Aztec Diet: Chia For Weight Loss

The Aztec Diet was created by Dr. Bob Arnot, a New York Times bestselling author. It is designed to help incorporate the healthy eating habits of the Aztec culture into our modern-day lives.

aztec-diet

This program focuses on ancient superfoods consumed by Aztec people – in particular chia seeds.

Consumption of chia seeds provides many health and nutritional benefits including:

  • Elimination of cravings
  • Reduced inflammation
  • More stable blood sugar
  • Improved brain function
  • 8 times more omega-3’s than Atlantic farmed salmon
  • 6 times more calcium than milk
  • 3 times more iron than spinach
  • 2 times more fiber than bran flakes

Aztec Diet Basics

The Aztec Diet is a three-phase program that eliminates cravings and teaches you how to make healthy food choices. The eating plan is relatively high in protein and low in carbohydrates – especially refined grains and sugar.

Chia Seeds: A Natural Appetite Suppressant

The diet of the Aztecs was composed of a variety of nutritious foods. Examples include beans, corn, vegetables, fruit, fish, turkey, amaranth, and quinoa. One of the most important is chia seeds, which serve as the foundation of The Aztec Diet.

  • Chia seeds slow down the absorption of nutrients, which helps to reduce appetite and regulate blood sugar levels after meals.
  • They keep you feeling full for longer because they expand to seven times their size in your stomach. This makes it easier to eat less and lose weight without feeling hungry.

Phase 1: The Chia Challenge

The first phase jump-starts weight loss and supercharges your metabolism with three chia smoothies a day. Snacks are permitted in the afternoon and evening.

It is like a cleanse because it eliminates everything unhealthy. Yet it provides all the nutrients you need to keep feeling full and energetic.

Everyone should do this phase for at least two weeks. However, if you need to lose 20 pounds or more you can stay on it longer.

Phase 2: Accelerate with Lunch

The second phase replaces the mid-day smoothie with nutritious lunch. It is designed to mimic the eating schedule of the Aztecs whose main meal was at mid-day.

Consuming a smoothie for the evening meal curbs the tendency for overeating.

You will stay on this phase for six weeks. It helps you:

  • Firmly establish new healthy eating patterns
  • Break the cycle of ending the day with a big dinner

Phase 3: Real Life Aztec Style

In the final phase you will learn how to maintain your ideal weight. You are provided with weight management tools including:

  • Guide to smart food choices
  • Two weeks of Aztec meals
  • Healthy recipes

All of the recipes adhere to the principles of the Aztec diet to keep omega-3 levels are in the target zone. This keeps inflammation under control and ensures you continue to experience the long-term health benefits of the diet.

Aztec Foods

Some of the foods included in the Aztec Diet.Chia seeds, quinoa, amaranth, brown rice, lentils, black beans, salmon, chicken, turkey, egg-whites, feta cheese, almond milk, walnuts, kale, asparagus, corn, broccoli, bok choy, tomatoes, summer squash, avocado, blueberries, strawberries, extra-virgin olive oil, green tea.

Phase 2 Meal Plan

Breakfast

1 cup green tea
Dr. Bob’s Kale Blueberry Smoothie with two scoops of chia

Lunch

Fish tacos

Afternoon Snack

Carrot sticks and hummus

Dinner

Apple Cucumber Parsley Mint Smoothie with one scoop of chia

Exercise Every Day

On the Aztec Diet exercise will no longer be painful or uncomfortable. This is because the diet fuels your muscles so they are ready to power your workouts.

You should try to exercise every day, preferably in the afternoon, but the morning is fine too. Start at a slow pace and try to vary the intensity of your workouts. This keeps your metabolism revved up and gives your body time to recover between exercise sessions.

Costs and Expenses

The Aztec Diet: Chia Power: The Superfood that Gets You Skinny and Keeps You Healthy retails at $25.99.

Available from Amazon →

Also the addition cost of buying chia seeds is expected. They are about $8-$10 a pound.

Pros

  • Chia seeds are a good source of omega-3 fats, which have a wide variety of health benefits.
  • Rapid weight loss will probably occur in the first phase, which provides motivation to continue with the program.
  • Offers advice for athletes on how to eat for better exercise performance and recovery.
  • Includes a two-week meal plan and recipes.

Cons

  • The first phase is very strict and requires elimination of most solid foods.
  • Some dieters experience bloating and digestive discomfort as their body adapts to a higher intake of fiber from chia seeds.
  • Most of the recipes don’t include chia seeds.

Chia Seed Reduces Appetite

The Aztec Diet harnesses the ability of chia seeds to reduce appetite and improve blood sugar balance.

These unique properties of chia seeds make it easier to lose weight without experiencing hunger or cravings.

 By Mizpah Matus B.Hlth.Sc(Hons)
    Citations:
  • http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/omega3-fatty-acids link
  • Reyes-Caudillo, E., Tecante, A., & Valdivia-López, M. A. (2008). Dietary fibre content and antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds present in Mexican chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds. Food Chemistry, 107(2), 656-663. link
  • Nieman, D. C., Cayea, E. J., Austin, M. D., Henson, D. A., McAnulty, S. R., & Jin, F. (2009). Chia seed does not promote weight loss or alter disease risk factors in overweight adults. Nutrition Research, 29(6), 414-418. link

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