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The Three Day Diet

November 20th, 2009 Johanna No comments

The beginning of the three-day diet is uncertain. Some people believe that they go back to the 1980s when these kinds of diets were faxed from person to another. Three-day diets go by many different names, including the fax diet, Army diet, Navy diet, Cleveland Clinic diet, and many others. Often they are just referred to as three-day diets. Although many versions of this diet claim to have been created by one medical institution or another, no therapeutic institutions have ever been known to come forward to claim responsibility for, or even to recommend, one of these diets. Many associations that have these diets named after them, such as the British Heart Foundation or the Cleveland Clinic, go out of their way to inform dieters that the diet did not originate where its title claims.

The 3 Day Diet is one of the most accepted short-term fad diets around nowadays. Many people adopt the diet to try and achieve short-term weight loss. Unfortunately, most people simply gain the weight back on again.

The 3 Day Diet is simply a low calorie diet. There is nothing magical – no mystical chemical reaction that goes on. Weight loss is due to a sudden drop in calories – some of this may be fat – but most will be from water loss. This plan it is to be used for 3 days at a time. If you follow it correctly you can lose up to 10 pounds in 3 days. After 3 days of dieting, resume eating normally for four to five days, do not overeat. You can start back if you like.

You can add herbs, salt, pepper, lemon, vinegar, Worcestershire, soy sauce, mustard & ketchup to your diet. Drink 4 glass of water or diet soda or any diet drink without sugar or use only diet sugar.

It is a calorie cut down, as long as you eat the same amount of calories in any type of food you will lose weight fast. You can switch the diet food around any way you wish or replace the foods you see for another with the same caloric value.

What You Can Eat

The 3 Day Diet is a very specific food plan that must be followed exactly. Portions must be eaten precisely as specified and dieters are warned not to overeat — otherwise the promised 10 pound weight loss may not be achieved. Likewise, dieters should not under-eat, even if they are not hungry. The detailed plan does not mention or recommend any exercise.

Breakfast on the first day begins with coffee (no sugar), one half a grapefruit, and a piece of toast with 1 tablespoon peanut butter. For lunch, you are allowed a can of tuna, a piece of toast, and black coffee. Dinner consists of 3 ounces of chicken or lean meat, a cup of green beans, one cup of carrots, one apple, and one cup of regular vanilla ice cream. The other two days of the diet are moderately similar in meal quantity, though the specifics change, e.g. Day 2 recommends two beef franks for dinner in place of three ounces of lean meat. The diet claims that weight loss of 10 pounds is achievable over the 3 days that the diet lasts.

Definition of a Healthy Diet

November 19th, 2009 Johanna No comments

A healthy and balanced diet is typically defined as a diet in which nutrient intake is maintained, and cholesterol, salt, sugar and fat are reduced. The idea of a healthy diet is frequently used by a government to ensure that citizens are well “protected” against common illnesses, as well as conditions which stem from poor diet; of which many problems such as headaches, lethargy, reduced libido, heart disease, alcohol poisoning, and obesity may be attributed. In addition to this, a well balanced diet is vital to athletes and martial artists who are pushing their bodies to the limits on a regular basis, as without a good diet, the body will not have the fuel to recover.

The meaning of a healthy diet by some is also thought of as a diet which will combat or prevent sickness. When eating healthily, the likelihood of succumbing to common minor illnesses, such as the common cold and lesser forms of influenza, is decreased, mainly because consumption of a healthy diet would provide ample nutrients and energy for the body, so as to help stave off such illnesses. Similarly, a healthy diet will help the body during recovery from illness. The myth of “Starve a cold, feed a fever” is a common misconception, particularly in the United Kingdom. This is a myth in every sense of the word because providing the body with nutrients during illness is actually beneficial – nutrient and energy stores would be replenished, allowing for more energy to be used by the body to combat illness. However, that being said, a recent study claims that short term “starve a fever, feed a cold” might actually be correct depending on the underlying cause of the fever. Eating and fasting causes brief fluctuations in the amount of chemical messengers called cytokines.

The U.S. government has established dietary plan represented by a food pyramid that consists of the following groups.

Fruits and Vegetables. Together, fruits and vegetables should include the highest percentage of the foods you eat. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is important for providing the fiber, vitamins and antioxidants the body needs.

Grains. These are the second-most-important food group, providing carbohydrates that are converted to energy. Breads, cereals, rice and pasta are in this group. Whole grains are preferable to white, processed and refined grains.

Dairy Products. The best sources of milk are those that retain high calcium content. Choose low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese. Avoid butter and cream.

Meats and Beans. These provide protein. Choose lean meats and poultry or fish. Seeds, nuts, peas and eggs are also in this category.

Oils. These are a source of fat, should comprise the smallest percentage of the diet. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are best; avoid saturated and trans fats. Good sources of oil are fish, nuts and vegetable oils.