Diet for Factor 5

If you're looking for a weight-loss plan that's been tested by celebrities like Megan Fox, Hilary Duff and Jennifer Hudson, the 5-Factor Diet may be right for you. The 5-Factor Diet, created by personal trainer Harley Pasternak, is a diet and exercise plan that involves eating five small meals a day in order to lose weight. Consult your doctor before making changes in your current diet and exercise routine.

History

Harley Pasternak is the best-selling author of "The 5-Factor Diet," published in 2009. Pasternak obtained a Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology and Nutritional Sciences from the University of Toronto, according to The 5-Factor Diet official website. Pasternak believes the key to weight loss is splitting meals and workout into short, frequent segments throughout the day. The book, "The 5-Factor Diet" is the followup to his first book, "5-Factor Fitness," written in 2004.

Significance

The 5-Factor Diet involves eating five small meals a day, following the five meal criteria rules for every meal, using five ingredients for each meal, exercising for 25 minutes five days per week and using Sunday as a cheat day. During the cheat day, eat whatever you want as long as you are still eating five small meals throughout the day.

Sample Meals

For breakfast, Pasternak recommends eating sugar-free cereal that contains 5 g of fiber and 5 g of protein per serving. For lunch, eat a sandwich made on a tortilla instead of bread, a salad or soup. For dinner, eat a lean protein like fish or chicken with a carbohydrate like broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potato or spinach, according to EveryDiet.org. To switch up breakfast while still sticking to the diet, make an omelet with egg whites, 3 cups chopped broccoli and a small amount of nonfat cheddar cheese, recommends "Fitness" magazine.

Sample Snacks

In addition to three larger meals, eat two smaller meals as snacks -- one between breakfast and lunch, and one between lunch and dinner. For a morning snack, eat an apple and a few tablespoons of nonfat cottage cheese or nonfat yogurt. For an afternoon snack, eat nonfat French onion dip with celery sticks or turkey jerky and a peach.

Expert Insight

According to Cleveland Clinic eating small meals throughout the day may not only help you lose weight, it may also lower your cholesterol levels. Avoid snacking three hours before going to bed. Otherwise, drink plenty of water and eat small portions more frequently, rather than eating large portions only two or three times a day.