But is the Oatmeal Diet everything you are wishing for? If you are looking to jump start your weight loss journey, it might be just what you are looking for. But while it may help you uncover your best bikini body, if you are looking for a long term diet solution, you might want to look elsewhere.
Read on to find out what the Oatmeal Diet is, who it’s good for, and if you can eat anything other than oatmeal while following the diet plan.
What is the Oatmeal Diet?
The Oatmeal Diet is a simple weight loss program that promises weight loss the “healthy” way. By essentially replacing all daily meals with oatmeal, the Oatmeal Diet fills you up with high fiber but low calorie food.
The Oatmeal Diet breaks down into 3 phases with the first phase being the most restrictive. Though the first phase is very restrictive, it lasts only a week. The second and third phase are both more balanced and last a month each. Both the first and second phase are very low in calories. All phases of the diet incorporate lots of oatmeal.
Does it work?
Whether or not the Oatmeal Diet works for you will vary based on your health goals and your personal tastes. If your goal is to jump start your weight loss journey and transition into a lasting healthy lifestyle, then it might work for you. However, if you don’t like oatmeal or can’t eat oats, then the diet is definitely not the right approach for you.
The diet’s supporters love that it pumps you full of good for you oats but ignore that it limits the variety of food you can eat. Limiting the food you can eat both cuts down on the calories you consume and cuts down on the variety of nutrients you take in. Your body needs a variety of nutritious food to keep itself running in top shape.
Who is the Oatmeal Diet best for?
The Oatmeal Diet suits people looking to lead a healthier lifestyle and lose a few pounds. If you are looking for a way to lose weight fast and not seeking a long term commitment, this is not the plan for you.
The first week of the diet plan may turn you off if you are not into following highly restrictive diets. However, it may appeal to you if you are looking for quick results.
The last phase of the Oatmeal Diet may appeal to those looking to make a permanent lifestyle phase. The third month of the diet is really just healthy eating with a focus on lower fat choices and more oatmeal.
The Oatmeal Diet: Pros and Cons
When deciding whether or not you want to give the Oatmeal Diet a try, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons. Changing your diet is a serious decision and requires a lot of commitment.
PROS:
- The diet offers some nutritional value.
- The last 2 phases of the diet can teach you to live a healthy lifestyle.
- Oatmeal has a number of documented health benefits including reducing cholesterol and cancer risk.
- May offer visible results.
- No cooking skills required.
CONS:
- The first week of the diet is dangerously low in calories.
- Eating a lot of oatmeal may get boring.
- You have to do some calorie counting.
- Eating that much fiber may cause some gi distress.
The Oatmeal Diet Meal Plan Phases
The Oatmeal Diet is broken down into 3 phases. The first phase lasts a week, while the next 2 phases each last a month. The first week is the most intense phase and has the lowest calorie count. The diet becomes increasingly less restrictive as the phases progress.
Phase One: The First Week
- Dieters only eat oatmeal.
- You can eat ½ cup of oatmeal for each meal with a ½ cup of skim milk.
- You can only eat whole oatmeal, not instant.
- No granola bars or instant oatmeal during this phase.
- Total calories consumed should be between 900 and 1200.
Phase Two: Weeks 2-5
- 1/2 cup of oatmeal is eaten with each meal.
- Instant oatmeal is now allowed.
- A snack of 1/2 cup of fruit is allowed in the morning.
- A snack of 1/2 cup of vegetables is allowed in the afternoon.
- Calories consumed during this phase should stay between 1000 and 1300.
Phase Three: Weeks 6-10
- Eat a normal, low calorie diet but stick to 1 snack and meal of oatmeal daily.
- You should limit fat intake while on this phase of the diet.
- Calories still matter. Aim to keep your calorie count low.
Oatmeal Diet Sample Meal Plan
DAY 1DAY 2DAY 3DAY 4DAY 5DAY 6
BREAKFAST
½ cup oatmeal
½ cup skim milk
1 tablespoon raisins
½ teaspoon cinnamon
coffee or tea
½ cup skim milk
1 tablespoon raisins
½ teaspoon cinnamon
coffee or tea
MORNING SNACK
½ cup blueberries
LUNCH
½ cup oatmeal
1/2 cup low fat yogurt
1 banana
1/2 cup low fat yogurt
1 banana
AFTERNOON SNACK
½ cup raw vegetable sticks
DINNER
4 oz grilled chicken breast
Large green salad
½ cup oatmeal
Large green salad
½ cup oatmeal
EVENING SNACK
Sugar-free pudding
The Oatmeal Diet Results
The Oatmeal Diet has the potential to deliver serious results. During the 2 months on the plan, users report losing as much as 40 pounds. In the first week, dieters have reported losing up to 5 pounds.
Results will vary based on the person. Some people find the monotony of the Oatmeal Diet very hard to stick to and wind up cheating out of boredom. Others have little trouble following it and add exercise into the mix. Those people will have better results than the those who cheat.
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