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 this is August and the first half of September.At this time, juicy, sweet and tasty berries with a green striped crust and red, watery pulp ripen.A diet consisting only of watermelon will not only help you lose weight, but also improve the health of the body.But let's also look at what disadvantages and contraindications this method of losing extra pounds has.Because our goal is not to harm the body, but only to bring benefit.
Watermelon composition
Although watermelon consists mostly of water, it still contains a number of valuable substances for the body.
The berry contains:
- Vitamins – A, C, B, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, PP.They are all necessary for our body; without them, metabolic processes are not possible.
- Pectin – cleanses blood vessels of cholesterol deposits and improves heart function.
- Fiber – improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, cleanses it of toxins, accelerates metabolism and promotes weight loss.
- Fructose – stimulates brain function, relieves fatigue, saturates the body with energy.
- Folic acid is necessary for protein absorption, participates in the formation of hemoglobin, regulates cell division and promotes rejuvenation.
- Minerals (magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, sodium, zinc) – all of these substances are needed by our cells, nervous system, bone tissue, muscles and blood.
The berry has been cultivated for a very long time, so the watermelon diet has been around for decades.It is particularly popular in hot countries.
Benefit
A diet based on juicy watermelon not only helps to lose extra pounds, but also cleanses your body and improves its health, because the berry has a number of beneficial properties.
What effect does the watermelon diet have?
- Removes toxins and waste products from the body.
- Cleanses the kidneys and liver.
- Lowers cholesterol levels and reduces cholesterol plaques in blood vessels.
- Normalizes intestinal function.
- Stimulates metabolism.
- Burns fat deposits.
- Reduces the risk of cancer and other diseases.
- Increases immunity.
- Improves general well-being.
Watermelon has a strong diuretic effect.This is exactly the main effect of the diet.Excess fluid is excreted from the body in the first 2-3 days.Swelling disappears, the body becomes lighter and the condition improves.
The berry is very beneficial for the kidneys, liver and gallbladder.The diet is recommended for diseases such as arthritis, gout, hepatitis, heart disease, hypertension, anemia, etc.The watermelon diet is very effective for dermatitis and psoriasis.The product is also recommended for men and women with problems in the urogenital system.The berry is believed to help lose a significant amount of weight in just a few days.No wonder, because despite the sweetness of watermelon, it has very few calories - only 25 kcal per 100 g.At the same time, it perfectly quenches hunger and thirst.Its taste is very pleasant, so the diet does not cause hostility.
Is there any damage?
There are mono-diets, which contain only one berry, and combined diets, in which the diet includes other products in addition to watermelon.But monoration is considered very strict and is not suitable for everyone.
Despite its numerous positive effects, the watermelon mono-diet is prohibited in periods of exacerbation for inflammatory and some other diseases of the kidneys and urinary system (cystitis, urethritis).If you have kidney stones, diuretic products should be used with great caution.Such a strict diet is not possible if you have gastrointestinal diseases or diabetes.
It should be borne in mind that weight loss can occur very quickly on a watermelon diet.Not every body can adapt immediately, so a deterioration in general health and an exacerbation of any diseases is possible.People who are slightly overweight should be particularly careful.
Even if you feel healthy and have no chronic illnesses, it is advisable to consult a doctor before starting a diet.Nutritionists recommend eating watermelon for weight loss by carefully listening to your feelings.If symptoms occur and your health worsens, you should stop the diet immediately.
The benefits and harms of a watermelon diet largely depend on the quality of the berry.
How do you choose a good watermelon?
The natural ripening time for watermelons is late summer, early fall.Nowadays, “green stripes” can be found on store shelves much earlier.But such berries are almost always grown artificially with the addition of large amounts of saltpeter.They have much less benefit and besides, you can get poisoned from watermelons filled with chemicals.
So let's look at how to choose the right quality product:
- A ripe watermelon has a colorful, shiny and smooth rind.
- The crust should have no obvious damage, stains, or cracks.A large bright (usually yellow) spot doesn't count.This is the spot where the watermelon lay in contact with the ground.The sun doesn't hit it, so it stays bright.
- You should not choose berries that are too large.The optimal weight is 3-4 kg.
- When tapped, the berry should make a ringing sound.
- A ripe watermelon has a shrunken and dark tail.
It is not recommended to buy watermelons in boxes near the street.They lie along highways for a long time and absorb exhaust gases, dust and other pollutants.
How many days can you stay on a watermelon diet?
Many who want to try this method of losing weight for the first time are interested in how many days they can follow a watermelon diet without negative consequences.
The duration of the diet depends on several factors: initial weight, state of health and the diet option chosen.A strict watermelon mono-diet should not exceed 5 days.If a person is trying this type of diet for the first time, the optimal period would be 3 days.With a diet that includes other foods, you can extend the diet to 10-12 days.
Do not forget that one watermelon cannot provide the entire daily requirement of nutrients that the body needs.If you follow such diets for too long, vitamin deficiency can occur 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 for and get out of the watermelon diet?
Under no circumstances should you suddenly go from a “feast” to a hunger strike.This will only cause damage to the body and especially the stomach.
3 days before starting the diet, you must switch to a gentle and, if possible, natural diet.You should eat porridge, vegetables, steamed or oven-cooked dishes, and fermented milk products.Smoked meats, 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 fluid intake so that the body gradually gets used to the larger volume.It is advisable to drink water, green tea, rosehip infusions and herbal teas.Coffee and strong tea are allowed in minimal quantities.
