Does the 7-day GM Diet really work?
The GM Diet is a low-calorie diet that includes a seven-day meal plan focusing on a specific food or food group for each day. GM stands for General Motors and according to sources, this diet plan was developed and popularized by the General Motors Corporation to help its employees with their weight loss journeys. Read on to know all about the GM Diet.
Here is what our expert says
The General Motors (GM) diet was proposed in 1985. Its basic premise is focusing on a particular food group each day of the week. However, the Indian modification of the GM diet has been proven to be harmful because of the nutritional deficiencies that develop following this diet. The key to losing weight remains a calorie deficit between eating and expending energy.
The diet works on the principle of energy balance
The GM Diet is based on the fundamental principle of energy balance. When the amount of absorbed calories equals the number of burned calories, your body weight remains the same. The plan claims to help you lose up to 6.8 kg in one week.
Foods that are allowed or not allowed
The GM Diet claims to burn calories and help you lose weight without affecting your energy levels or mood. The diet includes milk, meat, and lots of fruits and vegetables which are low in calories and high in fiber. This helps to suppress fat accumulation in the body and reduce hunger pangs. It also doesn't allow added sugars, refined carbs, and processed foods.
Benefits of the diet
Since the diet includes a lot of healthy fruits and vegetables, it cleanses your system and promotes better digestion and improved metabolism. It reduces the intake of added sugars and processed and packaged food which is good for your overall health. It enhances your mood and cures constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. This diet also claims to improve the quality of your skin.
Risks related to the diet
The GM Diet lacks several essential nutrients which makes it difficult to follow it as a sustainable long-term weight loss strategy. It lacks healthy fats, proteins, essential vitamins, and minerals. According to research, high-protein diets promote weight loss faster, but the GM diet does not include much protein. It can also lead to muscle weakness, fatigue, dehydration, headaches, and poor physical performance during workouts.
Some rules to follow while being on the GM diet
The plan involves a big breakfast, medium-sized lunch, and a light dinner. A wonder soup made with cabbage, celery, pepper, carrots, and tomatoes can be had as a snack throughout the day. The diet recommends drinking two-three glasses of water with each meal. People can do yoga while dieting. After day-three, low-intensity cardio is permitted and on day-five, strength training is also allowed.
Seven-day dietary plan
Day one: Have fruits like watermelon and muskmelon; no bananas. Day two: Ingest one boiled potato and vegetables. Day three: Eat fruits and vegetables except for potatoes and bananas. Day four: Have bananas and milk. Day five: Consume meat like chicken, eggs, or fish. Day six: Have meat and vegetables excluding potatoes and tomatoes. Day seven: Eat brown rice, fruit, and vegetables.
Does it actually work?
People following the GM diet intake fewer calories. Therefore it's great for losing weight in a short time. However, this diet is not the healthiest way to lose weight since it eliminates certain nutrients. Also, it can be difficult to follow in the long run.
