Monday January 13 2014 The 7- day diet for men How to lose your paunch and 5lb in a week Tomorrow The ultimate detox GETTY IMAGES Vicki Edgson nutritionist First the bad news. That roll of fat above your waistband, the one that has been increasing over the past couple of weeks, is not just unsightly, it’s dangerous. Research suggests that middle-aged men who carry excess weight around their middle are at a higher risk of an unexpected heart attack and type 2 diabetes. Are you at risk? In my experience, if your waist measurement is more than four inches larger than your hip measurement you need to make some changes — fast. Lifestyle doesn’t help. Sitting at a desk for hours; lunchtime “meal deals” in every supermarket and fast-food chain that are packed with sugars and salt; drinking too much alcohol; and, of course, being stressed. Cortisol is the hormone that is released in response to stress. Elevated levels of the hormone affects the production of insulin in the body, and insufficient insulin leads to the laying down of fat around the waistline. Now for the good news. Over the next seven days — if you follow this plan — you will lose 5-7lb, and from two-to-four inches from around your stomach. Your energy levels will soar and your concentration and focus will improve because you will have cut out the alcohol, sugars and additive-packed breads, snacks and other quick-fix foods that too often block the absorption of nutrient-dense food. Instead you will have replaced them with foods that deliver exactly what your brain requires for fuel. I have devised this programme because it has worked with so many of my male clients. Men store and lay down fat in a different way to women — around the centre of their bodies, as opposed to most women, who put fat on around their hips and upper thighs. They respond best to a dietary approach with more animal protein, as they use that to build muscle while they are burning fat. It’s also important to change the ratio of HDL/LDL cholesterol in your body through your diet. HDL cholesterol is the beneficial cholesterol, the one that the body uses for nerve transmission, cognitive and heart function (it’s also anti-inflammatory and protects your heart). It’s found in fish, nuts and seeds and their oils. LDL cholesterol, the harmful cholesterol, is found in sausages, bacon, other fat meats, and also forms in your body from fried and processed foods, and excess alcohol. I always tell my male clients to eat Clean, Green and Lean to increase their HDL and help lower their LDL. This programme is straightforward — cutting out processed carbohydrates, including bread, refined cereals, white rice and pasta, while increasing your primary proteins (animal and also vegetable-based for vegetarians) and vegetables, is the basis. If it flies, swims or runs, you can eat it; but if it needs to be “grown and ground” to produce the end product, you can’t. Give your body what it needs and it will respond positively. You need good-quality protein that helps to stabilise your blood-sugar levels, providing you with steady physical and mental energy throughout the day. With this programme you have the perfect plan to kick-start your weight loss. 7-Day Diet 3 2 7-Day Diet 3 Eat every four hours Ensure you don’t get hungry by eating on a regular basis; for example, not less than every 3-4 hours. Choose slow-release snacks such as a palmful of mixed nuts, seed bars or small pots of pulses, frequently seen in supermarket salad bars. These foods all contain plenty of minerals such as magnesium that help to replenish those minerals that are used up quickly in the body when it is stressed. 4 Eat “natural” dairy Dairy produce is allowed, but only in its natural form and not sweetened (for example, you can have a natural yoghurt but not a strawberry-flavoured one); and only small amounts of cheese (it must be whole cheese and not the processed, sliced varieties in packs). No ice cream because of the amount of sugar that it contains. 5 Eat fish — but shellfish only twice a week All types of fish are allowed, daily if you enjoy it, but only two portions of shellfish per week (it’s higher in the damaging LDL cholesterol). 6 Choose vegetables that grow above ground, not under the ground Eating vegetables that grow above the ground have a lower GI (glucose-releasing quotient) than those growing underground, so they release their energy over a longer period, with no weight gain. For this reason, I have not included carrots, turnips, swede, parsnips and beetroot in this programme. Think lean and green for the majority of your vegetables (asparagus, artichokes, spinach, chard, kale, broccoli, beans of any type, courgettes, celery, and all salad leaves). Eat them raw or cooked. 7 Eat sprouts and seeds All sprouted beans and seeds may be added to soups, salads, etc. Sprouted mung beans, lentils and chickpeas are rich in vegetarian proteins, which is important for those not eating animal proteins. Quinoa is actually a seed and not a grain, so all grab-and-go salads and dishes that include this grain are allowed. 