Oct

the Military Diet – peace. love. quinoa

Oct 25

Would you ever consider hot dogs, saltine crackers, and ice cream as part of your “diet” regimen? No, seriously, would you?

I’ve just recently been exposed to this 3-day crash diet people call the Military Diet. Before I offer any reaction, allow me to share this so-called diet:

DAY 1:
Breakfast– 1/2 Grapefruit, 1 piece toast, 3 tbsp peanut butter
Lunch– 1/2 cup Tuna, 1 slice toast
Dinner– 2 slices any meat (3oz), 1 cup string beans

DAY 2:
Breakfast– 1 boiled egg, 1 piece toast, 1/2 banana
Lunch– 1 cup cottage cheese, 5 saltine crackers
Dinner– 2 hotdogs, 1 cup broccoli, 1/2 cup carrots, 1/2banana, 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

DAY 3:
Breakfast– 5 saltine crackers, 1 slice cheddar chese, 1 apple
Lunch– 1 boiled egg, 1 slice toast
Dinner– 1 cup tuna, 1 cup beets, 1 cup cauliflower, 1/2 banana or 1/2 cantaloupe, 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

DO NOT vary or substitute any of the above foods, salt n pepper may be used but no other seasonings allowed.

After 3 days of crash dieting, you eat “normal” without “over doing it” and after 4 days of “normalcy” you would start back on the 3 day diet, so 3 days, off 4 days, on 3, off 4.

I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear that I’ve learned about this diet from two overweight girls who have no interest in clean eating and exercise. From what I gather, this diet is very low on the calorie count and high in protein in comparison to carbs. For someone who is “overweight”, eating this diminutive amount of food every 3 days will mirror the act of starvation and I’m sure that it will shock the system and cause a pound or two of weight loss a week. I’m not sure I believe that you could love 10 pounds a week or 40 pounds a month as they claim.

I can see how this “emergency crash-dieting” may be beneficial for someone entering the military, needing to meet BMI requirements however I can see in no way shape or form how this “diet” would be beneficial for the general population. This is in no way a healthy diet, or a healthy way to lose weight. (plus, what happens when you are done dieting and you start eating normal every day again? weight gain.) Regardless, it is disconcerting to think that the US Military actually recommends this “diet” to it’s people, when I heard about this diet from the two girls, my stomach rolled, I almost barfed. Hot dogs??? Blagggghhh. (people feed those things to their KIDS!!??)

I’ve never understood why those people who are looking to lose weight are so attracted to crash-dieting or fad diets? Does it seem easy? Obtainable? not-a-lot-of-work-for-a-lot-of-benefit? If you’ve gotten as far as realizing that you are overweight/unhealthy and you’re ready/willing to do something about it, why not take the next step at making changes that will be long-term? For example, CHANGE YOUR EATING HABITS, EXERCISE. Eat clean foods instead of garbage (examples of garbage: hot dogs, vanilla ice cream.) This isn’t rocket science, people. You don’t need scientific studies to maintain a healthy body, just clean foods & exercise.

Here is my idea of a 3-day Clean Eating Regimen (not a diet, a life-long regimen):

DAY 1:
Breakfast: 2 cups of green juice (kale, apple, carrot, cucumber, celery), 1 banana, 1 handful of nuts
Lunch: mixed veggies & hummus, applesauce
Dinner: marinated broccoli and mushrooms, corn and tomato salad

DAY 2:
Breakfast: 1 fruit smoothie (1 orange, 1 cup frozen mixed berries, 1 banana, 1 cup unsweetened pomegranate juice), a sliced avocado
Lunch: a large green arugula salad with oil & vinegar dressing – include a variety of veggies on your salad
Dinner: vegetable stir-fry, a small bowl of seasoned quinoa

DAY 3:
Breakfast: 1 fruit smoothie (1 green apple, 1 cup carrot juice, 2 tbsp fresh grated ginger, 1 tbsp agave nectar), warm quinoa with berries and nut milk
Lunch: a cup of edamame, a green potato salad
Dinner: lentils with kale & butternut squash

Anyway, it is disheartening to know that people are so desperate to change their image that they will follow any lousy diet they’re told about. There is no person in their right mind who could think that hot dogs, saltine crackers, and vanilla ice cream are wholesome enough for the body to offer long-term healthier results, yet they eat it because they’ve been told that it will melt their fat right off of their bodies……

What is your reaction to this Military Diet?

Tagged with → 3-day • diet • hot dog • junk • junk food • meal • Military Diet • recipe • recipes • Standard American Diet