Definition
A belly way diet is a diet invented by the editor Liz Vaccariello and her colleague Cynthia Sass. Their goal is to achieve great success in weight loss in a short time. Above all the abdominal fat should be reduced. Meals containing monounsaturated fatty acids should be combined with a reduction of carbohydrates and lots of fruit and vegetables. This should have the effect of reducing cravings while improving metabolism and intestinal function.
Procedure of the diet
The original diet is for a period of four weeks. It begins with four days during which the body is to be cleansed. A maximum of 1200 kcal per day may be consumed.
In addition, one should drink 2 litres of “Sassy Water” per day. This “Sassy Water” consists of water, grated ginger, cucumber slices, lemon slices and mint. The water should lead to weight loss through “negative calories” as well as digestive, dehydrating and diuretic components.
According to the Mediterranean diet, one may consume 1600kcal divided into 4 meals per day. No more than 4 hours should be allowed between meals and each meal should contain monounsaturated fatty acids. Non-starchy vegetables are allowed without restriction, healthy fats and vegetable proteins should be limited to 3 portions, fruit to 2 portions and cereals to 1 portion.
During the entire period, no salt, wheat, industrially processed foods and foods that promote flatulence should be consumed. The authors expect a weight loss of 10 to 15 pounds (in about 7 kilograms). Forms of overweight
Side effects of the diet
Since this diet is a diet whose only point of attack is the intensive regulation of nutrition, it is very likely that after the end of the diet, the weight can not be maintained.
Criticism of the diet
This diet is a low calorie diet that leads to rapid weight loss in the short term. Studies have shown that such low calorie diets lead to faster weight loss in the initial period of the diet, the diet is maintained for a reasonable period of time (1 year), but there is no difference in weight loss compared to the moderate calorie diet. In addition, it is a diet that contains many very specific nutritional requirements without, however, specifically encouraging physical activity. As a result, the diet is a dietary programme that is difficult to follow in everyday life in the long term, which in the long term does not lead to weight stabilisation but rather to weight gain. Furthermore, there is little concrete scientific evidence for the effects of monounsaturated fatty acids.
What are the risks/hazards of the diet?
The diet offers some risks due to its approach. Since it only focuses on strong energy reduction without promoting physical activity, it is very likely that you will lose muscle mass. Another major risk is the possibility of regaining weight and thus frustration and a lack of sustainability.