8 Watch your salad Freshly prepared supermarket salads are allowed but should be accompanied by a source of protein that is three times their weight. While they are low calorie, a bag of mixed-salad leaves generate little energy, leaving you hungry and more likely to crave carbs. Fill up on red or white meats, fish or poultry; nuts and seeds, quinoa, and cheeses for vegetarians and vegans. 9 Eat apples, not bananas Fruits are limited because of the way they deliver their sugars. Choose crunchy apples and pears, which are rich in pectin, slowing down the release of sugars from the flesh of the fruit, and won’t send your blood-sugar levels soaring. Mixed berries (fresh or frozen) are also good. Bananas have a high glycemic index (GI), making them one of the forbidden foods on a weight-loss programme despite their rich source of potassium, which helps to lower blood pressure. We are concentrating on foods that help to shed pounds. 10 Avoid Asian takeaways Asian takeaways, including Indian, Thai and Vietnamese, contain high levels of added sugars, additives and thickeners. White rice has a very high GI, which will prevent you from dropping that weight and may even cause weight gain. 11 Drink water and vegetable (not fruit) juice You should drink two litres of water per day minimum, preferably still. It’s better to drink water between meals, especially throughout the afternoon when fatigue is more likely to hit when you are dehydrated. People often mistake thirst for hunger. You may add natural energy powders, such as Revive Active or Myprotein multivitamin powder, to boost your levels of nutrients through your day. No carton juices. They are high in sugars and sweeteners. Freshly juiced vegetables only are a great way to obtain nutrient density and hydration at the same time. Do you think a breakfast of black coffee and nothing else can help you lose weight? You should be aware that coffee drunk first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, as it often is, interferes with your blood-sugar levels and the production of insulin, raising the likelihood of fat storage, rather than fat-burning, if you are spending the rest of the day sitting at a desk. Green tea, white tea and yerba maté are the best herbal teas for men as they have some caffeine, but not as much as coffee and black tea. Drinking them with your meals can help to stimulate your metabolism. Indeed, green tea is often referred to as the “slimmer’s tea”. No sugars or sweeteners are allowed and fruit teas are not recommended as they can make you crave sugar. 12 13 14 Don’t choose low-fat Do NOT choose low-fat versions of any foods — they often contain higher levels of sugar, sweeteners and/or salt. Be careful how you cook Cooking methods can include stir-fried, grilled, baked, poached, steamed and pan fried, but not deep fried. No alcohol For the duration of this seven-day programme you need to cut out all alcohol. This will give your digestion, including your liver, a true break. More than 80 per cent of your immune system resides in the gastro-intestinal tract (from your mouth to the intestines), and nothing compromises immunity as much as alcohol; to say nothing of the sugar and calories that alcohol contains. Breakfast Say yes to protein All animal protein is allowed because it contains the eight essential amino acids required for the rebuilding and repair of every cell in the body. The amino acids are the breakdown products of protein, and they are known as essential as they have to be derived from our diet, not from being manufactured in the body. Eggs, too, are allowed, including hen, duck, caviar and other roe. Animal organs are allowed, as they are a rich source of B vitamins and packed with Vitamin D. Heart and liver are rich in CoQ10, which is good for energy production in every cell in the body. If you don’t love liver, try kidneys and heart. They can all be casseroled and do taste delicious. However, the best sources come from grass-fed animals, so do your sourcing wisely. Green vegetables are so beneficial because they are rich in magnesium, which helps to absorb calcium into bone and not into the arteries. (It is important to ensure that calcium in the diet does not end up in the arteries, contributing to arterial “plaque”, which is a major cause of high blood pressure.) 