There are hundreds of different diets for weight control and weight loss.Fasting diets based on fruits, berries and vegetables are very popular.The watermelon diet is seasonal.The best time for that is August and the first half of September.It is at this time that juicy, sweet and delicious berries with a green striped crust and juicy red pulp ripen.A diet of only watermelon helps not only to lose weight, but also to improve the health of the body.But let's also see what are the disadvantages and contraindications of this method of losing extra pounds.After all, our goal is not to harm the body, but only to bring benefits.
Melon composition
Although watermelon consists mostly of water, it still contains a number of valuable substances for the body.
Berries contain:
- 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 from cholesterol deposits, improves heart function.
- Fiber – improves the function of the gastrointestinal tract, cleanses toxins, accelerates metabolism, and promotes weight loss.
- Fructose – stimulates brain function, relieves fatigue, saturates the body with energy.
- Folic acid is necessary for the absorption of proteins, participates in the formation of hemoglobin, controls 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, blood.
Berries have been cultivated for a very long time, so the watermelon diet has been around for decades.It is very popular in hot countries.
Benefits
A diet based on juicy watermelon will help not only lose extra weight, but also cleanse your body and improve its health, as the berry has several beneficial properties.
What are the effects of the watermelon diet?
- Removes toxins and waste from the body.
- Cleanse the kidneys and liver.
- Lowering cholesterol levels, reducing cholesterol plaques in blood vessels.
- Normalize bowel function.
- Stimulates metabolism.
- Burns fat deposits.
- Reduces the risk of cancer and other diseases.
- Increase the level of immunity.
- Improve overall well-being.
Watermelon has a strong diuretic effect.This is the main effect of the diet.Already in the first 2-3 days, it removes all excess fluid from the body.Swelling disappears, a feeling of lightness appears in the body, and the condition improves.
Berries are very beneficial for the kidneys, liver, and gall bladder.The diet is recommended for diseases such as arthritis, gout, hepatitis, heart disease, hypertension, anemia, etc.Watermelon diet is very effective for dermatitis and psoriasis.This product is also recommended for men and women with problems in the genitourinary system.It is believed that berries help you lose significant weight in just a few days.It is not surprising, because, despite the sweetness of watermelon, it has few calories - only 25 kcal per 100 g.At the same time, it perfectly eliminates hunger and thirst.The taste is very pleasant, so the diet does not cause hostility.
Is there any harm?
There is a mono-diet, which includes only one berry, and a combination, when in addition to watermelon, the diet also includes other products.But monorace is considered very strict and not suitable for everyone.
Despite its many beneficial effects, the watermelon mono-diet is prohibited for inflammation and some other diseases of the kidneys and urinary system (cystitis, urethritis) during the exacerbation period.Diuretic products should be used with extreme caution for kidney stones.You cannot go on such a strict diet if you have gastrointestinal diseases and diabetes.
It should be considered that with the watermelon diet, weight loss can occur quickly.Not all bodies can adapt immediately, so deterioration in overall health and exacerbation of any disease is possible.People who are slightly overweight should be careful.
Even if a person feels healthy and does not have chronic diseases, it is advisable to consult a doctor before starting a diet.Nutritionists recommend eating watermelon for weight loss by listening carefully to your feelings.If discomfort is present and your health worsens, you should immediately stop the diet.
The benefits and harms of the watermelon diet largely depend on the quality of the berries.
How to choose a good watermelon?
The natural time for watermelon to ripen is late summer, early fall.Nowadays, the "green strip" can be found on store shelves earlier.But such berries are almost always grown artificially with the addition of large amounts of saltpeter.They have fewer benefits and, moreover, you can be poisoned than a watermelon stuffed with chemicals.
So, let's see how to choose the right quality product:
- A ripe watermelon has a colored, shiny and smooth skin.
- There should be no obvious damage, marks or cracks on the crust.Large light spots (usually yellow) are not counted.This is the place where the watermelon lies, in contact with the ground.The sun doesn't hit it, so it stays bright.
