If you are reading this right now, you are probably searching how to lose ten pounds without exercising or something along those lines, here in this article, we introduce you to a diet that makes it possible to lose weight without much of an effort.
What is Military Diet?
Military Diet is a low-calorie diet plan where the calories you take in a day is limited to 1,400 for the first day, 1,200 calories in the second day and approximately 1,100 calories in the third day and for the next four days, you can eat healthy foods.
The foods that are in the diet plan are supposedly the foods that help you burn fat faster. You cannot have any snacks in between meals, and all the meals that you eat are predetermined.
How does this work?
During a military diet eating fewer calories in itself helps to lose weight. Because you will be eating a lot less than you are supposed to be eating in a day, your weight loss will kick in immediately. Rather than burning calories, this diet focuses explicitly more on a calorie deficit. It is basic science.
When you burn more calories than you eat, your body will lose weight. However, the weight you will be losing is more of water then weight. When we restrict carbs and calories, the glycogen level of the body will be declined.
As a result, water weight gets declined very rapidly. This makes your scales look good, but it is only temporary. Once you start eating normally again, you will gain that weight right back.
The Meal Plan
Here is the meal plan that you should be following in Military Diet:
Day 1
For your first day of the military diet, have half a grapefruit, one slice of toast, two tablespoons (tbsp) of peanut butter, preferably a salt-free and sugar-free brand, and 1 cup of caffeinated coffee or tea.
Have half a cup of tuna, one slice of toast and 1 cup of caffeinated coffee or tea for lunch.
And for dinner have 3 ounces of any meat, 1 cup of green beans, half a banana, one small apple and 1 cup of vanilla ice cream.
Day 2
On the second day of your military diet have one egg, one slice of toast, and half a banana.
For lunch have one hard-boiled egg, 1 cup of cottage cheese and five saltine crackers
Lastly, for dinner, have two hot dogs but without the buns, 1 cup of broccoli, half a cup of carrots, half a banana, and half a cup of vanilla ice cream.
Day 3
For your third day of the military diet, eat five saltine crackers, one slice of cheddar cheese, and one small apple.
Have one hard-boiled egg and one slice of toast for lunch.
For your final day dinner of military diet eat 1 cup of tuna, half a banana and 1 cup of vanilla ice cream
Remaining Days Of Military Diet
The remaining days in the week also involve dieting. Additionally, you don’t have any restriction over snacks and other food groups. However, you need to make sure that you are intaking a total calorie of around 1,500 per day.
On the other hand, it is essential to have control over what you are drinking as well. Further, you should drink a lot of water throughout this diet plan. You can also drink herbal teas.
On your first day of the diet, coffee is allowed. However, you cannot put any creamers, sweeteners, and sugar. Alcohol is obvious to be banned.
Military Diet For vegetarian
Day 1
If you are a vegetarian on your first day of the military diet, you can have half a grapefruit, one slice of toast, 2 tbsp peanut butter and 1 cup of caffeinated coffee or tea.
For lunch, have half an avocado, 2 tbsp hummus, one slice of whole-wheat toast, and 1 cup of caffeinated coffee or tea.
For dinner, you can have tofu (up to 300 calories), 1 cup of green beans, half a banana, one small apple, and 1 cup of vanilla ice cream. If you are a vegan, you can use dairy-free ice cream.
Day 2
For breakfast on day 2, you can have half a cup of baked beans, one slice of whole-wheat toast, and half a banana.
On lunch, have 1 cup of unsweetened soy, hemp, or almond milk, half an avocado, 2 tbsp hummus, and five saltine crackers.
Finally, for dinner, you can have two veggie hot dogs without the buns, 1 cup of broccoli, half a cup of carrots, half a banana and half a cup of vanilla ice cream. It can also be dairy-free.
Day 3
Eat one slice of cheddar cheese (for vegans, about 15–20 almonds), five saltine crackers or half a cup of couscous or quinoa, and one small apple for breakfast.
Have half an avocado, 1 tbsp hummus, and one slice of whole-wheat bread for lunch.
Lastly, for dinner, have half a cup of canned chickpeas, half a banana, and 1 cup of vanilla ice cream, which can be dairy-free.
Should you follow the Military diet?
Most importantly, the fact that this diet has nothing to do with the military despite its name being military diet is a red flag in itself. According to a registered dietitian, Toby Amidor:
The military diet is not enough to complete daily nutrition-especially since high-calorie, low-nutrient foods like hot dogs and vanilla ice cream are part of the limited menu.”
She further explains, “Due to the lack of adequate amounts of whole grains, vegetables, dairy, and protein, you won’t be able to meet your complete nutrient needs over these three days.“
This diet is very much low on carbs and calories because of which it might help you lose weight, but it is not healthy for your body. Also, restricting yourself from eating calories may deteriorate your health. Since you will not be getting enough nutrients for your body, you can fall sick.
Also, there is no long term benefit for you in this diet. Eventually, you will gain back all the weight, and chances are even more when you go back to your healthy diet. Therefore, we do not suggest you follow this diet. There are a lot of other healthy ways to lose weight than this. However, if you are only looking to shed a few pounds before an event or a party, this diet might come in handy.
