One of the biggest reasons for the popularity of the GM diet is that it works. This 7-day speedy weight-loss diet plan allows you to eat unlimited amounts of food as long as you restrict yourself to the recommended food groups. Known to help people lose 10-17 pounds within a week, it’s a lifesaver if you need to lose weight fast and without sweating it out.
There must be any number of times that you started a diet but could never keep up. Mostly because the meals were difficult to prepare or the food was not keeping you full or you weren’t getting the results you wanted soon enough. The fact is that maintaining a steady diet is a long term commitment and demands changes that your body and mind are sometimes just not ready to make. However, if your goal is to quickly lose a few pounds without breaking too much sweat, the GM diet might be the silver bullet you’re looking for.
What is GM Diet
According to the internet, the General Motors Diet (GM Diet) was created in 1985 by General Motors Corporation to help employees stay fit and improve their overall quality of life. A 2009 New York Times article, though, reports that the General Motors’ spokesperson denied that the company had any part to play in devising this popular diet plan. As it stands, there is no credible organization or individual who claims responsibility for creating this diet.
Preparing for The GM Diet
The first point to note here is that the diet requires a drastic change in your eating habits and you need to be mentally prepared to get yourself through these 7 days. Losing 10-17 pounds in such a short period means your body will go through some major changes and you are going to feel more hungry or weak in the initial 2-3 days of the program. But the goal is to stay focused and stick to the plan for 7 days. Being on the GM diet may also cause you to sweat more than usual. So make sure you drink about 10 glasses of water every day.
The 7-Day GM Diet Plan
The GM diet plan is spread over 7 consecutive days with specific instructions on what you can or cannot eat on each day. Unlike other diets, the meal plan is not very restrictive in terms of quantity and is easy to follow. The diet plan also acts as a detox for your body as most foods recommended are high on water and fiber content.
This diet gives you the freedom to drink as much cabbage soup as you want during the 7 days but it’s not recommended that you drink more than 2-3 bowls a day. Experts also suggest doing light exercises for about 10-20 minutes every day to aid in weight loss and keep the metabolic rate higher.
Day 1 Fruits
The first day is dedicated to fruits. You can have all varieties of fruits with banana being the only exception. While you need to restrict yourself to fruits for all your meals, there is no limit on how much fruit you can consume. It is, however, recommended that you include a large portion of melons in your fruit mix.
Day 2 Vegetables
On the second day, you switch to vegetables. You can either have them raw or cooked. Like on day 1, there is no restriction on the quantity as long as you stick to just vegetables. There’s one little clause though; you can have potatoes only during breakfast. The potatoes will give you the carbs you need to meet your energy needs while the other vegetables provide you with essential nutrients and fiber.
Day 3 Both Fruits and Vegetables
Today is a mix of day 1 and day 2, which means you can eat both fruits and vegetables on day 3. Not bananas and potatoes though. This is because you’re getting all the carbs that you need from the fruits. There are no restrictions on the quantity of food up until now. So eat to your heart’s content.
Day 4 Bananas and Milk
Today is when you have some restrictions. The diet on day 4 is going to be just bananas and milk. You can eat up to 8 small bananas or 6 large ones and drink 3 glasses of milk, preferably skimmed. You can divide the quantity across 3 meals or even combine them to make yourself a smoothie. You can have cabbage soup to beat the hunger pangs in between meals. Use soy milk if you’re lactose intolerant.
Day 5 More Protein
If you’re used to eating meat, today is your big break. On day 6, you get to eat proteins and can have two 10 oz portions of beef, chicken, or fish, along with 6 whole tomatoes. If you’re not a fan of raw tomatoes, you could make a soup out of them and have it with the meat of your choice. Vegetarians can substitute meat with cottage cheese or brown rice. Because you’re eating more protein, make sure you’re also drinking 10-12 glasses of water to flush out the uric acid.
Day 6 Meat and Vegetables
On day 6, though the amount of meat you can eat remains the same as day 5, you can satiate yourself with an unlimited amount of vegetables. You can have two 10 oz portions of beef, chicken, or fish while vegetarians can substitute the meat with cottage cheese. By this time, you should be able to feel the difference in your appearance and body weight. You might even start enjoying the diet because of how it makes you feel.
Day 7 More Fruits and Vegetables
On the last day of your GM diet, you get to have as many fruits and vegetables as you like. You can also have up to 2 cups of brown rice if you like. There is no meat included on the last day. But after going through 6 days of the diet, you will find that fruits and vegetables can keep you full.
Things To Remember Before You Start
- Health Risk: GM diet is a drastic change from your regular food habits which is why it’s advisable to consult with your healthcare provider before you start the diet.
- Restrictions: This diet is not meant for pregnant women and children. It is also not for people who have pre-existing health conditions like Type 2 diabetes.
- Sustainability: GM diet is a quick weight loss solution but it’s not sustainable. Use it only use it once in a while. The lost weight might come back once you switch to your regular eating habits.
- Side Effects: A sudden change in food intake might result in side effects such as muscle weakness due to lack of protein, headaches because of fatigue, and dehydration if you’re not drinking enough water.
- Criticism: GM diet has been called a fad diet because it does not recommend exercise and the meal plans exclude several nutritious foods that are essential to building your overall health.
Despite all it’s many drawbacks, the GM diet has been consistently one of the most popular diets used to lose weight effectively. What works in its favor is that it lasts for only 7 days, has a simple and straightforward approach to what and how much you can eat, and helps you drop a couple of dress sizes so that you look great for your special day. It may not be the healthiest way to lose weight but it definitely is a shortcut that has worked for many people over the years.
Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.