The Chemical Breakdown Diet comes with claims that it is possible to lose weight quickly – up to 10 pounds in 3 days is widely reported. If you feel the need to lose some weight quickly, it is worth considering, as the ingredients are foods that are commonly found in most supermarkets.
Perhaps better known as the 3-day diet and the tuna diet, the chemical breakdown diet is reported to be successful due to the chemical reaction of the ingredients acting on fat deposits and removing them from the system. This loss of fat effectively produces weight loss.
Because the ingredients have been selected with this chemical reaction in mind, dieters are advised not to substitute other foods and also to follow the order in which the ingredients should be consumed.
Some versions of the chemical breakdown diet refer to it as the 3-day 4-day no diet, which means that it should be followed for only three days and there should be four days of normal eating before repeating the diet. Naturally, dieters are cautioned against eating excessively or unhealthily during the four-day break if the weight loss is to be permanent.
MENU
Salt and pepper are the only recommended seasonings. Drink lots of water: 6-8 cups.
MENU
Salt and pepper are the only recommended seasonings. Drink lots of water: 6-8 cups.
DAY 1:
Morning: 1 tablespoon of peanut butter is allowed with 1 slice of toast, half a grapefruit and a cup of tea or coffee (without milk).
Noon: 1 tablespoon of peanut butter is allowed with 1 slice of toast, tuna (half a cup) and a cup of tea or coffee (no milk).
Night: Chicken breast without skin (1 serving), green beans (1 cup), beets (1 cup), ice cream (1 cup), apple (small).
DAY 2:
Morning: Boiled or poached egg (1), 1 slice of toast, banana (1/2) and a cup of tea or coffee (without milk).
Noon: Tuna (1 cup), crackers (6) and a cup of tea or coffee (without milk).
Evening: hot dog sausage (2), banana (1/2), broccoli (1 cup), carrots (1/2 cup), ice cream (1/2 cup)
DAY 3:
Morning: cheddar cheese (1 slice), crackers (5), apple (1), and a cup of tea or coffee (no milk).
Noon: Boiled or poached egg (1), 1 slice of toast.
Evening: Tuna (1 cup), beetroot (1 cup), cauliflower (1 cup), ice cream (1/2 cup), melon (1/2)
Avoid snacking between meals. As calories are limited and below what the body normally needs, the deficit will be made up by consuming fat deposits in the body. The low level of carbohydrates will prevent water retention and this also helps with weight loss. However, for long-term benefits and to avoid replacing weight that has been lost, consider a change in eating habits that includes balanced nutrients and a wider range of foods to choose from.
While the Chemical Breakdown Diet is easy to set up, free, and convenient, its obvious limitations in terms of nutrients, protein, carbohydrates, and fats mean that it is not sustainable or recommended for long-term use. Also consider how much easier it would be to stick to a diet that doesn’t leave you hungry and wanting a little more.