For some reason, it is generally accepted that in summer the fat accumulated over the winter evaporates on its own due to an active lifestyle. Whatever it is! Many of us, pulling out light shorts and wide sundresses at the end of the season, realize that we have gained significantly in weight. They immediately remember the funny barbecue trips, and pleasant gatherings in the ice cream parlor, and exotic delicacies that are tasted in a foreign resort.
But this is not the time to lose heart, you have to act! August-September is the time of watermelon, and the sugar pulp of the striped berry is not only delicious, but also useful for those who dream of losing weight. Nutritionists call the watermelon diet one of the most effective and gentle. During it, you will not have to deal with the painful feeling of hunger that interferes with life and work. You just need to follow a diet and the positive dynamics will not last long.
What is the effectiveness of watermelon diet
Watermelon pulp is a storehouse of valuable micro- and macroelements, vitamins and organic acids. The salts of iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sodium contained in it have a beneficial effect on the work of the digestive, hematopoietic and cardiovascular systems. Watermelon fibers help cleanse the body of toxins and remove harmful cholesterol. The acid-base balance is regulated by the presence of alkaline compounds in the product, and pectin fibers normalize intestinal motility. In addition, regular consumption of watermelon is an excellent cancer prevention.
How to calculate a portion
As much as the benefits of watermelon are invaluable, uncontrolled eating of juicy pulp, as well as any product, can lead to catastrophic consequences - diarrhea, nausea and severe abdominal pain.
The formula for calculating the individual daily dose is simple: 1 kg of watermelon pulp for every 10 kg of your weight. That is, if you weigh 60 kg, without danger to health, you can not eat more than 6 kg of watermelon, of course, not in one sitting, but dividing it into equal portions.
Watermelon diet options
If you are afraid that you will have to eat only watermelon pulp during the diet, then that is not the case. The striped miracle berry goes well with other foods, which allows you to diversify the menu. Choose the version of the watermelon diet that suits you:
- With melon: a well-known aromatic relative - melon - comes to the aid of the sugar bun. During this diet, you eat light, low-calorie foods (fatty fresh cheese, hard cheese, lean meat, vegetables), and slices of melon serve as a healthy snack.
- With kefir: very good in the summer heat. Within 3 days you consume only the pulp of striped berries and kefir-zero (you can take 1%). The interval between meals is 3 hours.
- With black bread: a good option for those who lack flour during the diet. You simply change slices of watermelon with rye toast and you become almost 1 kg lighter per day. The duration of the course is 10 days.
- With cucumber: for 2 weeks you eat only watermelons and cucumbers (1 kg per day). It is allowed to "dilute" the daily menu with 1-2 rye toast and a glass of zero yogurt.
- With rice: This option only allows watermelon and rice (steamed, wild or brown). Daily norm of the product: rice - 100 g, watermelon pulp - no more than 1 kg for every 20 kg of weight.
- With fresh cheese: the optimal weight loss program for dessert lovers. For breakfast and afternoon tea, eat low-fat cottage cheese (150-200 g each), and for the rest of the meal, enjoy the pulp of striped berries.
- With buckwheat porridge: an option that allows you to lose weight without feeling hungry. Allowed buckwheat (1 kg per day) in oil-free water, watermelon (not more than 5 kg per day), fresh vegetable salads and non-alcoholic non-carbonated drinks (green and herbal tea, water with lemon) without sugar.
- Watermelon proteins are an ideal diet for carnivores. It is allowed to eat lean meat, lean fish, watermelon (2 kg per day) and dairy products (low-fat yogurt, fat-free kefir, 1% milk). The optimal duration of the course is 10 days.
When sitting on a watermelon diet, keep in mind that, above all, the course of weight loss involves giving up starchy foods, sweets, salt, carbonated and alcoholic beverages. Coffee lovers can replace their morning tea with a cup of your favorite drink.
