The Thrive Diet was developed by professional Ironman triathlete Brendan Brazier. It is a vegan program, meaning it does not include meat or any other animal products. Detailed in Brazier's 2007 book "The Thrive Diet," the eating style is promoted as being beneficial for physical and mental health and also for the health of the planet.
Function
The Thrive Diet helps physically active people develop a lean body, increased endurance and better mental clarity. The book's subtitle is "The Whole Food Way to Lose Weight, Reduce Stress, and Stay Healthy for Life." Brazier designed the diet to provide a high nutrient density for the amount of calories eaten and to decrease inflammation in the body, explains the Every Diet website. He says this diet helped him to improve his athletic performance at a higher rate than average.
Foods
Enjoy a large number of fruits and vegetables on the Thrive Diet, along with lesser amounts of whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Eating raw foods is a primary recommendation, according to Every Diet. Gradually eliminate your intake of refined or processed foods. Brazier advocates eating a daily salad with dark green leafy vegetables, which helps to repair cell damage and create new blood cells. He also encourages blending greens into smoothies.
Features
You can eat as much as you want to on the Thrive Diet, but you likely will be satisfied with smaller portions than usual because the foods are nutrient-dense, notes Every Diet. In addition, the diet involves eating frequent small meals to help regulate blood sugar, which decreases hunger and food cravings.
Specifics
Recipes for the Thrive Diet stand out from the ordinary, as noted by Diets in Review and Every Diet. For breakfast on the Thrive Diet, you might have a bowl of banana pear ginger cereal with almond milk; for lunch, creamy pepper soup and crackers or a spicy black-eyed pea quinoa pizza; and for dinner, a pecan sunflower seed burger or a cucumber pesto salad. Snacks might include an energy bar or smoothie, while dessert could be a piece of banana coconut pie.
Additional Recommendation
Daily exercise is an integral part of the Thrive Diet, according to Diets in Review. You can choose from three levels which vary in intensity and required ability. The book provides instructions on different types of cardiovascular and strength-training exercises, along with foods to eat before and after working out.
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