There are hundreds of different diets for weight management and weight loss.Fasting diets based on fruits, berries and vegetables are very popular.The watermelon diet is seasonal.The most suitable period is August and the first half of September.This is when the juicy, sweet and tasty berries with green striped skin and red watery pulp ripen.A watermelon-only diet not only helps you lose weight, but also improves your body's health.But let's also look at the disadvantages and contraindications of shedding extra kilos.After all, our goal is not to harm the body, but only to benefit it.
Composition of watermelon
Although watermelon consists mainly of water, it still contains many valuable substances for the body.
The berry contains:
- Vitamins – A, C, B, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, PP.All of them are necessary for our body, without them metabolic processes are impossible.
- Pectin - cleans blood vessels of cholesterol deposits, improves heart function.
- Fiber - improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, cleans it of toxins, speeds up metabolism, promotes weight loss.
- Fructose - stimulates brain function, relieves fatigue, and fills the body with energy.
- Folic acid is necessary for the absorption of protein, participates in the formation of hemoglobin, regulates cell division, and promotes rejuvenation.
- Minerals (magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, sodium, zinc) - all these substances are needed by our cells, nervous system, bone tissue, muscles and blood.
The berry has been cultivated for a very long time, so the watermelon diet has been around for decades.It is especially popular in hot countries.
Preference
A diet based on juicy watermelon not only helps you lose extra pounds, but also cleanses your body and improves your health, as the berry has many beneficial properties.
What are the effects of the watermelon diet?
- It removes toxins and waste from the body.
- Cleanses the kidneys and liver.
- It reduces cholesterol levels, reduces cholesterol plaques in blood vessels.
- It normalizes bowel function.
- It stimulates the metabolism.
- Burns fat deposits.
- It reduces the risk of cancer and other diseases.
- It increases the level of immunity.
- Improves general well-being.
Watermelon has a strong diuretic effect.This is exactly the main effect of the diet.Already in the first 2-3 days, it empties all excess fluid from the body.The swelling goes away, lightness appears in the body, and the condition improves.
The berry has a very beneficial effect on the kidneys, liver and gall bladder.The diet is recommended for diseases such as arthritis, gout, hepatitis, heart disease, high blood pressure, anemia, etc.The watermelon diet is very effective for skin inflammation and psoriasis.The product is also recommended for men and women with problems of the urogenital system.It is believed that the berry will lose significant weight in a few days.It is not surprising, because despite the sweetness of watermelon, it contains very few calories - only 25 kcal / 100 g.At the same time, it perfectly quenches hunger and thirst.The taste is very pleasant, so the diet does not cause hostility.
Is there any damage?
There are monodiets that contain only one berry, and they are combined when other products are included in the diet in addition to watermelon.But monoration is considered very strict and not suitable for everyone.
Despite the many beneficial effects of the watermelon mono-diet, it is prohibited in the period of exacerbation of inflammatory diseases of the kidney and urinary tract and some other diseases (cystitis, urethritis).Diuretic products should be used with great care in case of kidney stones.You cannot follow such a strict diet if you have gastrointestinal diseases and diabetes.
It is worth considering that weight loss can occur very quickly with a watermelon diet.Not all organisms are able to adapt immediately, so deterioration of the general state of health and worsening of any disease is possible.People who are slightly overweight should be especially careful.
Even if a person feels healthy and has no chronic diseases, it is advisable to consult a doctor before starting a diet.Nutritionists recommend that you eat watermelon, listening carefully to your feelings.If discomfort occurs and your health deteriorates, you must stop the diet immediately.
The benefits and harms of the watermelon diet largely depend on the quality of the berry.
How to choose a good watermelon?
The natural time for watermelon to ripen is late summer, early autumn.Today, "green stripes" can be found on store shelves much earlier.But such berries are almost always grown artificially with the addition of large amounts of salt.They are much less useful, and you can get poisoned from watermelons filled with chemicals.
So let's see how to choose the right quality product:
- The rind of a ripe watermelon is richly colored, shiny and smooth.
- There should be no obvious damage, stains or cracks on the bark.A large light (usually yellow) spot does not count.This is where the watermelon lay in contact with the ground.The sun doesn't reach it, so it stays light.
