Copenhagen diet plan. Is it safe?
In recent years, a weight loss method called Copenhagen Diet Plan became quite a buzz online. Many people follow and claim that they can lose up to 22lbs in just 13 days.
In the process of implementing the Copenhagen diet, two groups of people hold completely opposed ideas. One party believed that it really works after 13 days and you can see visible result right away. The other party gives a warning that the faster you reduce, the greater side effects it has. In this article, we are in favor of the second.
The “Copenhagen diet plan”, also known as “Danish Diet Plan”, is a 13-day eating plan that promises massive weight loss between 10 to 20 pounds or more. During this period, your diet will be severely restricted like when you feel hungry, the only thing you can do is drinking water.
How does the 13-day eating plan work?
1st Day
Breakfast: Coffee with a single cube of sugar
Lunch: Spinach (cooked, unlimited), coupled with two hard-boiled eggs and a tomato
Dinner: 200g steak (any kind, grilled), with green salad, lemon juice and oil (unlimited)
2nd Day
Breakfast: Coffee with single cube of sugar
Lunch: 200g of ham with 200g of low-fat yoghurt
Dinner: 200g of beef (roast) with green salad, lemon juice and oil
3rd Day
Breakfast: Coffee with a single cube of sugar and a slice of plain toast
Lunch: 1 slice of ham, with 1 cup of lettuce and 2 hard-boiled eggs
Dinner: 1 tomato, with 1 piece of boiled celery and 1 piece of fruit (your choice)
4th Day
Breakfast: Coffee with a single cube of sugar and a slice of plain toast
Lunch: 200ml of any fruit juice (freshly squeezed or all natural) with 200g low-fat yoghurt
Dinner: 200g of cheese with 1 hard-boiled egg and a carrot
5th Day
Breakfast: 1 carrot with lemon juice
Lunch: 200g of cod with button (1 spoon) and lemon juice
Dinner: 200g of beef, with green salad, lemon juice and oil
6th Day
Breakfast: Coffee with a single cube of sugar and a slice of plain toast
Lunch: 2 eggs with a carrot
Dinner: 300g of chicken (boiled) with green salad, lemon juice and oil
7th Day
Breakfast: a cup of tea (with no sugar)
Lunch: Water only
Dinner: 200g of lamb (grilled) with one apple
8th Day
Breakfast: Coffee with a single cube of sugar
Lunch: 400g of spinach, coupled with two hard-boiled eggs and a tomato
Dinner: 200g of beef (roast) with green salad, lemon juice and oil
9th Day
Breakfast: Coffee with a single cube of sugar
Lunch: 200g of ham with 200g of yoghurt
Dinner: 200g of beef with green salad, lemon juice and oil
10th Day
Breakfast: coffee with a single cube of sugar with a plain slice of toast
Lunch: 1 slice of ham with a cup of lettuce and two hard-boiled eggs
Dinner: 1 tomato, with 1 piece of boiled celery and 1 piece of fruit (your choice)
11th Day
Breakfast: Coffee with a single cube of sugar with a plain slice of toast
Lunch: 200 ml of fruit juice with 200g of yoghurt
Dinner: 200g of cheese with 1 boiled egg and 1 carrot
12th Day
Breakfast: 1 carrot
Lunch: 200g of boiled cod with lemon juice and butter (one spoon)
Dinner: 200g of beef with celery and butter (low-fat)
13th Day
Breakfast: coffee with a single cube of sugar with a plain slice of toast
Lunch: 2 boiled eggs with a carrot
Dinner: None
As we all know, the principle of weight loss is very simple. You just make sure that your daily intake of energy is less than the energy consumed. During the 13-day eating plan, the average daily intake of calories is only about 600kcal which is far less than 2250kcal and 1800kcal an individual male and female should take per day. However, if your daily caloric intake is always far below your basal metabolic rate in the long run, it can not only hinder your way of weight loss but also lead to other physical problems such as kidney problems and bowel impaction due to a lack of fruits, whole grains and dairy.
Side effects of Copenhagen diet plan
Metabolic damage is metabolic slowing after dieting. When you start eating less, your metabolism slows down. Thus, your resting metabolic rate decreases because your body doesn’t expend as much energy for all the basal tasks you need to live. As soon as you start eating normally again, the lost weight will go back on and it will become even harder to drop it.
Because this diet cuts certain food groups, you may suffer from vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and the diet may poorly affect your cholesterol. Also, the lack of glycogen will lead to bad breath, irritability, dizziness and other physical problems.
A seriously inadequate intake of carbohydrates can make your body using some of your stored fat for energy. Although protein won’t become the main fuel for your body, you will start using protein for at least some of your energy needs as soon as your glycogen stores are gone. Your body needs to break down muscle to get all the necessary components to provide energy for your body.
Don’t be fooled by the weight scale figures. Study found that in fact, if a person lost up to 12 lbs after the diet plan, much of it is water instead of body fat. Therefore, the diet is NOT a healthy way to lose weight and will not ensure you keep it off long-term.
In order to lose weight healthily you should change to a balanced diet, take regular exercise and speak to your doctor. If there is an urgent need to reduce weight in a short term, consult a dietitian to adjust your diet plans based on your physical condition.
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