After the watermelon mono-diet is completed, the same gentle exit is required.You should eat low-calorie foods for another week.The diet should be dominated by fruits, vegetables and greens.
Different options for the watermelon diet
There are different options for the watermelon diet, everyone can choose the most suitable one for themselves.
Strict diet (mono)
Such a strict watermelon diet guarantees minus 10 kg per week.But it's very difficult to stick with it.It is designed for 5 days, but another 2-3 days after leaving it, the body undergoes intensive fat burning and cleansing.You can start such a diet only after examination and consultation with a doctor.
In the first two days only watermelon is eaten.To maintain hydrobalance, you need to additionally drink water, green or herbal tea.
In order 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 you weigh 70 kg, you can consume up to 7 kg of watermelon per day, but no 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 periods between meals you should drink water or tea, but not too much so as not to put strain on the kidneys.
If hunger is unbearable, you can eat a few crackers, crispbread or a portion of pulp with brown bread.
If you feel well, you can extend the diet for a week, the result will be even more effective.But it's important not to overdo it here.
Watermelon-melon cleansing diet
This type of diet also helps you lose weight quickly while cleansing your intestines well.Melon contains more fiber and is an excellent remedy against parasites.
Take the same amount of melon and watermelon, you need to eat them one after the other.Melons are more calorie and nutritious and satisfy hunger better.It is advisable to have breakfast with it.Melon eaten on an empty stomach has an antiparasitic effect.
If hunger is too unbearable, don't torture yourself.Add some protein to your diet.You can eat white meat, cottage cheese, lentils and low-fat cheese.
Fasting days with 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.
In the first half of the day (before 2:00 p.m.), watermelon is consumed, and in the second half of the day, snacks are prepared from fermented milk products.Watermelon and cottage cheese cannot be eaten together.It is necessary that at least 2 hours pass between meals.It is acceptable to eat the berry in small quantities with rye, bran or whole grain bread.The watermelon-kefir (curd) diet allows you to lose 3 to 5 kg in a week.The only disadvantage 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 so much excess weight (up to 5 kg).
A low-calorie menu is prepared for each day.There are 6 meals per day, 3 with additional products and 3 with pure berries.
Example menu for the day:
- Breakfast – buckwheat porridge and 2 slices of watermelon.
- Snack – 2-3 slices of watermelon.
- Lunch – grilled chicken cutlet, 100 g of vegetable salad.
- Snack – 2-3 slices of berries.
- Dinner – 150 g of cottage cheese, a few crispbreads.
- The final snack is 2 slices of watermelon.
For breakfast you can use any porridge: oatmeal, millet, wheat, rice, cooked in water.For lunch it is recommended to combine proteins 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 satiating diet with watermelon protein
This method of losing weight is suitable for those who cannot tolerate hunger.You can maintain this nutritional program for up to 10 days.2-3 meals a day must be high in protein.For breakfast you can eat watermelon with low-fat cheese or eggs, for lunch and dinner you can eat dietary meat (up to 200 g at a time).Snacks consist only of berry slices.
Other types of watermelon diets
There are also watermelon-apple, watermelon-cucumber and watermelon-banana diets.All should be aged no longer than 3-5 days.These products can be consumed either together or individually at regular intervals.When following a diet with bananas, you can eat no more than 1 piece per day.Don't forget that bananas are high in calories and very nutritious.The results of such diets are approximately the same.
Watermelon diet – can you maintain it during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, a woman's body requires 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 too much excess weight.In the last trimester, this can have a very negative impact on a woman's health and well-being.In such cases, several days of fasting under medical supervision may be useful and even necessary.However, you cannot follow a strictly limited diet alone during pregnancy.
Note!Pregnant women often experience swelling, especially in the last few months.You will benefit from diuretic products, but in moderation.
Pros and cons of the watermelon diet
Every diet has advantages and disadvantages.The berry and watermelon diet cannot do without them.
Advantages:
- Delicious.
- Available.
- Effectively cleanses the body.
- Makes you healthier.
- Removes excess liquid.
- Fast results.
Disadvantages:
- Only suitable at certain times of the year.
- Hungry (if it is a mono diet).
- Lasts for a short time.
- Over a long period of time, it can flush useful substances out of the body and put a lot of strain on the kidneys.
Contraindications
People with the following diseases and health problems should not follow a watermelon diet:
- Kidney failure.
- Pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis in the acute stage.
- Stomach ulcer, gastritis.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Stones in the kidneys or gallbladder.
- Pancreatitis.
- Infectious diseases.
The watermelon diet has contraindications for pregnant and lactating women, as well as those suffering from vitamin deficiency.
The opinion of nutritionists - myths and reality
Let's find out what experts say about the berry diet for weight loss.
- The watermelon diet is completely safe.This is a wrong opinion;For some people it is strictly contraindicated.And if done wrong, it can cause harm.
- Watermelon contains enough nutrients.The berry does 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 without any problems.
- With berries you can quickly lose up to 20 kg in a week.It all depends on the speed of a person's metabolism.However, such drastic weight loss is strongly discouraged.The optimal weight loss is up to 10 kg per month.
The best and safest option for a fasting mono-diet with watermelon berries is 1 day a week.But on all other days the diet should also be dietary.In just one day, the berry perfectly cleanses the intestines and removes excess fluid.Is it possible to lose weight by eating this way just one day a week?Yes, it takes 1 to 3 kg per day.However, keep in mind that most of it is liquid.To prevent it from coming back, you need to eat less salt, exercise more and always maintain a proper diet.