Metabolic Weight Loss Programs

A metabolic approach to weight loss emphasizes the way the body processes foods, rather than the total amount of calories being taken in. The focus is on food that supports exercise and workouts. Each of these programs allows you one "cheat meal" per week, so you don't have to entirely give up all the foods you love. Follow a metabolic weight loss program to reach your goals without having to count every calorie.

Combat the Fat

Combat the Fat has some basic rules that are easy to live by. You eat six meals per day, each with 20 gm or more of protein and 7 gm of fiber. On workout days you eat three servings of "dry" carbs, such as breads and starches; on non-workout days you eat only two servings. In addition, you take in four servings of essential fatty acids per day, from olive or flaxseed oil or nuts and seeds. Every day you eat at least five different colors of fruits and vegetables--"wet carbs"-- and are not limited as long as you take them in with a meal or snack.
Author Jeff Anderson recommends you eat dessert every day in the form of a delicious protein smoothie or protein pudding. If you must eat cookies or ice cream, do it immediately after your weight-training workout.

Xtreme Lean

This program recommends moderate carbohydrates, taken in to energize your training and help you recover afterward. You might eat an apple before you work out and then take in 60 gm of high-glycemic carbs, such as fruit juice, immediately after. Afternoon and evening meals focus on lean proteins, healthy fats and fresh, fibrous vegetables.
You aim for 1 to 1.5 gm of protein per pound of body weight. A male would take in between 100 and 150 gm of carbohydrates per day, while a female might need only 80 to 120 gm. You can experiment with daily carbs by starting at one gm per pound of body weight and decreasing by fifty gm every two weeks until reaching your desired rate of fat loss. Non-workout days you spread these carbohydrates among five or six smaller meals.
Xtreme Lean recommends not eating anything after eight o'clock pm. If you must eat, take in lean protein and vegetables. Also, make sure that your fat content does not dip below 25 percent of total calories to keep a healthy hormonal environment for fat loss.

The Abs Diet

More than a diet, the Abs Diet reads more like a long-term plan for weight management , so there are very few rules. Like Xtreme Lean and Combat the Fat, this one recommends eating six smaller meals throughout the day to elevate your metabolic rate. This program focuses a lot on the types of foods you take in. The list of fat-burning and muscle-building power foods includes almonds and nuts, beans, green vegetables, dairy, oatmeal, eggs, lean meats, peanut butter, olive oil, whole-grain breads, whey protein and berries.
Author David Zinczenko recommends that you stop counting, drink protein smoothies regularly, include the power foods, reduce alcohol intake and eat one cheat meal per week.