Flower salad and cabbage soup: are popular diets so useful and effective?

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Life hacker understands the issue together with a nutritionist.

1. The ketogenic diet

It is a diet high in fat, moderate in protein, and minimal in carbohydrates. In a regular diet, carbohydrates form the basis of the diet. In a ketogenic diet, the source of energy is fats. When carbohydrates are deficient, the liver converts them into fatty acids and ketone bodies, which keep the brain working.

This diet was originally used to treat epilepsy in children. But then athletes for whom endurance is important (marathoners, cyclists, and so on) fell in love with her. And, finally, recently it has become popular with those who want to lose weight.

With a ketogenic diet, anything that contains a large amount of fat is allowed: meat and lard, cheese, butter (both butter and vegetable), nuts and seeds, dairy products, avocados, mushrooms, lettuce, fiber-rich vegetables. Occasionally you can eat dark or bitter chocolate, fruits. Most foods containing carbohydrates (pasta, bread, sweets, cereals, etc.) are prohibited. Sitting on a ketogenic diet is recommended for at least three months.

Nutritionist opinion

This diet is high in saturated fat, low in protein, and virtually no carbs. It can be helpful for autoimmune diseases and bulimia. But it cannot be used as a regular diet.

Such a diet can be dangerous for those who have poorly absorbed fats or have hereditary diseases, as well as diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

2. Intermittent fasting

This is intermittent fasting. The most common regimen is to spend 16 hours without food and drink only water, and eat as usual for the remaining 8 hours. Or you can only go hungry on weekends.

Adherents of such nutrition believe that during the "hungry" period, the body starts the process of autophagy - getting rid of unnecessary cells and self-healing. Due to this, a person not only loses weight, but also strengthens the immune system. It is recommended to practice intermittent fasting every 1-2 weeks.

Nutritionist opinion

This diet is similar to intermittent fasting. It has been proven that 16 hours of non-daily fasting can have a positive effect on weight loss. However, it is worth remembering that this practice does not need to be regular. You can arrange for yourself a discharge once a month (with a maximum duration of a week).

With intermittent fasting, it is necessary to look at the individual indicators of a person. Such a diet is contraindicated for pregnant women, people with mental disabilities or chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is necessary to prepare for it correctly and in advance: try to eat less at night, give up fatty foods, reduce the calorie content of the diet.

3. Flower diet

A fashion trend whose followers add edible flowers to their diet. According to the adherents of this diet, the buds and petals contain useful substances - vitamins and antioxidants. For example, a dandelion flower drink can improve liver function and help you lose weight. Rose petals are rich in vitamin C. Jasmine and hibiscus perfectly complement tea, linden can be added to an omelette, and pickled nasturtium buds are eaten instead of capers.

On such a diet, you can replace 1-2 meals with vegetable salads or fruit smoothies with the addition of flower petals and buds. You can adhere to it for an unlimited time, according to your well-being.

Nutritionist opinion

With such a diet, there is little protein component and practically no carbohydrates. If you do not lead an active lifestyle, then the flower diet can be an option for a fasting day. You can lose weight with it, but you shouldn't sit on it all the time.

Some flowers do have beneficial properties: they reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (pumpkin), improve digestion (nasturtium, dandelion), have a diuretic effect (marigolds), relieve inflammation (basil), and soothe itching (jasmine). But if you suffer from asthma or you have a tendency to allergies, it is better to refuse to use flowers.

4. Diet on cabbage soup

The basis of this diet is a soup made from cabbage, onions, carrots, tomatoes in their own juice, sweet peppers, celery, brown rice and herbs. During the week, allowed foods can be added to this dish: fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, juice.

It is recommended to practice such a diet no more than once every three weeks.

Nutritionist opinion

Like any other diet, this diet is based on calorie restriction. There are practically no proteins and carbohydrates here, the body will not retain fluid. If you need to lose weight quickly, then this diet is ideal. However, it is not a fact that the result will be long-term.

5. Cleansing diet

Designed to remove toxins from the body, excess fluid, lower blood sugar levels. During the diet, the amount of calories consumed is significantly reduced (up to 600-800 kcal). Juices and compotes, raw, stewed or baked vegetables, vegetable broths, fresh fruits are allowed. All this without salt and sugar.

For an additional effect, you can drink laxative tea, add cayenne pepper to food, and do cleansing enemas. The duration of the diet is from 6 to 11 days.

Nutritionist opinion

In no case should such a diet be used at home. It is necessary to consult a specialist. Many cleansing procedures are done exclusively under the supervision of a doctor and have contraindications. So experimenting at home is not the best option. You can only aggravate the situation and, at the very least, earn problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

This kind of diet works well as a preparation for fasting.

6. Raw diet

Its essence is simple: eat only raw plant foods, as well as eggs and fish. Allowed vegetables, fruits and dried fruits, seeds, sprouted grains, nuts, dairy products, herbs and spices, fresh juices, honey, green and herbal teas, vegetable oil.

Sitting on such a diet is recommended for 3 to 10 days.

Nutritionist opinion

Some foods should not be eaten raw at all, as they are difficult to digest. You definitely won't eat meat raw, except fish. However, it can contain a large amount of toxic substances and heavy metals (such as mercury) that can harm your health.

A raw diet is not a panacea. Alternatively, you can arrange for yourself two raw days. But keep in mind: with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, this is prohibited, there will be spasms.

7. Alkaline diet

This food is based on a certain ratio of alkaline and acidic foods - optimal if it is 7: 3. The former include vegetables, fruits, herbs, berries, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, vegetable oil, lean fish and meat, brown rice and buckwheat. The second - bread, legumes, fatty meats, eggs, tea, coffee.

Recommended fractional (4-5 times a day) meals, minimal salt intake, refusal of alcohol, plenty of water.

Nutritionist opinion

The claim that food can change the acid-base balance of our bodies is highly controversial. Of course, the predominance of fruits and vegetables in the diet will be beneficial. However, for this you need to consult with doctors, take into account the characteristics of the body so as not to harm it.

In any case, before starting any diet, you need to be examined and find out if you have any contraindications. And remember that quickly lost pounds usually come back.