- It is worth choosing berries that are not too large.The optimal weight is 3-4 kg.
- When tapped, the berry should make a ringing sound.
- The tail of a ripe watermelon is shriveled and dark.
It is not recommended to buy watermelons in trays near roads.After lying on the highway for a long time, they absorb exhaust gases, dust and other impurities.
How many days can you stay on a watermelon diet?
Many people who want to try this weight loss method for the first time are interested in how many days they can continue the watermelon diet without negative consequences.
The duration of the diet depends on many factors: the initial weight, the state of health and the chosen nutritional option.A strict watermelon monodiet should not exceed 5 days.If a person is trying this type of diet for the first time, the optimal duration would be 3 days.With a diet that also includes other foods, you can extend the diet to 10-12 days.
Don't forget that one watermelon cannot replace the body's entire daily nutrient needs.If you stick to such diets for too long, you can develop vitamin deficiencies and seriously damage your health.It is also necessary to enter and exit the strict watermelon diet correctly.
How to properly prepare for and exit the watermelon diet?
In no case should you suddenly switch from a "feast" to a hunger strike.So the body, and especially the stomach, will only suffer.
3 days before the start of the diet, you should switch to gentle and as natural food as possible.Eat porridge, vegetables, steamed or baked foods, fermented milk products.Smoked meats, pickles, fast food, baked goods, snacks, and carbonated drinks are completely excluded from the diet.Food should be taken in small portions, 5-6 times a day.
Fluid intake should also be increased so that the body gradually gets used to its larger volume.It is advisable to drink water and green tea, you can add rosehip decoction and herbal teas.Coffee and strong tea are allowed in minimal quantities.
After finishing the watermelon mono-diet, the same soft exit is required.You need to eat low-calorie foods for another week.Fruits, vegetables and greens should dominate the diet.
Various options for the watermelon diet
There are several options for the watermelon diet, everyone can choose the one that suits them best.
Strict diet (mono)
Such a strict watermelon diet guarantees minus 10 kg per week.But it's very hard to stay on it.It is designed for 5 days, but 2-3 days after the exit, the body undergoes intensive fat burning and cleansing.You can start such a diet only after examination and consultation with a doctor.
For the first two days, they only eat watermelon.To maintain water balance, you should drink additional water, green tea or herbal tea.
To correctly calculate the amount of watermelon per day, the ratio of the product's glycemic index to body weight must be calculated.The GI of watermelon is 70-80 units.It is perfectly acceptable to eat 1 kilogram of juicy pulp for every 10 kg of weight.For example, if your weight is 70 kg, you can eat up to 7 kg of watermelon per day, but not more.
Note!You can repeat the watermelon mono-diet, which is designed for 3 days, 2-3 times a month.
This dose should be divided into 5-7 doses.Berries should be eaten every 2-3 hours.In the period between meals, drink water or tea, but not too much, so as not to burden the kidneys.
If the hunger is unbearable, you can eat some crackers, crusty bread, or eat a portion of porridge with black bread.
If you feel good, you can extend the diet by a week, the result will be even more effective.But it is important not to overdo it here.
Watermelon-melon cleansing diet
This type of nutrition also helps you lose weight quickly and at the same time cleans the intestines well.Cantaloupe contains more fiber and is an excellent remedy for parasites.
Take the same amount of cantaloupe and watermelon, and eat them alternately.Melon is more caloric and nutritious, and it suppresses hunger better.It is advisable to start breakfast with it.Cantaloupe eaten on an empty stomach has an anti-parasitic effect.
If the hunger is too much to bear, don't torture yourself.Add some protein to your diet.You can eat white meat, cottage cheese, lentils and low-fat cheeses.
Fast days on watermelon and fermented milk products
This type of nutrition is designed for 7-10 days.In addition to watermelon, the diet includes: kefir, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, cheese curds.
Watermelons are eaten in the first half of the day (before 2:00 p.m.), and snacks are made from fermented milk products in the second half.Watermelon and cottage cheese cannot be eaten together.It is necessary that at least 2 hours pass between meals.It is acceptable to eat the berry in small quantities with rye, bran or whole grain bread.The watermelon-kefir (cottage cheese) diet helps you lose 3-5 kg in one week.The only disadvantage is that increased gas formation may occur.
