“Man is not a steam engine”. An expert criticized kefir diet and calorie counting

Catherine

blogger

Last year I thought about losing weight, tried to stick to a healthy diet, looked on the Internet different recipes. I chose the kefir diet. The essence was that 5-7 days I ate only buckwheat, drank kefir (1%) and water, and nothing else.

The result was for a short time: I lost 2-3 kg and immediately ate everything. Every time I had a breakdown and gained weight. I decided that I needed more training in the gym and definitely under the supervision of a trainer.

When I came to the first training session, my weight was 70 kg. Before the session I was asked to send how I eat during the day. The trainer adjusted the menu, suggested substitutions for the foods I don’t eat. He recommended what I could eat from the healthy, if I had to have a snack somewhere “on the run”. It was difficult to get used to eating a balanced diet. There were times when I really wanted to eat. But it was interesting to see what would come out of it.

After a month of training I saw the result! This motivated me not to stop. After five months I lost 5 kg. My body was changing, I noticed it in my clothes. Now a lot of things have become big. It is very happy, I want to keep in shape. Fitness has drawn me in, I like to work out with a trainer. My diet has become varied, and I don’t sit on any diets anymore.

Coach’s opinion

personal trainer at Zebra fitness club

At the first meeting with clients it is often found out that the diet has a lot of fats, carbohydrates, little protein, lack of salads, the presence of junk food, convenience foods and confectionery. We agree with the mentees to take pictures of everything they eat during the day. We have to call each other: I explain how much fat, protein and carbohydrates should be on the menu. We create a balance. After 2-3 weeks, people themselves understand what they need to eat. I tell them why it is this way and not the other way around.

As a rule, within two weeks the client begins to realize that he controls his nutrition. He is used to it, it becomes much easier for him. You advise where to add and where to cut back. If everything works out, the weight goes down. Then we are on the right track, we do not change the calorie.

I don’t ask you to count calories and weigh yourself. Specifically with Catherine, the weight has not gone down much, but she has lost a lot of volume. It makes sense – fat is bigger than muscle. You can look very different at the same weight.

If the kilograms do not go away for more than three weeks, then I ask you to reduce carbohydrates, do not touch proteins and fats. Just a little bit, so there’s no sudden changes. This way the client will not break down. If the weight stays even with the right actions, we change tactics. We start counting calories, speed up the metabolism, change the calorie intake so that the body gets used to a higher calorie intake. Here a person has more muscle tissue, and he will not gain weight. For 1-1.5 months we increase the calorie intake, and later we start to reduce it at the expense of carbohydrates. By such “swings” we bring him to the position he needs.

Why didn’t the client’s diet work? The person consumes only kefir (1%), water and steamed buckwheat. Nothing else. Such a diet lasts for 5-7 days. A person loses weight, but at the expense of muscle tissue, glycogen and fat. Feelings are not very good: all the time weakness, lethargy. When leaving the program, the weight returns and even increases. Which was the case with Catherine.

Doctor’s opinion

nutritionist, gastroenterologist, candidate of medical sciences

In general, the idea of photographing all the dishes that a person consumes is a very scary technique. It can lead to an eating disorder. I am against such manipulations, we need awareness. The desire to eat right should not be supported by the fear of punishment or censure.

Calorie counting, despite the proven results, is not a priority for me as a nutritionist. Human beings are not vapor machines. Everyone’s caloric intake will be different.

Reducing fat is irrational. Eliminate trans fats, cut back on simple carbohydrates, and tailor nutrition to the right person. I’m a stickler for individualized nutrition – tailored to the needs of a particular body.

Kefir diet, as well as all mono-diets that reduce the diet and the amount of nutrients, can lead to a lack of necessary substances. Also drive the body into stress. After returning to the usual diet, weight will be gained with greater intensity.

Moreover, kefir is a specific product, not suitable for everyone. It contains milk sugar and casein. They are allergens.