Digest Diet

The Digest Diet is a 21-day weight loss program created by Liz Vaccariello, editor in chief of Reader’s Digest.

This plan focuses on healthy natural foods that have been scientifically proven to help you release body fat.

Some foods have the ability to release fat from fat cells, while other foods help the body burn the fat once it’s released.

These foods provide the foundation of The Digets Diet.

Digest Diet Basics

Fat Releasing Foods

The Digest Diet emphasizes fat-releasing foods that can enhance your weight loss efforts in a way that is easy and delicious. There are 13 fat releasers, which include nutrients such as:

• Vitamin C
• Calcium
• Protein
• Monounsaturated Fats
• Fiber

You can boost the rate of fat-burning by eating foods high in these nutrients at every meal. Examples of fat-releasing foods include:

• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Dairy products
• Legumes
• Quinoa
• Coconut Oil
• Honey
• Unsweetened Cocoa
• Apple Cider Vinegar

The 21-Day Fat Release Plan

The eating plan consists of three stages, which all highlight the fat releasing foods. But the calorie and macronutrient ratios shift in each phase to maximize your results.

Fast Release: Days 1-4

This is a four-day jump-start that helps you to quickly and safely release excess fat. Each day you will consume two smoothies containing ingredients like fresh fruit, nonfat yogurt and healthy fats. You will also have soup for one meal and one crunchy snack.

Fade Away: Days 5-14

During the second phase of The Digest Diet you will continue to have a shake for breakfast each day. For the other meals you will consume more lean proteins and micronutrient rich greens like spinach, kale and watercress. These foods give your body the fuel it needs to build muscle and release fat.

You will also reduce your intake of carbohydrates to increase your fat loss results. However you can enjoy a glass of red wine with dinner if you like.

Finish Strong: Days 15-21

The last week of the plan shows you how to enjoy a balanced, whole-foods diet for long-term weight management. If you still have more weight to lose you can stay in this phase as long as you like. Alternatively you have the option to cycle back through all three phases until you reach your goal.

This final phase teaches you a way of eating for maintenance and consists of a healthy balance of carbs, protein and fat.

Foods for Fat Loss

Turkey, shrimp, chicken breast, steak, salmon, eggs, bananas, apple, strawberries, red grapes, avocado, spinach, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, nonfat yogurt, fat-free milk, fat-free cheese, coconut milk, flaxseed meal, natural peanut butter, tahini, quinoa, whole-grain bread, oatmeal, honey, cocoa, olive oil, red wine.

One Day Meal Plan

Breakfast Fade Away Shake

Morning Snack 1 mini cheese 20 pistachios 3 celery stalks

Lunch Turkey and Cheddar Rollup

Afternoon Snack 2 teaspoons natural peanut butter 2 whole-grain crackers ½ cup fat-free milk

Dinner 6 ounces grilled shrimp Edamame Mash with Parmesan 2 cups baby spinach 1 tablespoon Digest Diet Vinaigrette 4 ounce glass of red wine

Dessert Handful of red grapes

Strength Training is Recommended

The Digest Diet explains that exercise alone is not very effective for weight loss unless combined with a healthy eating plan. Additionally aerobic exercise can actually increase your appetite and trigger you to consume more calories.

The book includes the 12-minute “Fat Release Workout”, which combines strength and high-intensity interval training. These types of exercises will help you effectively burn fat and build lean muscle.

Costs and Expenses

The Digest Diet: The Best Foods for Fast, Lasting Weight Loss retails at $24.99.

Pros

• Most dieters will experience rapid weight loss in beginning phases of the program.
• Food recommendations are based on scientific research.
• Demonstrated to be effective in a trial with twelve men and women.
• Workouts are short and effective and can be performed at home.
• Includes a 21-day meal plan with recipes.
• Teaches healthy eating behaviors for long-term weight management.

Cons

• Diet is very restrictive in the first phase.
• Calories may be too low for physically active dieters, especially in the beginning.
• Research regarding weight loss benefits of consuming high amounts of dairy has been contested by some health experts.
• Not suitable for individuals with an intolerance to dairy products.
• Does not include a vegetarian menu.

Low Calorie with Nutritious Foods

The Digest Diet focuses on foods rich in specific nutrients that have been associated with weight loss benefits. Most dieters will probably lose weight fairly rapidly during the first two weeks. However this will be primarily due to the very low calorie intake in the initial phases of the diet.

Nevertheless, this program does offer valuable information regarding how to eat as a healthy lifestyle approach to long-term weight management.

If you are looking for the shopping lists, unfortunately they were only listed online, and not in the book, and the site is long gone. We’ve managed to hold onto one: Digest-Diet-shopping-list-days-10-14.