Military diet plan (let's call it MDP) is gaining popularity among dietbetters as well as the general population outside as a way to quickly shed pounds gained after a high calotie splurge such as the Holidays or a family event.
The results vary but most agree it works! i.e at the end of the diet people see positive results on the scale - if you have followed the diet, that is.
There is so much literature on the web about the plan, the primary source being www.themilitarydiet.com. As someone that has done it with some level of success I would like to share some titbits based on my experience. This is part one of the three part series :-), just to give me some time.
1) Know thy food
Every healthy eating plan (hate the word diet!) revolves around specific nutrients in the food items that make the plan. And not only it is useful to understand how the plan works, it is very important so you have a certain amount of control over what you put in your body. After all its your body.
For example, Grapefruit, which is part of the plan is alkaline in nature and is used to improve pH balance of the body. Fat flourishes in an acidic environment and so the alkaline Grapefuit helps in letting go of body fat, so to speak.
Another example is Pectin, found in Apple, makes you fuller quicker thus controlling appetite and also regulates blood sugar level.
This kind of knowledge, the WHY behind every food in the plan, helped me dodge a couple of bullets. Though hot dogs are a tasty treat and once in a while my family indulges in it, we try to avoid it as much as possible because of its highly processed nature, high salt content and presence of nitrates in it.
Occassionally buying a hot dog in a fair is one thing, but incorporating that in the family shopping list is a big no-no for us as it could be habit forming. I had been on the plan atleast three times so far (the experience on those is a topic for a separate blog). And I might do it in the future as well. But I certainly do not want the plan get me and my family members, especially my 7 year old son, into the habit of regularly eating hot dogs just because it is in the fridge.
I figured a hot dog in the plan is to allow variety but most importantly for its protein and fat content. Both keep you fuller longer, curbing cravings. I replaced hot dogs with baked chicken breast but with similar calories.
Same with saltines. They are mostly white flour with salt. Not very nutritional. I eat whole wheat crackers again with similar calories.
Bottomline, if you intend to follow the plan know the "secret" behind each food in the plan and make wise choices. You do not want to loose a few pounds for the weigh-in but catch up on some unhealthy eating habits in the long run.