Tuna and Egg Diet for Weight Loss

Tuna and Egg Diet for Weight Loss
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Chock full of protein, tuna and eggs are ideal diet foods because they digest slowly and keep hunger at bay, a factor that can either make or break a diet for some dieters. Both are easy to prepare in hosts of ways, eliminating the need for elaborate cooking skills. Those who enjoy both foods might find an egg and tuna diet intriguing and effective.

Tuna and Egg Nutrition

Protein-rich foods such as tuna and egg have many benefits for health. Tuna contains
omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, iron, magnesium potassium and niacin. A single egg contains around 6 g of protein, which is 12 percent of the RDA, or recommended daily value. Unlike plant-based proteins, both egg and tuna are complete sources of protein, meaning they contain all the amino acids your body needs. High-quality protein not only encourages satiety, it also helps adults build muscle by promoting tissue repair, which could heighten the effects of your exercise efforts.

Fad Diets

Similar to the cabbage soup diet and the grapefruit diet, an egg and tuna diet is one of countless fad diets that provide a short-term fix for weight loss. Although these plans may help you reach your goal, they're not likely to help keep you there, as weight loss you achieve quickly is less likely to last and more likely to be a result of water loss rather than fat loss. Additionally, restrictive diets that eliminate whole food groups or focus on the same foods quickly become tiresome. Some dieters find that these types of restrictive diet plans work for a time but then begin to trigger their urge to overeat, which makes it nearly impossible to succeed. A better idea is to eat a well-balanced diet, with occasional treats, says MayoClinic.com.

Risks

The tuna and egg diet can be risky and downright dangerous for some people, particularly those with existing health problems. Because the diet focuses solely on tuna and egg, it lacks other essential nutrients your body needs, such carbohydrates, certain vitamins and minerals as well as protective phytochemicals, such as antioxidants. An egg and tuna diet might also lack dietary fiber, which could result in constipation. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency says too much canned tuna could be hazardous to health, due to the content of mercury. Depending on your weight, it may not be safe to eat more than one can of white albacore tuna every 10 days. Those who eat chunk lite tuna shouldn't consume more than one can every three days, or four days for those weighing fewer than 130 lbs.

Considerations

If you choose to follow an egg and tuna diet for weight loss, do so only for a short time and consider using a multivitamin simultaneously. Incorporate as many other fresh foods as possible and keep your caloric intake above 1,000 calories daily to avoid sending your metabolism into resting mode. Additionally, drink plenty of fluids and consult your doctor if you experience dizziness, fatigue or other bothersome symptoms.

References

Article reviewed by J. Betherman Last updated on: Aug 3, 2011

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