Duration of watermelon diet
So, the decision to lose weight was made. Now assess the scale of the problem (number of extra pounds) and your own willpower. Now select the course of the appropriate duration:
- 1, 2 or 3 days is difficult, but effective relief of the organism, during which it is allowed to consume only watermelon and liquid (water, green tea).
- 5, 7, 10 or 14 days - milder programs in which watermelon "works in a team" with other products.
Try not to show excessive fanaticism, because only an absolutely healthy person can withstand a long course of mono-diet (watermelon diet is like that) without unpleasant consequences.
To me
According to many who lose weight, the most successful course of watermelon diet is a five-day, which allows you to use, in addition to watermelons, other low-calorie foods.
Here is what your diet plan will look like for this period:
Day 1
First breakfast:
- half a cup of tea (preferably green) or pure still water;
- 1 soft-boiled chicken egg;
- a small portion of any porridge on the water.
Second breakfast: 2-3 slices of watermelon.
dinner:
- salad (cucumbers + tomato) with olive oil;
- 200 g lean fish;
- green tea.
Snack: slices of watermelon.
Dinner (3-4 hours before bedtime): watermelon.
Day 2
First breakfast:
- 200 g unsweetened low-fat cottage cheese;
- 2-3 slices of watermelon;
- half a cup of tea or water (optional).
Second breakfast: a portion of watermelon.
dinner:
- unsalted rice porridge on oil-free water;
- watermelon.
snack:
- 50 g low-fat cottage cheese without sugar;
- 2 slices of watermelon.
Dinner: we cook the same as for lunch.
Day 3
First breakfast:
- unsweetened tea;
- 180 g of fat-free cottage cheese;
- fruit salad (half a green apple + watermelon).
Second breakfast: watermelon - 2 small slices.
dinner:
- 100 g cooked chicken breast;
- salad (fresh cucumber + herbs), seasoned with olive oil or lemon juice.
- tea or water.
Snack: watermelon.
Dinner: vegetables - stewed, cooked or steamed.
Day 4
First breakfast:
- portion of oatmeal without oil. It can be boiled or steamed overnight in a thermos;
- a small slice of hard cheese;
- tea.
Second breakfast: watermelon - 2-3 slices.
dinner:
- 250 g of any lean meat grilled or steamed;
- vegetable salad (tomato + paprika + cucumber) with olive oil;
- water.
Snack: a few slices of watermelon.
dinner:
- low-fat cottage cheese - 100 g;
- 1 pear or green apple.
Day 5
First breakfast:
- fruit salad (watermelon + green apple + prunes);
- tea.
Second breakfast: watermelon.
dinner:
- fresh vegetable soup;
- a slice of black bread;
- tea.
Snack: 1 chicken egg (hard boiled or omelet).
Dinner: "shock" portion of watermelon - 400 g.
By eating this way during the course you can lose up to 4-5 kg. If you need to lose more, and you still have the strength to continue, try to endure on this diet not 5, but 10 days. Accordingly, the menu of the first day is similar to the menu of the sixth day, etc.
How to get out of a diet with watermelons
Completing a diet course doesn’t mean at all that you can predatorily pounce on previously banned smoked meats, pickles, and desserts, because the pounds that have fallen so hard can quickly return to their original places. Continue to eat light, healthy foods such as cereals, fresh and stewed vegetables, fruits, cooked meats and lean fish. Portions of rather annoying watermelon can be reduced, but you shouldn’t completely exclude the striped berry from the menu. The transition will take as long as the diet itself.
Contraindications
The benefits of watermelon are an indisputable fact, but not everyone can consume it in large quantities. People with pathologies of the kidneys, choleretic and genitourinary system are in danger. Miraculous berry is contraindicated in the last trimester of pregnancy, during breastfeeding and in diabetes mellitus.
And remember! A watermelon diet will help you achieve the desired result, but to maintain it, you will have to lead a healthy lifestyle, stop smoking and abuse alcohol, and also say goodbye to everyday cheesecakes. You can handle it! Good luck!