Diet Programs And Meals - The Montignac Diet by Levi Reiss

The Montignac Diet was invented in the 1990s by Michel Montignac, a pharmaceutical industry executive. In addition to helping you lose weight, this diet has the goal of improving your pancreatic health but to do so you must follow it for at least two months. The initial phase is dedicated to losing weight and is followed until you reach your desired weight. The longer this phase lasts, the better off you will be. The following phase is devoted to stabilization; it may last the rest of your life. Here are some of the diet principles.

During Phase 1 stop eating several foods. These include sugar, bread, glucides such as potatoes and processed rice, alcohol, and drinks other than fresh fruit juice, skim milk, and decaffeinated coffee. Eat as little fruit as possible and eat it only before breakfast or late at night. Add fiber to your breakfast. Eat a balanced lunch that includes vegetables, animal proteins, and cheese. Supper should be based on lipids and fibers. Start with vegetable soup. Try not to eat meat except for poultry. Eat a glucide-rich supper three times a week. During Phase 2 you may add certain items to your diet. Fruit mousse, chocolate mousse, and ice cream are acceptable as are red fruits. Don't eat cake or pastry because they contain bad glucides. Red wine is allowed, but must be drunk after the entree.

The Montignac Diet may have a favorable effect on those suffering from hypoglycemia by suppressing the production of excess insulin and thus stabilizing the level of blood sugar. Advantages of this diet are the general lack of hunger and its ease to apply. It can be unpleasant for those with a sweet tooth.

Here are two sample menus:

Menu 1 (Phase 1)

Breakfast: A bowl of oatmeal. A bowl of skim milk. Decaffeinated coffee.

Lunch: A plate of ham. Grilled salmon. A plate of zucchini. A yogurt.

Supper: Onion soup. A herb omelet. Green salad. A slice of mimolette cheese.

Menu 2 (Phase 2)

Breakfast: An orange. Two slices of whole-grain bread with margarine. Decaffeinated coffee.

Lunch: Avocado with dressing. Chicken. A plate of ratatouille. A chocolate mousse.

Supper: Cabbage soup. A mushroom omelet. A green salad. A yogurt.

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 over 80 diets and weight reduction programs. Each diet is presented with 5 menu plans, a detailed discussion of its advantages and disadvantages, and a whole lot more. La Bible des Regimes is available only in French at present.