The military diet is a three-day diet that requires participants to severely reduce their calorie intake for three days. In spite of its name, the diet is not based on the actual diet followed by members of the military. This diet is also referred to as Cleveland Clinic diet and the Three Day Diet.
What Do You Eat On This Diet?
This three-day diet plan asks participants to eat small meals that are low in calories and carbohydrates. The diet plan outlines what followers should eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on each day of the diet.
For breakfast on the first day, followers are asked to limit themselves to 1 cup of unsweetened tea or coffee, 1 piece of wheat toast with nut butter, and 1/2 of grapefruit. Lunch is limited to 1 cup of tea or coffee, 1 piece of toast, and 1/2 can of tuna. For dinner, followers are allowed 3 ounces of meat, 1 cup of vegetables, 1 apple, half a banana, and 1 cup of low-calorie ice cream.
On the second day of the diet, breakfast consists of 1 egg, 1 piece of toast, and half a banana. Lunch is 1 egg, 5 crackers, and 1 cup of cottage cheese. Dinner is 2 plain hot dogs, 1 cup of broccoli, 1/2 cup of carrots, half a banana, and 1/2 cup of ice cream.
The third day of the diet is the most restrictive. Breakfast is 1 apple, 1 piece of cheese, and 5 crackers. Lunch is one egg and one piece of toast. Dinner is 1 cup of tuna, 1 cup of ice cream, and half a banana.
How Does The Diet Work?
Proponents of this diet say that the calorie restrictions will allow followers to lose significant amounts of weight in a short period of time. Many people claim that you can lose 10 pounds in just three days. Advocates of this diet also say that eating the right combinations of food boosts the metabolism, making it easier to shed excess weight.
Is This Diet Safe?
Experts recommend that women consume at least 1,000 calories per day, even when following a strict diet. The lowest amount of calories that a man can safely consume is 1,200 per day.
The first two days of the military diet are within the safe limit for women. The diet plan for the first day adds up to about 1,100 calories, while the plan for the second day allows followers to consume about 1,200 calories. However, the number of calories consumed on the third day is very low. It only allows followers to consume about 800 calories.
Because this diet is so restrictive, followers should talk to their doctor before starting the diet. Doctors will be able to look at a patient’s medical history and determine whether or not this diet is safe for them.
There are a number of positive reports surrounding the military diet. However, aspects of this diet have the potential to be harmful. It’s best for people to discuss weight loss options with a doctor before adopting a diet like this.
