Chemical Breakdown Diet

From LoveToKnow Diet

A chemical breakdown diet claims that by eating certain food combinations at specific times of the day you will lose weight. Also called the 3-Day Diet, Greenlane Diet, and the British Heart Foundation Diet, this diet has a dangerously low calorie intake that promotes quick water weight loss and yo-yo dieting.

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Chemical Breakdown Claims

Although the chemical breakdown eating plan has many names and varied menus, proponents of the plan say that eating a combination of certain foods in specific amounts will lead to dramatic weight loss. However, there is nothing special about the foods or combinations of foods in this eating plan. Any weight loss is due to the low calorie intake that the plan specifies, not a mystical chemical reaction.

Weight loss claims vary, with some followers claiming that they lost up to forty pounds in a month. There is no empirical evidence that such drastic weight loss occurs, nor that any weight loss achieved as a result of this plan is retained over time. For most moderately overweight people, losing forty pounds in a month without a drastic medical intervention or a serious medical problem is impossible.

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Typical Three Day Plan

Most of these diets recommend that the plan be followed for three days with four days of healthy eating directly afterwards. You are encouraged to drink lots of water when following the plan. To lose more weight, you start the cycle once more. This three day plan is called the British Heart Foundation Diet, although it is not associated with the British Heart Foundation. The eating plan is similar to another fad diet, the Scarsdale Diet.

Breakfast: 5 saltine crackers, 1 slice of cheddar cheese, 1 small apple, 1 cup black tea

Lunch: 1 boiled egg, 1 slice of dry toast, 1 cup black tea

Dinner: 1 cup of tuna, 1 cup of beetroot, 1 cup of cauliflower, 1/2 melon, 1/2 cup of diet vanilla ice-cream, 1 cup black tea

Another variation on the chemical breakdown eating plan has a different menu for each of the three days. The following menu is for the first day.

Breakfast: 1 piece of toast, 2 tbs. Peanut butter, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee or tea

Lunch: 1 piece of toast, 1/2 cup tuna (in water), 1 small apple, coffee or tea

Dinner: 3 oz lean meat, 1 cup beets, 1 cup green beans, 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream, coffee or tea

Despite the claim that only certain foods interact chemically to burn fat, the only similarities between these two plans are that both menus make use of low calorie common diet foods while neglecting needed nutrients and fiber.

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Alternatives to the Chemical Breakdown Diet

Any reputable weight loss plan endorsed by your physician is better than the chemical breakdown diet. While you may not have a quick initial drop in weight like you would with any unhealthy fad diet, you will experience sustainable, safe weight loss. If you are considering any weight loss plan, it is a good idea to speak with your doctor. He or she will be able to evaluate your health as well as your intended diet plan to make sure that it is safe as well as effective.

When evaluating weight loss plans, keep in mind that it is important for the menus to have reasonable variety and caloric intake. Anything that is too restrictive or that does not meet your body's nutritional needs will not produce long term successful weight loss. Adding a regular exercise program that includes cardio, weight training, and stretching can also help you meet your weight loss goals.

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Final Considerations

The chemical breakdown diet may seem alluring, but like most fad diets it fails to deliver the substantial weight loss it promises. The fact that this diet has so many different names and is attributed to several different sources further strains credibility. Respected medical institutions like the British Heart Foundation have spoken out against this type of dieting, stating it is both dangerous and ineffective.

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