"The Abs Diet" is a book and website created by trainer David Zinczenko. While the diet targets men, it can be used by anyone desiring a flatter stomach. The website guarantees you "a flat stomach and great physique in just 6 weeks."
Features
The book offers a seven-day meal plan as well as recipes. The strategy is that you eat certain "power foods" for all meals. The principles behind the diet are based on those followed by athletes, fitness competitors and body builders: eat several mini-meals, enhance lean muscle mass, increase protein intake and limit refined sugar and carbohydrates. You are permitted one "cheat" meal per week during which you may eat anything you like. Strength training and cardio exercise are important components of the diet plan.
Types of Food
Fatty meats, refined grains and added sugars are discouraged. Instead, foods like almonds, beans, green vegetables, low-fat dairy, oatmeal, eggs, lean meats, peanut butter, olive oil, whole grains, whey protein and berries are emphasized. In general, the Abs Diet wants you to take in whole, unprocessed foods, while forgoing processed items.
Benefits
The Abs Diet provides healthy dieting advice that fits the advice of multiple health experts, including those at the Harvard School of Public Health. If followed stringently, a person is likely to experience a more toned physique and weight loss. The diet is not overly restrictive in terms of calories or specific food groups. It encourages a higher intake of healthy foods like vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.
Expert Insight
The foods recommended by the Abs Diet have been shown to assist with weight loss. Nuts--specifically almonds and peanuts--increase satiation and may lead to lower overall daily caloric intake. A 2009 study from the Australian Curtin University showed that dieters who included five servings of dairy daily--such as yogurt, cottage cheese and skim milk as recommended by the Abs Diet--lost more weight and belly fat than dieters eating less dairy. Heather Katcher, lead researcher on a study published in a 2008 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that whole grains also enhance belly fat loss when eaten in place of refined grains.
Considerations
Attaining a six pack sometimes takes more than sensible dieting and exercise. Genetics, very low body fat and gender play a role in your ability to really get that "cut" look. The Abs Diet may help you shrink overall fat, but obtaining a washboard stomach may not be possible. Following the diet without the exercise component may yield some weight loss if the changes are dramatic for you, but committing to both exercise and revised eating habits yields the best results.
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