Explaining The Basics of The Military Diet

Photo by: Bigstockphoto
Photo by: Bigstockphoto

The Military Diet is a 3-day program formulated chemically to burn off more fat and boost the metabolic rate. This diet program is not as restrictive as others, but you are required to limit your caloric intake per day. The Military diet does not require any form of diet pills. You’re also not required to drink replacement meals or exercise vigorously to lose weight.

How the Military Diet Works

The military diet is comprised of regulated, low calorie and carbohydrate intake. The difference is you only eat food combinations that are “chemically formulated” to improve the metabolic rate and melt fat. And that’s key to the success of the program. If you do the diet correctly, you could lose 10 pounds in just a week. And so, you have to learn how to count calories before committing to this diet program.

The basic rule is to eat the foods listed on the Military diet menu. Certain alternatives are allowed. For instance, you can replace a fruit with another fruit. You could also replace lentils with meat, etc. But the exact portions have to be the same. The meals should provide a total of 850 to 1,150 calories per day. This diet restricts all kinds of fats and condiments except nonstick cooking spray, salt and pepper and lemon juice. Herbs, spices and sweeteners like sucralose are also allowed. As for beverages, you can drink water, tea and black coffee.

A typical breakfast consists of food with a total of 266 calories. You can start with a piece of dry toast, an egg, and a banana. As for lunch, you need to eat a meal with a total of 273 calories. This could be a cup of low-fat cottage cheese with five saltine crackers. Snacks are strictly not allowed. During dinner time, you can eat foods with a total of 610 calories.

Benefits of Military Diet

If done right, you can lose significant weight. However, if you don’t exercise while dieting, you will only lose water weight. Once you go back to your usual eating habits, you will gain all the weight back.

Most dieters love the military diet because it’s easy and straightforward. It leaves little room for confusion. All the meals are very easy to prepare. You don’t need to use exotic herbs and spices make your meals. Another benefit of the military diet is it’s very affordable. You don’t have to take nutritional supplements or meal replacement powders to lose weight.

Disadvantages of the Military Diet

The daily recommended calories intake for men and women is 1,800 and 1,200, respectively. This diet cuts the minimum caloric intake to 850 to 1,150 calories per day. This means, throughout the period of dieting, you will not get the energy you need to complete usual tasks. You will also develop nutrient deficiencies.

Doing the military diet in intervals could also lead to yo-yo dieting. You lose and weight gain periodically. This causes organ damage. It could weaken the immune system and lead to heart diseases. Finally, because the military diet does not promote exercising or balanced diet, it encourages an unhealthy lifestyle.

But is it Safe?

Although you could lose weight by the military diet, it’s not the safest diet program out there. According to Victoria Taylor, a senior dietician for the British Heart Foundation, military diet will not lead to healthy or sustainable weight loss. If you have heart disease or a chronic medical condition, you are not allowed to try the Military diet. The same thing goes for lactating and pregnant women.


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