EASILY LOSE 10LBS IN 10 DAYS

Breakfast

5 'snax' biscuits (dry crackers)

1 slice of cheddar cheese

1 small apple

1 cup black tea/coffee/water

Lunch

1 boiled egg

1 slice of dry toast

1 cup black tea/coffee/water

Dinner

1 cup of tuna

1 cup of beetroot

1 cup of cauliflower

1/2 melon

1/2 cup of diet vanilla ice-cream

1 cup black tea/coffee/water

This diet must be followed exactly, no substituting or varying of ingredients! The diet works on a chemical breakdown (you will pass lots of urine!) And you could lose 10lbs in 10 days. Salt and pepper can be used but no other seasonings. This diet should be used 3 days at a time, after three days you can eat normally but don't overeat. You can drink unlimited water during the diet.

The British Heart Foundation diet is a very low calorie diet (approx. 700 calories per day), and is to be used for only 3 days at a time. It is unsustainable in the long term and would be injurious to your health. The meal plan should not be undertaken for any length of time without medical supervision. This diet is not recommended and is not endorsed by the BHF. It's origins are unknown and I would recommend that if anyone gives you a copy of this diet you make them aware that it is absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the British Heart Foundation.

It is not specifically a weight reduction diet; rather a heart health diet. However; if you are eating a very unhealthy diet full of fat and junk food you will find that you lose weight if you follow their recommendations.

What is a Healthy Diet?

Fruit is part of a healthy diet. A healthy diet can help to reduce the risk of developing heart disease. If you already have coronary heart disease, eating a well balanced diet can also help protect your heart from further problems. Eating healthily can help protect your heart in the following ways:

1. help maintain a healthy weight
2. help lower your blood cholesterol level * help keep your blood pressure down
3. help prevent atheroma (fatty material) from building up inside your arteries
4. help prevent blood clots forming.

Eating a well balanced diet can help you improve your general health and can help protect against other conditions such as some cancers and diabetes. A healthy diet contains plenty of fruit and vegetables and starchy foods such as wholegrain bread, pasta and rice; and is low in fat (especially saturated fat), salt and sugar.

Fruit and vegetables

There is good evidence that eating a diet that is rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables can help to lower the risk of coronary heart disease. Aim to eat at least 5 portions each day. They can be fresh, frozen, dried or tinned.

Fats

Too much fat in your diet particularly saturated fat, can increase your blood cholesterol levels which can increase your risk of developing coronary heart disease. To help reduce your cholesterol level you should cut down on the total amount of fat you eat and replace saturated fats with monounsaturates and polyunsaturates and cut down on foods containing trans fats.

Oily fish

Eating oily fish regularly can help to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and may help improve the chances of survival after a heart attack. Aim to eat at least two portions of fish a week one of which should be oily.

Salt

Reducing the amount of salt you eat will help keep your blood pressure down and may reduce your risk of coronary heart disease.

Alcohol

Too much alcohol can damage the heart muscle, increase blood pressure and may also lead to weight gain.

Of course you can follow the 3 day eating plan if you like as an emergency measure and you will certainly lose weight but it will be all water. The moment you start eating normally again you will put all the weight back on. However, if you have an occasion to attend and you desperately need to shed a few pounds in a few days it may be worth considering.

© Susan Bailey 2008 All Rights Reserved