The Biggest Loser Diet, on the other hand, focuses on lower calories, less carbohydrates, and high protein. Along with a daily exercise routine, the Biggest Loser Diet, which was created by Michael Dansinger (MD), Cheryl Forberg (RD), Jillian Michaels, Bob Harper, and Maggie Greenwood-Robinson, creates a deficit in a person’s calorie intake, which successfully helps people lose weight.

The Workings of the Biggest Loser Diet

Following the food pyramid of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this diet program focuses on meal plans implementing:

• Fruit and Vegetables ——————– 4 Servings
• Whole Grains —————————– 2 Servings
• Protein 8 oz. ——————————- 3 Servings
• Forbidden Food 200 Calories ———- 1 Serving

Sticking to this strict diet regime for 12 weeks, dieters will start out with a daily calorie limit 7 times their current weight, and as they lose weight they decrease the amount of calories they can consume to avoid hitting plateaus. For example, a 200 pound person would start out consuming 1400 calories, and by the end of the program the individual may have lost 50 pounds and would consume a daily intake of 1,050 calories. To help with the hunger pains, the Biggest Loser Diet encourages eating every couple of hours to ensure a high metabolism rate and little temptation to stray from the diet.

Many people who try to lose weight end up on a yo-yo diet, which means they will struggle with their food intake and continually gain and lose weight. The Biggest Loser Diet follows a few simple guidelines to help dieters lose the weight and keep it off.

• First, eat a healthy breakfast consisting of fruits, a protein, and whole grain serving. These foods will jump start the body’s metabolism to break down nutrients and fats throughout the rest of the day.
• Second, always enjoy a fruit and/or vegetable with every meal. Your body breaks down fruits and vegetables easier and faster the starches and proteins.
• Third, introduce a protein serving to all meals and snacks. Protein is known for being food for the muscles.
  Fourth, stay active. Exercise 4 times a week but also go for a long walk every day to help keep the metabolism high and burn those unnecessary calories.
• Fifth, at the beginning of each week take time to plan your meals, snacks, and exercise routines. This way you will be less tempted to stray from the diet.

Exercising on the Biggest Loser Diet

As with every diet regime the Biggest Loser Diet requires the individual to exercise 40 – 90 minutes 4 times a week to balance out the daily calorie intake. Exercises, such as bicycling, jogging, or any other form of cardiovascular exercises, help the body burn calories and function more efficiently. Weight lifting is also a huge factor to help the dieter build muscle from excess amount of stored fat.

Pros

By eliminating refined sugars and processed foods Biggest Loser Diet reduces the cravings a typical person has every day. Fewer cravings equals less chances of walking away from the diet. Protein is added throughout the day to help keep the dieter’s blood sugar stabilized. Also, by emphasizing healthier food groups it includes fruits, carbs, and whole grains, which keeps the body functioning properly. Like other diet programs, this regime focuses on a healthy exercise routine, which promotes high energy burning levels.

Cons

When starting out this diet, individuals can have an unrealistic viewpoint on how much weight they will lose in a specific amount of time due to the fact that they cannot set aside the amount of time to exercise that they may need. Without being able to exercise as much, chances of plateauing increases; and discouragement can set in. Those who do lose the weight also lose lean body tissue due to the lower calorie intake, and without enough protein the body cannot change fat into muscle and the metabolism will slow. Also, a calorie intake less than 1200 calories can produce a nutrient deficiency, so implementing a daily regime of vitamin and mineral supplements can help keep the body functioning to the fullest.

Food for Thought

Choosing a diet regime to best fit your lifestyle can be extremely difficult, especially with how busy life can be. Remember, though, you need to choose a diet that can help your metabolism break down food easier, help your energy levels function better, and help you feel better about yourself overall. The Biggest Loser Diet successfully applies several different techniques to the daily lifestyle to help you reach your dietary goals.