Is the Flat Belly Diet Just Another Fad?
Posted on January 2nd, 2008 in diet, lifestyle changes, weight loss diet, whole foods | 18 Comments »
There’s lots of talk about the Flat Belly Diet, being the New Year and all. But is this just another fad diet that will leave you disappointed with more fat than when you started?
First let me say that diets don’t work.
Studies show that between 95-99% of dieters don’t achieve permanent weight loss and many gain back even more than when they started. The reason is that it’s setup as a temporary solution, not a lifestyle change.
The key to successful and permanent weight loss, to regaining your optimal weight and releasing the extra fat is through lifestyle changes. Changing your daily habits with eating, moving, thinking, sleeping and acting.
Here’s what I think the Flat Belly Diet does right.
They do put an emphasis on making changes to your eating habits. They recommend better alternatives, although I would go further than their recommendations and eliminate the animal foods and focus mostly on fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and natural grains as much as possible.
The online portion of the program also provides a way to track your progress, interact with others on the plan, ask questions, get support and share your experiences.
Here’s where I think the Flat Belly Diet goes… well, flat!
They emphasize ‘MUFA’ at every meal. They use ‘MUFA’ to stand for monounsaturated fatty acid, a good fat. Yes, good fats are important, although I believe there is too much emphasis here. You see, studies have shown that the optimal fat intake levels are around 10-20% of total calories. Not the percentage of food you eat, but the percentage of calories you consume. Of that 10-20% daily intake, good fats from nuts, seeds, coconut and avocados for example are great choices. However, it’s important to note that a little goes far in good fats. For example, for an average person, eating just one small avocado all day exceeds the optimal daily fat intake. So an emphasis on having good fats at every meal will easily exceed the optimal 10-20%.
My recent post on how to know the amount of calories you consume daily can help with determining what you’re eating now and how changes will affect your intake.
Next, surprisingly, the fitness and activity portion of the online system is optional. That’s right, they don’t emphasize getting active throughout the program – in fact advertise ‘no exercise required’, but subtly do recommend it as an option to get better results. In my experience and from years of research, it’s not only important but vital to be active for optimal health. And this isn’t only my opinion, it’s that of thousands of natural health professionals and advocates world wide. Anywhere from 20 – 60 minutes of strenuous activity a day is optimal for not only losing weight but for maintaining your best health. There are simple exercises you can do at home daily, no need to go to the gym or buy expensive equipment.
In my opinion, advertising that ‘no exercise is required’ is basically a way to sell more of the Flat Belly Diet to those that are looking for something easy and takes little effort.
To lose weight permanently you need to make permanent lifestyle changes. One of the better resources I’ve found is a DVD on healthy living that is like an encyclopedia, complete with interviews with health care professionals, doctors, celebrities and chefs, research, case studies, recipes and more. Check out my review along with the video preview and share it with those you care about.
Here are some more resources:
- Fat Blasting Online Workout Video
- 37 Free Permanent Weight Loss Tips
- New Year’s Resolutions and Brain Science
- Weight Loss Your New Year’s Resolution?
- Flat Belly Diet Videos
Enjoy and to your best health!
Mark Idzik
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18 Responses
I think I am gonna try it but also exercise as well, even though I hate to exercise. I know that I have to do that in order to be healthy and young-feeling. I am 40 years old, over weight and have bad knees and a bad back because of my weight. I feel like an 80 year old. I look 30 in the face and feel and look older everywhere else. Any other tips? Thanks
im on the flat belly diet rite now. i never bought the book, but the prevention website pretty much gave enough info on how the diet is to be conducted. Although i feel as if it is fad diet, ive been doing it for 2 weeks, not exercising, and ive lost maybe 2 pounds. But IVE LOST A LOT OF BELLY FAT! like incredibly much. I think its a really good diet, i actually think its healthy compared to what i normally eat. and i rarely feel hungry on this diet. I say many people should definitly try this diet out before regarding it as a fad.
Unfortunately, I think you are losing water and intestinal contents in the abdomenal area, and maybe some good fat loss too, though. When people overeat, their livers get large, and when they eat right, they also get smaller, so there could be many reasons why our bellies get flatter. This doesn’t mean it’s a bad diet. I am going to give it a 3 month trial WITH exercise…why not?