- You should choose berries that are not too large.The optimal weight is 3-4 kg.
- When tapped, the berries will make a ringing sound.
- Ripe watermelons have shrunken, dark tails.
It is not recommended to buy watermelons in trays near the road.Lying along the highway for a long time, they absorb exhaust gases, dust and other pollutants.
How many days can you go on a watermelon diet?
Many who want to try this weight loss method for the first time are interested in how many days they can go on a watermelon diet without negative consequences.
The duration of the diet depends on a number of factors: initial weight, health status, and chosen nutritional options.A strict watermelon mono diet should not exceed 5 days.If someone is trying this type of diet for the first time, then the optimal duration is 3 days.With a diet that includes other foods, you can extend the diet to 10-12 days.
Do not forget that a watermelon cannot fill the entire daily requirement of nutrients required by the body.If you stick to such a diet for too long, you can get a vitamin deficiency and seriously harm your health.It is also necessary to make the correct entry and exit from a strict watermelon diet.
How to properly prepare the watermelon diet and get out of it?
In any case, you should not make a sudden transition from a "feast" to a hunger strike.So, the body, and especially the stomach, will only be harmed.
3 days before starting the diet, you need to switch to soft and natural food as possible.You should eat porridge, vegetables, steamed or baked dishes, and fermented milk products.Smoked meat, 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.
You also need to increase your fluid intake so that the body gradually gets used to the larger amount.It is advisable to drink water, green tea, you can include rosehip infusion and herbal tea.Coffee and strong tea are allowed in minimal quantities.
After the watermelon mono-diet is over, the same gentle way out is needed.You need to eat low-calorie food for another week.The diet should be dominated by fruits, vegetables, and greens.
Various options for the watermelon diet
There are various options for the watermelon diet, everyone can choose the most suitable for themselves.
Strict diet (mono)
A strict watermelon diet guarantees minus 10 kg per week.But it is very difficult to stay on it.It is designed for 5 days, but another 2-3 days after leaving it, the body experiences intense fat burning and cleansing.You can start such a diet only after examination and consultation with a doctor.
For the first two days, only watermelon is eaten.To maintain hydro balance, you need to drink extra water, green tea or herbs.
To correctly calculate the amount of watermelon per day, it is necessary to calculate the ratio of the glycemic index of the product to body weight.The GI of watermelon is 70-80 units.For every 10 kg of weight, it is quite acceptable to eat 1 kilogram of juicy pulp.For example, if your weight is 70 kg, then you can consume up to 7 kg of watermelon per day, but not more.
Note!You can repeat the watermelon mono-diet, designed for 3 days, 2-3 times a month.
This portion should be divided into 5-7 doses.You need to eat berries every 2-3 hours.In the period between meals, you should drink water or tea, but not too much, so as not to burden the kidneys.
If hunger is unbearable, you can eat some crackers, crisp bread, or eat a meal of pulp with black bread.
If you feel healthy, you can extend the diet for a week, the results will be more effective.But it is important not to overdo it here.
Watermelon cleansing diet
This type of diet also helps you lose weight quickly and at the same time cleans your intestines well.Melon contains more fiber and is an excellent remedy against parasites.
Take the same amount of watermelon and watermelon, you need to eat them alternately.Melon is more caloric and nutritious, it satisfies hunger better.It is advisable to start having breakfast with it.Melon eaten on an empty stomach has an antiparasitic effect.
If hunger is too much to bear, do not torture yourself.Add some protein to your diet.You can eat white meat, cottage cheese, lentils, and low-fat cheese.
Fasting day on watermelon and fermented milk products
This type of diet is designed for 7-10 days.In addition to watermelon, the diet includes: kefir, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, and cheese curds.