15 All sugar is out The recommended intake of “added sugars” (such as honey, fruit juice, jam, soft drinks and those in processed food, as well as the sugar you add to food) is 10 per cent of your total daily calorie intake. For this programme, it’s all out. Sugar is sugar (as glucose, fructose, sucrose or any other ’ose), whether it’s in the form of honey, agave, brown rice malt syrup or maple syrup, jams, marmalade, carton juices (especially where all the fibre has been extracted, and you are left with a clear juice), and all will cause your blood-sugar levels to rocket. Choose instead any of the following as natural sweeteners 6 Cinnamon powder (also antihistamine, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory) 6 Grated nutmeg (spicy as well as sweet) 6 Star anise (one of the most potent antibacterials) 6 Vanilla pods (can be added to your drinking water for those that are used to fizzy drinks throughout the day) 6 Apple pectin powder (includes all the benefits found in apples, such as reducing cholesterol, cleansing the digestive tract and reducing constipation) Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 W 3 small or 2 large eggs, scrambled, with 2 handfuls of spinach mixed in while cooking — add ground pepper and rock salt W 115g (4oz) smoked salmon slices with watercress and juice of one lime W Large bowl of quinoa porridge with cinnamon and berries W Mug green tea or ou espresso coffee (if you currently drink more than 3 cups per day) W Mug yerba maté tea W4 grilled kipper or heated mackerel fillets (2), with lemon juice. Handful rocket leaves for side salad or green juice (see recipe page 4) W 2 large baked apples (baked previous night — make 4, so you have some for later in the week) with star anise, cinnamon and nutmeg, berries and 4 tbsp Greek-style plain yoghurt W 2 poached eggs served over 2 large handfuls wilted spinach, with ground nutmeg and allspice W Grilled Portobello mushroom (can be roasted the night before) with garlic and chives, filled with chopped tomato and thyme and a poached egg on top (optional). W Mug green tea W 1 apple W Mug green tea or small espresso W Butternut squash soup (450-500g ready-prepared supermarket fresh variety or equivalent of home-made), with 2tsp seeds (look out for brands such as The Food Doctor or Crunchy Seeds) — take in Thermos to work W 115g sliced beef, with large portion of mixed vegetables or superfood salad with hoummos W Large green apple W Mug yerba maté or green tea W Large sashimi box (Pret or other) or superfood salad with hoummos Dinner 1 2 Say no to bread And to sandwiches, cereal, pizza and pasta. Take these foods out of your daily diet and see how much more energy you have without them. Lunch These are the guidelines that you must follow if you want to lose the paunch for good. They will help with the seven-day eating plan and the maintenance plan that follows it The seven-day diet pl plan Afternoon Lose your paunch the rules W Large apple W Grilled chicken breast east (large), sliced over stir-fried -fried mixed vegetables and bean sprouts (eaten raw or cooked) — dressed with olive oil and lemon juice juic or mixed bean salad pot from fr any supermarket W Tomato, onion and black-olive salad — any supermarket version of this is fine W Large green apple W 1 pear W 1 apple W 1 apple W Mug green tea W 1 apple W Mug white tea W 115g sliced beef or 1 duck breast with large mixed-bean salad pot (omit the meat and add feta cheese and sprouted beans and seeds if vegetarian), or superfood salad box with hoummos W Plain beef burger or veggie burger without bun, wrapped in iceberg lettuce, sandwiched with sliced tomato and pickle. Add red or green pesto for flavour, with mixed green salad W Large minestrone soup W Handful mixed nuts W Bottle spring water to hydrate throughout the afternoon W 2 litres spring water W 3 grilled lamb chops (fat removed)— rubbed with garlic and spread with a handful of parsley, oregano, rosemary and thyme finely chopped and combined with a tablespoon of olive oil and seasoned to taste — served with French beans, peas and mangetout (2 large handfuls). Vegetarians could use mixed bell peppers, red cabbage and leeks, with caraway seeds and serve with lentils. W Mixed vegetable stir-fry with garlic and ginger, with optional giant prawns (or 200g butter beans for vegetarians) W Mug green tea W Small handful mixed nuts — no dried fruit W Small pack of savour oury popcorn W Large bottle spring water to hydrate throughout the afternoon or 2 mugs green/white tea W Large bottle spring water w to hydrate throughout oughout the afternoon W Grilled 225g (8oz) steak or soy-marinated tofu, stir-fried with ginger and garlic with large portion of stir-fried mixed green vegetables (asparagus spears, broccoli and beans) W 115g sliced ham hock or gammon with mixed savoy sa cabbage, leek and garlic (2 large handfuls in total) steamed or stir-fried in a little olive oil and garlic with grated nutmeg. Vegetarians could replace the ham with tofu W Pot of edamame beans (Japanese or supermarket takeaway) W High-protein snack bar, such as Bounce Energy Balls, available from Waitrose and Holland & Barrett W Large bottle spring water to hydrate through the afternoon W 170g pan-fried squid with red onion, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper and cumin (can be served as a vegetarian option by using black beans instead of squid) W One roast poussin with savoy cabbage, leek and garlic or mixed-vegetable stir-fry, with garlic, ginger and lentils W Small (palm-sized) packet of almonds W Large bottle spring water to hydrate throughout the afternoon W Grilled sea bass with lemon, olives and capers, stir-fried kale and courgettes or baked pumpkin stuffed with vegetables of your choice and topped with seeds W Large apple W Mug white tea Portobello