You can lose 10lb a week with Khloe Kardashian’s Military Diet… but is it safe?
The idea is to restrict yourself to 1,000 calories-a-day, three days a week - and kick start your metabolism
IF your New Year's resolution is to lose weight, you may want to try the Military Diet - which promises to help you shed up to 10lb a week.
The weight loss plan was reportedly created by leading US army dietitians, with the aim of helping soldiers get fit quickly.
But it has only recently received global fame, with celebs and top trainers now tucking into the meal plans - and thousands of people following Instagram pages dedicated to the diet.
The idea is to stick to eating just 1,000 calories three days a week - considerably less than the 2,500 cals recommended for men and 2,000 cals for women.
Khloe Kardashian is said to have tried the diet, according to - while the meal plans are completely free and available online.
Day 1 diet
- Breakfast:
- 1 slice of toast
- 1 cup of tea/coffee
- 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
- 1/2 a grapefruit
- Lunch:
- 1/2 a cup of tuna
- 1 slice of toast
- 1 cup of tea/coffee
- Dinner:
- 3 ounces of meat
- 1 cup of green beans
- 1/2 a banana
- 1 small apple
- 1 cup of vanilla ice cream
It's a one-size-fits-all plan, with the most muscular men and athletic women being urged to eat the same amount as more sedentary people.
Those behind the craze say it's not about depriving yourself. The meal plans are designed to help you burn fat, kick start your metabolism and ultimately lose weight.
It can be used for a quick fix or as a long term plan, with the creators reckoning you can lose more than 2st (30lb) in your first month.
Sounds like a brilliant idea for those looking to lose weight this January - but is it safe?
Day 2 diet
- Breakfast:
- 1 slice of toast
- 1 egg
- 1/2 a banana
- Lunch:
- 1 egg
- 5 saltine crackers
- 1 cup of cottage cheese
- Dinner:
- 1/2 a cup of carrots
- 1 cup of broccoli
- 2 hot dogs
- 1/2 a banana
- 1/2 a cup of ice cream
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Kimberly Gomer, a director of nutrition at Pritikin Longevity Center, told : "What I found interesting is that this diet allows for almost 1,500 calories, which is a pretty normal weight management diet.
"It’s not a crazy 800-calorie crash diet."
However, she was sceptical of the creator's claims that they have created fantastic 'fat-burning' food combinations.
Kimberley added: "There's no science behind it."
Kimberley also feels that the diet's emphasis on small amounts of high-fat food, for example a scoop of ice cream late at night, would actually leave people feeling hungry.
She added: "It makes me frustrated because I could give people six times the amount of food (for the same amount of calories)."
Day 3 diet
- Breakfast:
- 1 slice (1 ounce) of cheddar cheese
- 5 saltine crackers
- 1 apple
- Lunch:
- 1 egg
- 1 slice of toast
- Dinner:
- 1 cup of tuna
- 1 cup of ice cream
- 1/2 a banana
Kimberley advises filling up on low-density, high-fibre and high-water content foods such as fruits and vegetables.
Whole grains are also important because they reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, and help keep your weight low.
One stylist who really rated the diet spoke to New Idea.
She said: "Once upon a time it was all about the Atkins or the 5:2 - now everyone uses the Military Diet when they need to drop kilos fast.
"My clients are losing up to a dress size a week - it's magic and won't break the bank."
However, nutritionist Zoe Bingley-Pullin told : “When we restrict food, our body goes into panic mode believing a famine is occurring and holds onto stores.
“We may lose some weight initially (including water) but once we begin eating again, our lowered metabolic rate just can’t cope and we land ourselves in a position of weight loss resistance, not where anybody wants to be.”
Of the ice cream 'treat', she added: "I assume many people will fall off the bandwagon here.
"After a day of restriction and ravenous appetites, once that ice cream hits your lips, how many people will stop at one cup?”