Salad With Flowers And Cabbage Soup: Are Popular Diets So Useful And Effective

Together with a nutritionist, we find out how effective popular diets are and whether it is really worth following them to lose weight.

We understand the issue together with a nutritionist.

1. Ketogenic diet

This is a food system with a high content of fats, a moderate amount of proteins and minimal carbohydrates. In a normal diet, the basis of the diet is carbohydrates. With a ketogenic diet, the source of energy is fat. With a shortage of carbohydrates, the liver converts them into fatty acids and ketone bodies, which support brain function.

This diet was originally used to treat epilepsy in children. But then it was loved by athletes for whom endurance is important (marathoners, cyclists, etc.). And finally, recently it has become popular among those who want to lose weight.

With a ketogenic diet, things that contain a large amount of fat are allowed: meat and lard, cheese, butter (both creamy and vegetable), nuts and seeds, fermented milk products, avocados, mushrooms, leafy salads, vegetables rich in fiber. You can occasionally eat dark or bitter chocolate, fruits. Most foods containing carbohydrates (pasta, bread, sweets, cereals, etc.) are prohibited. It is recommended to sit on a ketogenic diet for at least three months.

Dietitian's opinion

This diet contains a large amount of saturated fat, a small amount of protein and carbohydrates. It can be useful for autoimmune diseases and bulimia. But it cannot be used as a regular diet.

Such a diet can be dangerous for those who do not digest fats well or have hereditary diseases, as well as diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

2. Intermittent fasting

This is intermittent fasting. The most common mode is to spend 16 hours without food and drink only water, and at 8 hours eat as usual. Or you can starve only on weekends.

Adepts of this diet believe that the "hungry" period in the body starts the process of autophagy - getting rid of unnecessary cells and self-regeneration. Due to this, a person not only loses weight, but also strengthens immunity. It is recommended to practice intermittent fasting once every 1-2 weeks.

Dietitian's 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 such practice should not be regular. You can arrange unloading once a month (with a maximum duration of one 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 disorders or chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is necessary to prepare correctly and in advance: do not try to eat less at night, refuse fatty food, reduce the calorie content of the diet.

3. Flower diet

A fashionable trend, followers of which add edible flowers to their diet. According to supporters of this diet, the buds and petals contain useful substances - vitamins and antioxidants. For example, a drink made from dandelion flowers improves liver function and helps you lose weight. Rose petals are rich in vitamin C. Jasmine and hibiscus perfectly complement tea, linden can be added to an omelette, and marinated nasturtium buds can be used 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, at will.

Dietitian's opinion

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

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

4. Cabbage soup diet

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

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

Dietitian's opinion

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

5. Cleansing diet

It is designed to remove toxins, excess fluid, and lower blood sugar levels from the body. During the diet, the number of calories consumed is significantly reduced (up to 600-800 kcal). You can have juices and compotes, raw, boiled or baked vegetables, vegetable broths, fresh fruits. 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.

Dietitian's opinion

Such a diet cannot be used at home under any circumstances. It is necessary to consult a specialist. Many cleaning procedures are performed exclusively under the supervision of a doctor and have contraindications. So experimenting at home is not the best option. You can only worsen the situation and, at the very least, earn problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Such a diet is well suited as a preparation for starvation.

6. Raw diet

Its essence is simple: use only raw products of plant origin, as well as eggs and fish. Vegetables, fruits and dried fruits, seeds, sprouted grains, nuts, dairy products, herbs and spices, freshly squeezed juices, honey, green and herbal teas, vegetable oil are allowed.

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

Dietitian's opinion

Some products should not be consumed raw at all, as they are poorly digested. You will definitely not eat meat raw, except for fish. However, it may contain a large amount of toxic substances and heavy metals (for example, mercury) that will harm your health.

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

7. Alkaline diet

This is a diet based on a certain ratio of alkaline and acidic products - optimally, if it is 7: 3. The first ones include vegetables, fruits, greens, berries, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, oil, lean fish and meat, brown rice and buckwheat . To the others - bread, legumes, fatty meat, eggs, tea, coffee.

Fractional (4-5 times a day) food, minimal salt consumption, abstinence from alcohol, and plenty of water are recommended.

Dietitian's opinion

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

In any case, before going on any diet, you need to be examined and find out whether you have any contraindications. And remember that quickly lost kilograms usually return.