Watermelon is eaten in the first half of the day (before 14:00), in the second half snacks are made from fermented milk products.Watermelon and cottage cheese should not be eaten together.It should be at least 2 hours between meals.It is acceptable to eat berries with rye, bran or whole grain bread in small quantities.The watermelon-kefir (chest) diet will help you lose 3 to 5 kg in a week.The only drawback 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 excess weight (up to 5 kg).
A low-calorie menu is provided for each day.There are 6 meals per day, 3 of which contain additional products and 3 are just berries.
Sample menu for today:
- Breakfast – buckwheat porridge and 2 pieces of watermelon.
- Snack – 2-3 pieces of watermelon.
- Lunch – grilled chicken, 100 g of vegetable salad.
- Snack – 2-3 pieces of berries.
- Dinner – 150 g of cottage cheese, a pair of crusty bread.
- The last snack is 2 pieces of watermelon.
For breakfast, you can use any porridge: oatmeal, millet, wheat, rice, cooked in water.For lunch, it is advisable to combine protein and fiber.It can be any lean meat with vegetables, beans, lentils, asparagus, vegetable soup.
For dinner it is better to eat only protein.
A satisfying diet of watermelon protein
This method of losing weight is suitable for those who cannot resist hunger.You can maintain this nutrition program for up to 10 days.2-3 times a day must be rich in protein.For breakfast you can eat watermelon with cheese or low-fat eggs, for lunch and dinner, diet meat (up to 200 g at a time).Snacks consist only of pieces of berries.
Other types of watermelon diet
There is also a watermelon-apple, watermelon-cucumber, watermelon-banana diet.All of them should be no more than 3-5 days old.These products can be consumed either together or separately at intervals.In a diet with bananas, you are allowed to eat no more than 1 piece per day.Don't forget bananas are high in calories and very nutritious.The results of such a diet are more or less the same.
Watermelon diet - can you keep it during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, a 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 excess weight.In the last trimester, this can have a very negative effect on a woman's health and well-being.In such cases, a few days of fasting under the supervision of a doctor can be useful and even necessary.But you can't go on a restricted diet alone during pregnancy.
Note!Pregnant women often experience swelling, especially in the last months.They benefit from diuretic products, but in moderation.
The pros and cons of the watermelon diet
Any diet has advantages and disadvantages.There is no shortage of berries and melons.
Advantages:
- Delicious.
- Available.
- Produces effective body cleansing.
- Makes you healthier.
- Remove excess fluid.
- Quick decision.
Disadvantages:
- Suitable only during certain periods of the year.
- Hungry (if we are talking about a mono-diet).
- Can be stored for a short time.
- In the long term, it can wash away beneficial substances from the body and put a serious burden on the kidneys.
Contraindications
People with the following diseases and health problems should not follow the watermelon diet:
- Kidney failure.
- Pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis in the acute stage.
- Stomach ulcer, gastric.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Stones in the kidney or gallbladder.
- Pancreatitis.
- Infectious diseases.
Watermelon diet has contraindications for pregnant and lactating women, as well as those suffering from vitamin deficiency.
Opinions of nutritionists - myths and reality
Let's find out what the experts have to say about the berry diet for weight loss.
- The watermelon diet is completely safe.This is a wrong opinion;for some it is highly contraindicated.And if done incorrectly, it can cause harm.
- Watermelon contains enough nutrients.Berries do not contain even half of the elements that the body needs every day.
- Watermelon is good for the kidneys.Only if they are healthy and can process large amounts of liquid easily.
- You can lose up to 20 kg quickly in a week using berries.It all depends on the speed of a person's metabolism.But such drastic weight loss is highly discouraged.Optimal weight loss is up to 10 kg per month.
The best and safest option for a mono-diet fasting on watermelon is 1 day a week.But on all other days the diet should also follow the diet.In just one day, berries will perfectly clean the intestines and remove excess fluid.Is it possible to lose weight if you eat this way only 1 day a week?Yes, it takes from 1 to 3 kg a day.But keep in mind that most of it is liquid.To prevent it from returning, you need to eat less salt, move more, and follow a proper diet always.