A balanced figure and a slim body are what many people dream of. In addition to exercise, diet is also a decisive factor in weight. One of the foods of interest today is cereals for weight loss. The following article will share with you about the cereal diet and its effectiveness in weight loss, so don’t miss it.
1 What is a cereal diet?
Cereal diet
The cereal diet is usually applied to dieters, which means using cereals to replace breakfast and lunch. As for dinner, you can eat foods that are low in calories and contain lean meat.
Because weight-loss cereals usually contain few calories, are rich in fiber, easy to eat, and do not take up time, they are chosen by many people. However, if you don’t know how to eat it, it can cause fatigue, malnutrition, mood swings, etc.
2 The benefits of a cereal diet for health
Some of the benefits of a cereal diet for health, according to information on Vinmec.com, include:
- Reduced risk of heart disease: Since cereals contain many nutrients and vitamins, according to a study, eating three servings (28 grams each) per day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 22%.
- Reduced risk of stroke: Cereals contain compounds such as vitamin K, fiber, and antioxidants, which also help reduce the risk of stroke. Therefore, eating cereals can reduce the risk of stroke by up to 14%.
The benefits of cereals
- Reduced risk of obesity, aids in weight loss: Fiber-rich foods tend to keep you fuller for longer and prevent overeating calories. Moreover, since cereals are already nutrient-dense and low in calories, they support effective weight loss.
- Improves digestive system: The fiber in cereals helps improve healthy digestion, prevents constipation, and provides probiotics for the gut.
- Reduced risk of cancer: The fiber in cereals acts as a prebiotic, reducing the risk of cancer. Other components in cereals such as phytic acid, phenolic acid, and saponin slow the development of cancer.
3 How to implement a cereal diet
Diet rules
The cereal diet is implemented by replacing breakfast and lunch with a serving of cereal and 120-180ml of skimmed or low-fat milk. The cereal should be low in sugar or unsweetened whole grain.
For dinner, experts recommend adding fruits, vegetables, and cereals (in whole grain form) that are low in calories, with a maximum of 450 calories.
Eat cereals between 7 and 8 am
Foods to eat
To make the cereal diet more effective, you can combine it with the following foods:
- Fruits: apples, bananas, oranges, pears, and grapes…
- Vegetables: Spinach, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, and broccoli…
- Milk: skimmed, low-fat, or low-sugar.
- Chicken breast, fish, egg whites, and lean beef.
Foods to avoid
Some foods that may reduce the effectiveness of the cereal diet include:
- Foods high in fat such as butter, cheese, and cream are common.
- Processed and fried foods.
- Ice cream, fresh cream, regular yogurt, sweetened beverages, and fruit juices…
4 Notes on implementing a cereal diet
Some notes on eating cereals
Limit sugar intake to less than 5%. Choose unsweetened or low-sugar cereals.
For those who eat cereals to lose weight, it is necessary to adhere to a reasonable diet and exercise regimen.
5 Suggested cereal diet menus
Some cereal diet menus
Day 1
- Breakfast: 40-50 grams of whole grain cereal + 120-180ml of skim milk.
- Snack 1: 1 box of unsweetened milk (180ml) + 1 apple.
- Lunch: 40-50 grams of whole grain cereal + 120-180ml of skim milk.
- Snack 2: 1 box of low-fat yogurt + 75 grams of blueberries.
- Dinner: 50 grams of brown rice (1/2 cup of rice) + 90 grams of mushrooms (1/2 cup) + 80 grams of steamed bean sprouts (1/2 cup).
Day 2
- Breakfast: 40-50 grams of whole grain cereal + 180ml of unsweetened milk.
- Snack 1: 1 egg white + 1/2 cup of low-sugar yogurt.
- Lunch: 40-50 grams of whole grain cereal + 180ml of unsweetened milk.
- Snack 2: 20 grams of low-fat cheese + 50 grams of strawberries.
- Dinner: 100 grams of steamed chicken breast + 2 slices of whole wheat bread.
Eating cereals to lose weight is a natural and healthy way to maintain your figure, but it should not be used arbitrarily, as it may not bring the desired weight loss results. Hopefully, through this article, you will have more useful information about using cereals.
Source: Vinmec.com