Charles Stuart Platkin, a medical doctor, created the Automatic Diet. One of its major principles is eating less. During the first three days of this diet, dieters analyze their food intake to determine their exact food intake. They read food labels and then choose foods that are low in calories, lipids, and glucides. Another principle is increasing their athletic activity. Dieters should avoid as much as possible saturated fats, often found in meat, dairy products, and egg yolks. Don't cook food in oil but in a Teflon pan or steam them.
For your diet to be automatic, you must assume good alimentary habits. To do so, increase your protein intake and consume the least lipids (fats) possible. Consume low-starch foods including vegetables. Foods to avoid include cold cuts, dairy products, sugary cereals, and foods rich in fat and sugar such as chips, pizza, cookies, cakes, ice cream, and other sweets. Another principle is having a good breakfast. Enjoy balanced, nutritious snacks and eat only when hungry. Engage in sports and remember that it is more efficient to exercise during three ten minute sessions a day than once a day for thirty minutes.
Advantages of the Automatic Diet include the fact that it isn't strict and so is easy to follow. The change in your dietary habits is progressive. This diet claims to be quiet effective in the long term. The major disadvantage is the absence of a psychological aspect. Here are two sample menus: Menu 1 Breakfast: 1 Two slices of whole grain bread with margarine and light jam. 1 glass of soy milk. 1 orange. Tea or coffee. Lunch: Green salad. Filet of sole with zucchini and carrots. Pineapple slices. The mid-afternoon snack is carrots. Supper: Green salad, chicken breast, broccoli, and cauliflower. 1 skim-milk yogurt.
Menu 2 Breakfast: 3 egg whites, a slice of bran bread, a tomato, a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice. Tea or coffee. Lunch: Grated carrots, mussels in garlic, and a green salad. The mid-afternoon snack consists of a half cantaloupe, 1 skim-milk yogurt, and 1 kiwi. Supper: Vegetarian chili and a baked apple.
Some information in this article comes from a fascinating new book, La Bible des Regimes, written by Jenny de Jonquieres and published by Amerik Media. Her book describes more than 80 diets and weight reduction programs. Each diet is presented with 5 menu plans, a detailed discussion of its advantages and disadvantages, and lots more. La Bible des Regimes is presently available only in French. For additional information consult the publisher's website www.amerik-media.com.
Author Resource:
Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, but prefers drinking fine French wine with the right foods. He teaches computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his Italian travel website www.travelitalytravel.com and his global wine website www.theworldwidewine.com with a weekly column reviewing $10 wines and new sections writing about and tasting organic and kosher wines.
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