three times per week, which will aid in the fat
burning.
The Abs diet is mainly aimed at men, however women are
encouraged to participate. The range of foods you can eat is
still good and you do get an exercise program out of it. Also
some very good looking Abs, health and sex life. The full diet
book is: The Abs Diet by David Zinczenko from all good on-line
book stores.
The Kellogg's Cereal Diet
One of the simplest diets around at the moment is the Kellogg's
Cereal Diet. It is not a crash weight loss diet which will loose
you pounds upon pounds; however it will allow you to get into
those jeans that are 1 size to small.
To start the Kellogg's Diet all you have to do is, eat one bowl
of Kellogg's Special K or Cornflakes for breakfast, and also one
for a replacement lunch or dinner. That's all! Carry this on for
two weeks then you will see the results. Expect to loose around
3-6lb.
Whist on your diet, Kellogg's allow you to have the same drinks
and snacks as you usually would, but recommend that you eat a
well balanced meal every day, with more fruit and vegetables.
Another tip from Kellogg's, is to keep a food diary to monitor
and keep you aware of your current eating habits.