mushroom (day 7) W Mug green tea Pan-fried squid (day 3) Grilled steak (day 1) Grilled lamb chops (day 6) W Mug white tea 4 7-Day Diet How to keep the paunch off the maintenance rules Recipes For the complete Improve your life series go to thetimes.co.uk/ improveyourlife If you’ve successfully completed the week — congratulations! It’s time to take stock of what has improved. Think about: Breakfast green juice Ingredients Serves 1 (all juices should be drunk as soon as juiced for optimal nutrient values) 2 apples Large handful kale or chard ½ cucumber 1 handful of watercress or spinach 1 tsp coconut butter 6-8 almonds Almond milk Method Juice the first four ingredients and then place juice in blender with coconut butter and almonds to add protein (preferably soaked, or blanched). Blend until smooth. (Adapted from Honestly Healthy — Eat with your Body in Mind) Quinoa porridge with cinnamon and berries Ingredients Serves 2 1 cup white or red quinoa 1½ cups water 1 cup almond or rice milk 1 tsp cinnamon 1 cup fresh or frozen berries, defrosted overnight Method Combine water and quinoa, then add cinnamon to pot. Cover with lid and bring to a simmer. Cook for 12-15 min until almost all water is absorbed, and “tails” of quinoa are beginning to sprout. Add almond or rice milk, stir, cover pot, then leave to stand for 5-6 min, until porridge is ready. Serve in bowls and top with berries. Vicki Edgson is a nutritionist and co-author of Honestly Healthy (£20). vickiedgson.com 6How much weight have you lost? 6How many inches have you lost from your waistline? 6How good do you feel? 6Has your sleep improved in either quality or length of sleeping hours? 6How much more energy do you have? 6How bright are your eyes? 6How clear is your skin? 6How much cleaner is your tongue? All of these questions relate to a cleaner, more efficient digestive system, which means that your metabolism has woken up and you should carry on losing weight, provided you don’t just slip back into old habits. The following are my tips to avoid doing so: Sugar If you managed to go without adding sugar to your porridge, regular tea and coffee (which you won’t have been drinking anyway) for seven days, you have cracked the sugar habit. There is no need to go back. If you have been a chocoholic, in the past, make a change now. Buy only dark chocolate, which doesn’t require the milk solids that are so high in sugars to preserve them. Valrhona and Cluizel from South America will tickle the palate and yet are rich enough for a few small squares to be enough. Social functions and going out for meals can be challenging. As far as puddings are concerned, if you must have one, share it. Alcohol If you feel you have really missed alcohol, aim to have at least four days a week when you don’t drink (probably from Sunday to Thursday, when you are working and need that clear head). When you drink, aim to do so when you are eating a meal. Drinking instead of eating will only pile on the pounds again — and look at what you have managed to lose in just one week. Drinking red wine is preferable to white as it is packed with antioxidants. If you choose to drink spirits, whisky or clean vodka on the rocks are the best options — it is the mixers that contain the sugars and sweeteners. Caffeine For those who enjoy their daily coffee first thing in the morning, put it to good use — remember that one shot of espresso coffee followed by morning exercise (and this can include your morning walk to work) helps to raise the metabolic rate for six hours or more, helping you to burn more stored fat. If you must have a coffee in the middle of the day, have it after your lunch, when you already have food in your system and it won’t upset your bloodsugar levels. Choose espresso. Don’t fill up on milky lattes — you have done without for the week and look how much it has contributed to your leaner waist. Dairy produce For those cheese lovers who have really missed cheese, make a decision to eat it only once a week, and choose feta, hard goat’s cheese or buffalo mozzarella (which are lower in saturated fat than Edam or Cheddar). Grains You can eat grains, but not more than once a day. So bread at breakfast with your eggs or rice at lunch or dinner. When in a restaurant, ask for olives and nuts, rather than the traditional basket of bread. Working lunches Avoid sandwiches, meal deals from all supermarkets, fast-track burgers and chicken meals with chips. Instead, opt for wraps rather than sandwiches (preferably corn tortilla wraps rather than wheat-based ones), quinoabased high-protein salads from supermarkets, lean protein meals such as chicken, egg, duck, beef and fish, combined with grilled vegetables, and bean and pulse-based soups with vegetables. The ultimate goal Now that you have achieved this much, why not continue for another week, or two or three? In one month, your bodywill be almost unrecognisable. It is far easier to continue what you have started than to go back to old habits and have to start all over again.
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