Flat Belly Diet Review: Weight Loss Eating Plan

Dieters Lose Fat, Improve Health, Attitude With Prevention’s Method

Jan 8, 2009

Focusing on eating healthy foods containing MUFAs such as avocados, peanut butter and dark chocolate, helps dieters lose weight following the "no-hunger" Flat Belly Diet.

The Flat Belly Diet! ® promises dieters weight loss without exercise, and this is true. Yet, a change in attitude, decreased stress and a lifestyle change are in fact the biggest gains of the Flat Belly Diet. Dieters gain confidence while focusing on healthy eating, and by seeing results.

First Phase: Anti-Bloat

The 4-day Anti-Bloat Jump Start diet is a successful way to lose a few pounds, much of this consisting of water retention that causes bloating. This strict 1,200 calorie diet, when followed correctly, will lead to weight loss for most people. Yet, dieters should take caution as it can also lead to fatigue and hunger. The authors explain that this jump start phase is needed in order to get the body more accustomed to eating 4 meals a day, and end bloating. The jump start phase focuses on foods that are anti-bloating, staying away from salt, fried foods, acidic drinks, and high carbs. A drink called Sassy water is a staple drink of this phase of the Flat Belly Diet. The refreshing drink consists of water infused with lemon, cucumber, ginger and mint.

Second Phase: Flat Belly Diet

Dieters will find the most value in the second phase of the Flat Belly Diet, where weight loss is consistent and healthier. This stage lasts 28 days, requiring dieters to follow a less-stringent plan than the 4-day anti-bloat diet. Flat Belly Dieters consume four 400 calorie meals, consisting of breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack. Dieters can choose to have the snack at anytime during the day, as long as they do not exceed 4 hours between meals. The authors make sure that dieters do not feel overly hungry, which can lead to unhealthy, binge eating.

The meals on the Flat Belly Diet are healthy and satisfying. Meal examples include a Fruit and Nut Cereal breakfast, where dieters consume a bowl of cereal, nuts and fruit, providing essential nutrients and vitamins for a well-balanced meal. Lunches and Dinners consist of proteins, vegetables and low carbohydrate options. Meals focus on healthy grains, whole wheat breads and pastas, organic white meats, vegetarian options, and many fruit options. Meals during this phase of the diet can be interchanged, for example, one day could include four Breakfast meals, etc. Dieters are encouraged to find meals they enjoy and try out new options.

One of the main emphasis of the Flat Belly Diet is on mono-unsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs at each meal. According to the diet, MUFAs include healthy oils, olives, avocados, nuts and seeds, and dark chocolate. Dieters are free to choose any MUFA to add to the meal, as they are exchangeable. A complete table of MUFA options is included in the Flat Belly Diet book. MUFA servings include ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons of almonds, or sunflower seeds, 10 olives, 2 tablespoons peanut butter and many more options.

The drawbacks of the Flat Belly Diet lie mostly in the first four days. This restrictive diet limits drinking to Sassy water only, constraining coffee, tea, soda pop, and acidic juice. The diet does not mention drink options during the rest of Flat Belly Diet, assuming that dieters will stick to water. It is not clear what dieters should drink or not drink during the diet. Another weakness of the plan is that the diet does not mention taking multi-vitamins during the diet.

The Flat Belly Diet book by Liz Vaccariello and Cynthia Sass is available at most retail bookstores or online at Prevention’s website. The Prevention site also contains a Flat Belly Diet webpage with additional information and weight loss support. As with any weight loss plan, dieters should contact a physician before beginning a new diet.

Reference:

The copyright of the article Flat Belly Diet Review: Weight Loss Eating Plan in Diet Trends is owned by Aurae Beidler. Permission to republish Flat Belly Diet Review: Weight Loss Eating Plan in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.