The Six Petals Diet
Physiologists have long noticed that mono diets are the most effective in terms of weight loss. However, they have a significant drawback: nutritional deficiencies. Not a single product contains the entire set of nutrients necessary for a person, which means that it cannot become the basis for at least some long-term diet. Therefore, nutritionists usually advise to spend fasting days on which one product is eaten: apples, grapes, milk, kefir, etc. In this case, the benefits are undeniable, and there is no harm, but if you need to get rid of a lot of excess weight, fasting days may not be enough.
Anna Johansen, a nutritionist from Sweden, took these points into account and developed the Six Petals diet, which combines all the advantages of a mono-diet and is devoid of its disadvantages, as well as takes into account the principle of separate nutrition - assuming protein-carbohydrate alternation, which is optimal in terms of load on the digestive system.
The diet lasts six days, with only one food per day. Products are selected so as to provide the body with everything it needs for this period. It is very important to follow the sequence of "petals" - days with certain permitted foods.
Anna Johansen suggested that those who were losing weight should attach a paper flower with six petals to the refrigerator (a picture for printing is available at this link), sign the petals ("Fish", "Vegetables", etc.) and tear off one every day. It disciplines, keeps you from getting bogged down by alternating foods, and adds a playful element to the weight loss process, which is always enjoyable.
Weight loss with this diet averages 2.5–5 kg per six-day cycle.
Print version of the picture
Benefits of the Six Petals Diet
The advantages of the "Six Petals" diet include its effectiveness, simplicity, the ability to choose the method of cooking (for example, fish can be baked, boiled in water, steamed, made fish soup). Economy is also important - you do not need exotic products to follow the diet, everything is sold in the nearest supermarket and will be inexpensive, at least not more expensive than regular food.
Diet, undoubtedly, has a positive effect on the body: it relieves the digestive tract. Foods selected with regard to nutritional value fully cover the body's needs for macro- and microelements. Thanks to this, there are no such unpleasant companions of many diets, such as brittle nails and hair, deterioration of the skin condition, and decreased immunity.
The Six Petals Diet is easy to follow. A limited diet is not taken hard, since there is no strict restriction on the amount of food, there is no painful feeling of hunger.
Disadvantages and contraindications of the "Six Petals" diet
There are practically no downsides to this carefully crafted diet. There is a small percentage of those losing weight who are not suitable for "Six Petals". As a rule, the reason is a set of products and the undesirability of replacing one product with another. So, if a person does not eat fish or chicken, the diet will not be suitable for him.
There are no general contraindications, but people with chronic diseases should consult with their doctor before starting the Six Petals diet.
What foods are allowed?
The first day is fishy. Any kind of fish cooked in a dietary way is allowed: salted, smoked, fried in oil are excluded, baked, steamed, grilled, boiled are welcome. You can make a dietary fish soup - unlike the usual one, it will contain only two products: fish and greens.
The second day is vegetable. Any vegetables will do, however, if the goal of the diet is to lose weight, it is advisable to limit (not necessarily eliminate) the consumption of potatoes in favor of non-starchy vegetables. First of all, these are cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, eggplants, green beans, cabbage of all varieties and, of course, leafy greens. Vegetables can be eaten raw, mixed into a salad (but it should only be seasoned with lemon juice, without oil or even yogurt), boiled, stewed, baked in the oven and grilled.
The third day is chicken. The diet on this day consists of skinless chicken fillet (chicken breast), prepared according to the rules of the fish day diet - by dietary methods. As in the case of fish, let's say chicken broth on the breast, seasoned with herbs.
The fourth day is cereal. Cereals and dietary products from them are used in food. These are any cereals (without oil and sugar, on water), muesli, grain and bran bread, seeds.
The fifth day is curd. You can eat cottage cheese of any fat content, but you cannot add sour cream, cream, sugar, honey, raisins, etc. to it.
The sixth day is fruity. Any fruits are allowed, the cooking rules are the same as for vegetables on the second "petal" of the diet. You can mix fruits into salads, season them with cinnamon, vanilla or other natural spices, make freshly squeezed fruit juices without additives (however, be careful here, since some of them, for example, apple, whet the appetite).
During all days, you can add salt, natural spices, leafy greens to food, drink tea or coffee without sugar.
If you plan to continue the diet, then the seventh day is set aside for rest, during which you can eat any food, then the diet is resumed from the first "petal".
What foods are prohibited?
In addition to those listed in the list of permitted foods, nothing should be in the diet. Sugar, animal fat and vegetable oils, alcohol in any form, sweet cereals with milk and cereals, baked goods, fresh bread, industrial crackers (containing flavoring additives) are strictly prohibited.
Six Petals Diet Menu
There is no strict or exemplary menu of the Six Petals diet. It is recommended only to eat at least three times a day, and preferably five to six times at regular intervals. The amount of food is not limited, you can focus on your appetite, which greatly facilitates the diet.
Useful Tips
Advice 1. Do not break the sequence of days in the diet.
Tip 2. Some nutritionists allow you to replace fish with seafood and natural yogurt. There is no consensus on the advisability of such a replacement. Nevertheless, when choosing whether to observe the "Six Petals" with these deviations or not at all, of course, it is worth choosing the first one.
4.5 out of 5
An effective diet that allows you to quickly lose weight, while safe for health, as it is formulated taking into account the body's needs for basic macro- and microelements.
YouTube video related to the article:
Found a mistake in the text? Select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