Watermelon diet for weight loss for 14 days
This is a gentler program for those who do not need to lose as much excess weight (up to 5 kg).
A low-calorie menu is prepared for each day.There are 6 meals a day, 3 of which contain additional products and 3 pure berries.
Sample menu for the day:
- Breakfast - buckwheat porridge and 2 slices of watermelon.
- Snack – 2-3 slices of watermelon.
- Lunch - grilled chicken steak, 100 g of vegetable salad.
- Snack – 2-3 slices of berries.
- Dinner - 150 g of cottage cheese, a couple of crusty bread.
- The last snack is 2 slices of watermelon.
For breakfast, you can use any kind of porridge: oatmeal, millet, wheat, rice, cooked in water.It is advisable to combine proteins and fibers for lunch.It can be any lean meat with vegetables, beans, lentils, asparagus, vegetable soup.
For dinner, it is better to eat only protein.
Watermelon protein is a satisfying diet
This weight loss method is for those who cannot tolerate hunger.You can maintain this nutrition program for up to 10 days.2-3 meals a day should be rich in protein.You can eat watermelon with low-fat cheese or eggs for breakfast, and diet meat for lunch and dinner (up to 200 g at a time).Snacks only consist of berry slices.
Other types of watermelon diets
There is also a watermelon-apple, watermelon-cucumber, and watermelon-banana diet.Each should be aged for a maximum of 3-5 days.These products can be consumed together or separately from time to time.In the banana diet, you can eat no more than 1 piece per day.Do not forget that bananas are high in calories and very nutritious.The results of such diets are approximately the same.
Watermelon diet - can it be maintained during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, the woman's body needs an increased supply of vitamins.Any diet during pregnancy can only be prescribed by a doctor if there is a reason for it.Sometimes expectant mothers experience an insatiable appetite and gain too much excess weight.In the last trimester, this can have a very negative impact on a woman's health and well-being.In such cases, several days of fasting under medical supervision may be useful or even necessary.However, you cannot follow a strictly restricted diet alone during pregnancy.
Note!Pregnant women often experience swelling, especially in the last months.Diuretic products are good for them, but in moderation.
Advantages and disadvantages of the watermelon diet
Every diet has its pros and cons.The berry and watermelon diet does not do without them.
Advantages:
- Tasty.
- Available.
- Effectively cleanses the body.
- It makes you healthier.
- Removes excess fluid.
- Fast results.
Disadvantages:
- Only suitable at certain times of the year.
- Hungry (if we are talking about a mono-diet).
- It can be kept for a short time.
- Over a long period of time, it can wash out useful substances from the body and put a serious burden on the kidneys.
Contraindications
People suffering from the following diseases and health problems should not follow the watermelon diet:
- Kidney failure.
- Pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis in the acute stage.
- Stomach ulcer, gastritis.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Stones in the kidney or gall bladder.
- Pancreatitis.
- Infectious diseases.
The watermelon diet is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, as well as those with vitamin deficiencies.
The opinion of nutritionists - myths and reality
Let's see what the experts have to say about the berry diet for weight loss.
- The watermelon diet is completely safe.This is a wrong opinion;strictly contraindicated for some.And if done incorrectly, it can cause harm.
- Watermelon contains enough nutrients.The berry does not even contain half of the elements that the body needs on a daily basis.
- Watermelon is good for the kidneys.Only if they are healthy and can easily process large amounts of liquid.
- You can quickly lose up to 20 kg in one week using the berries.It all depends on the speed of a person's metabolism.But such drastic weight loss is not recommended.The optimal weight loss is no more than 10 kg per month.
The best and safest way to fast watermelon berries is 1 day a week.But on all other days, the diet should also be dietary.In one day, the berry perfectly cleans the intestines and removes excess fluid.Can you lose weight if you only eat like this 1 day a week?Yes, you need 1-3 kg per day.But remember that most of it is liquid.To keep it from coming back, you need to eat less salt, exercise more, and maintain a healthy diet.