I am going to try the diet as well. I love my body for the most part, but hate my midsection. I’ve tried exercising and “eating better” but I lost motivation quickly because I am the type of person who needs to see “quick” results. I would get frustrated without seeing the rapid results and give up. I’m not overweight, but I’ve put on a few pounds since recently getting married. Also, it hasn’t helped that my husband is away at Navy Officer Training so I’ve been eating “easy” food and sitting around the house when I’m not at work. So, I’m going to give the diet a shot! What harm can it do??? Now my motivation is to have a flat belly and show him the hard work I’ve been doing while he was away
Sarah,
I am willing to try this diet. Can you tell me what 5 foods you are eating and how much quantity. I heard olive oil, seeds (which seeds), avacado, nuts and dark chocolate. How much of each do you eat and when?
I have a a lot of belly fat after my kids. I am also doing yoga now and trying to eat healthy.
Kavita,
You may also want to check out http://www.Fit-Yummy-Mummy.com, it’s specifically for mom’s that want to get back into shape after having kids. Holly is a mom herself and has great success stories. All the best!
Mark
Today is the first day of The Flat Belly Diet for me. I had my vry first blueberry smoothie today. I am 46 years old. I have ALOT of fat in my belly. Was thinking of getting a tummy tuck..costly..and not sure if that is what I want. I am praying this diet works..So far so good.
I read your blog about the flat belly diet- I don’t have the money to buy the book- what diet are you following and how you are now? I see you wrote the blog back in January- are you still on the diet, how much weight have you lost etc… how did you know what foods to eat? Thanks
I looked at the fit-yummy-mummy. Though it looks very promising, its pretty expensive.
Unfortunately they don’t tell you exactly what foods they recommend unless you join their membership or buy the book. I had a bad experience with the Flat Belly Diet. I happen to have digestive problems but there is no warning and most of the foods disagreed with me. Instead of flat I had fat belly. Most of their success stories didn’t lose more that 5, 6 or 7 pounds in a 32 day period. Probably water retention.
Sarah:
How much have you lost around the belly? I am getting married in 6 months and need to loose the mid section…I am ready to try sassy water this weekend….please any info would be great….
I may recommend Healthy Weight Loss as an alternative. Seems like so many are having troubles with diets and jumping around from diet to diet. This is not a diet and based only around healthy food and healthy living principles. Something you can do for life and never worry about dieting again. Many are reporting losing about 1 pound a day naturally in a healthy manner. All the best! Healthy Weight Loss
How much of the sassy water are you suppose to drink each day?
I started the Flat Belly Diet on 3/17/08, and have lost over 18 lbs so far!! This diet is very, very workable, and I have tried every diet there is. I am not working out at all yet, but plan to fairly soon. The diet takes planning, but is NOT hard to follow.
i will have a go at this diet, as it looks promising, but idon’t believe in the “no-exercise” bit. if you don’t exercise then of course you will gain more weight. so it is best to stick to this diet and also exercise and you will probably see the results within the 4 days as it supposedly says. this is pretty much a meditteranean diet because it involves a fair bit of white meat and lots of fruit and veg. i will however cut out the seeds and oils except for olive oil, as they are fatty, good fats but if you keep those to a limit and swap them for fruit or raw veg like carrots then it could work.
Just a warning to those that have had their gallbladder removed. My liver became very inflamed while on this diet. I became very sick and had lots of back pain and had no energy. My doctor explained that the liver cannot do the gallbladders job, so I should be on a low fat diet and take digestive enzymes with each meal. Since changing to a low fat diet, which consists of lots of fresh veggies, fruit, chicken breast, turkey breast, fish, seafood, pork tenderloin, bison burger and whole grains, I have lost 15 pounds and I’m feeling great. I wish I would of known this 3 years ago, after losing my gallbladder to an IV antibiotic that I was taking at the time. I could of avoided a whole lot of problems, if I would of started eating this way and taking digestive enzymes then. Good luck to you! I think it may work, if you don’t have digestive issues. If you start to get pain in your right side and feel sluggish, you might want to rethink this diet.
I just went and had a flick through this in my local bookstore. Way too much meat in this diet. Chicken this, burger that….I think I would like to see a more vegetarian-friendly version before I shell out £12.99!
It all really comes down to eating healthy foods and exercise, with a minimum of 30 minutes a day. Less calories in than out. The exercise will help with your metabolism, through strengthening your muscles. Keep it simple this way it is easier to maintain.