The Flat Belly Diet promises a flat belly and weight loss of up to 15 pounds in one month.
Written by Liz Vaccariello, editor-in-chief of Prevention, along with Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, former nutrition director at Prevention, the Flat Belly Diet is targeted to the millions of people who want to notch off a few inches or more off their waistline.
The basic Flat Belly Diet plan is a 1,600-calorie Mediterranean-style diet with an emphasis on wholesome, unrefined foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, seeds, lean protein, and very little red meat.
According to the authors, the secret ingredient in the Flat Belly Diet that whittles away belly fat is the addition of a monounsaturated fat, or MUFA, at every meal. MUFAs are found in olives, avocados, nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, soybean, flax, and olive and sunflower oils.
Before starting on the 28-day plan, dieters go on a 1,200- to 1400-calorie, four-day anti-bloat jump-start period designed to reduce bloating and get dieters in the mind-set of a healthier eating plan. During the jump-start, drink 2 liters of daily “sassy water,” a blend of spices, herbs, citrus, and cucumber.
Exercise is optional but strongly recomended. An entire chapter is devoted to the flat belly workout with diagrams of exercises, walking plans, and a 28-day workout plan.
The Flat Belly Diet: What to eat
If you are vegetarian or a meat eater, have food allergies, or are lactose intolerant, this plan can be adapted to meet individual needs. The plan designed for four, 400-calorie meals spaced every four hours, and each meal includes a MUFA.
No need to count calories. Instead, choose from a list of 28 interchangeable mix-and-match breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snack packs. Food lists with portion sizes and calories allow flexibility in creating snack packs and can be used whenever you need it most. Eighty recipes are included with nutrient analysis of calories, protein, carbohydrates, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and
fiber.
Sample Anti-Bloat Menu
Breakfast: 1 cup
Rice Krispies, 1 cup skim milk, 1/2 cup pineapple, 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
Lunch: 3 oz chunk light tuna in water, 1 cup carrots, 1 light string cheese
Dinner: 3 oz chicken breast, 1 cup mushrooms sauteed in 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1/2 cup brown
rice
Snack: pineapple smoothie (1 cup skim milk, 4 oz. pineapple, and 1 tablespoon flaxseed)
2 liters sassy water
Sample Flat Belly Menu
Breakfast: Apple almond oatmeal
Lunch: Pesto ham and cheese sandwich on whole-grain English muffin with lettuce & tomato and 1 cup grape tomatoes
Dinner: 3 oz grilled salmon steak with 2 tablespoons almonds, 1 1/2 cup green beans
Snack: 1/4 cup hummus with 2 tablespoons pine nuts and 1 cup red pepper strips
The Flat Belly Diet: What’s inside?!
The premise of the Flat Belly Diet is that if you trim calories to 1,600 per day, add a MUFA at every meal, eat every four hours, and get regular exercise (although this is optional) you will lose weight and belly fat.
When you lose weight, you are more likely to lose it in your midsection regardless of the type of weight loss plan, says Michael Jensen, MD, Mayo Clinic obesity researcher and endocrinology specialist. The plan offers a lifestyle of overall healthy diet, weight control, stress reduction, and exercise that could be sustained beyond the 32 days.
Beyond the diet book, a series of flat belly cookbooks, a pocket guide, journal, workout, and an online diet option are also available.
The Flat Belly Diet: Experts view
“There are so many variables associated with weight loss that it is premature to associate belly fat with a specific food or diet plan,” Jensen says.
Christine Rosenbloom, PhD, RD, Georgia State University professor emeritus, also questions some of the advice in the book. “The science behind the jump-start plan associated with stress, gum chewing, bulky raw foods, drinking carbonated drinks, alcohol, coffee, tea, and acidic fruit juices is pure speculation and not based on scientific research,” she says. “There is not adequate scientific evidence to link lack of sleep, stress, or MUFAs to a reduction in belly fat.”
Rosenbloom says, “To keep your belly in check, remember the acronym SED: Strength training to preserve muscle mass, Exercise aerobically to burn fat, and your Diet should be healthy, calorie-controlled, and include heart-healthy fats.”
Flat Belly Diet: Food for Thought
You can lose weight on The Flat Belly Diet plan, but don’t be fooled into thinking MUFAs have magic belly-flattening nutrients capable of melting away belly fat.
It is a calorie-controlled, Mediterranean-style diet plan that can help you lose weight in a safe and effective manner. The Mediterranean diet has been proven to be a nutritious and healthy plant-based plan that is good for your heart and overall health.
The Flat Belly Diet promises a flat belly and weight loss of up to 15 pounds in one month.
Written by Liz Vaccariello, editor-in-chief of Prevention, along with Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, former nutrition director at Prevention, the Flat Belly Diet is targeted to the millions of people who want to notch off a few inches or more off their waistline.
The basic Flat Belly Diet plan is a 1,600-calorie Mediterranean-style diet with an emphasis on wholesome, unrefined foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, seeds, lean protein, and very little red meat.
According to the authors, the secret ingredient in the Flat Belly Diet that whittles away belly fat is the addition of a monounsaturated fat, or MUFA, at every meal. MUFAs are found in olives, avocados, nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, soybean, flax, and olive and sunflower oils. Read more »