Introduction
General Motors diet, also referred to as the GM diet or miracle diet, is basically a seven-day diet plan to lose a significant amount of weight in a short time span. GM diet includes only certain types of food or specific food groups, which facilitates fat burn and stimulates weight loss. According to many followers of the GM diet, about 10 to 17 pounds of weight can be reduced in one week. However, it is a strict and intense diet that is extremely low in nutrients and lacks adequate scientific evidence.
What Is a GM Diet?
GM diet is called so because it was formulated for the employees of General Motors in 1985 to support them in losing weight. It is quite a popular yet controversial weight loss regimen that is not supported by scientific evidence and, hence, is considered an unhealthy way to lose weight. This diet is a seven-day regimen that includes low-calorie fruits and vegetables to facilitate quick loss.
How Is GM Diet Followed?
GM diet is a seven-day regimen with different rules for each day:
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Day 1 - Only fruits are to be consumed; there is no exact quantity as such. But bananas are not included. Melons are mostly recommended as they have more water content.
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Day 2 - Raw or cooked vegetables must be consumed on day 2, with no specific quantity, and potatoes must be limited only to breakfast.
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Day 3 - Any fruits and vegetables except bananas and potatoes can be eaten with no specified quantity.
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Day 4 - Only bananas and milk must be consumed; up to eight small bananas or six large ones and three glasses of skimmed milk are preferred.
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Day 5 - Two portions of 284 gms of chicken, beef, or fish can be eaten, along with tomatoes. Meat can be replaced with brown rice and cottage cheese. Water intake must be increased by two more glasses to facilitate the flushing of extra uric acid.
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Day 6 - Two portions of 284 gms of chicken, beef, or fish can be eaten; any vegetables can be included, with no limitations, but bananas must be excluded. Increasing the water intake can help flush out toxins.
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Day 7 - Fruit juice, fruits, and a mix of vegetables can be consumed along with brown rice; however, there is no specific quantity of any of these foods.
What Can Be Included in the GM Diet?
It is recommended that individuals following the GM diet must increase their water intake by at least eight to 12 glasses per day. Fruits such as oranges, apples, and berries or vegetables such as carrots, spinach, and broccoli can be had as snacks in between. Coffee and green tea can be taken but without the addition of sugar. Dairy milk can be substituted for soy milk. Beans are recommended recently in this diet plan as they are rich in calories. Vegetable soup made of tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, cabbage, and celery can be taken each day. Exercises are not recommended for the first three days; however, walking, low-intensity cardio workouts, or yoga can be done, but it is optional. After completing the GM diet, a low-carbohydrate diet and a high-protein diet are recommended to maintain the weight loss.
What Are the Benefits of a GM Diet?
Adequate studies have not been conducted about the GM diet, but there is some information on certain aspects. The benefits are very superficial, and hence, people must adopt evidence-based diet plans and exercises to lose weight and improve their overall health.
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GM diet encourages people to consume more natural and wholesome foods such as vegetables and fruits, which are healthy and less in calories. Coffee and green tea can be taken without added sugars or any sweeteners, therefore stimulating weight loss.
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It detoxifies the body as it includes foods with high water content and facilitates better digestion and metabolism.
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It improves skin health and appearance and also enhances mood.
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GM does not include refined carbohydrates or added sugars, dietary fats such as oils or butter, and beverages such as alcohol, aerated drinks, desserts, and processed foods. Therefore, it reduces the overall daily calorie intake.
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Fruits and vegetables are the major constituents of this diet, which suppress fat accumulation in the body because they are rich in fiber, low in calories, and make people feel fuller for a longer time.
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It helps to treat conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation.
What Are the Drawbacks of the GM Diet?
GM diet can be appealing to many people because of the significant weight loss it offers within a short period, but there are certain drawbacks, which include;
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Food grains such as rice, wheat, oats, or other cereals or legumes, nuts, and seeds are not included in this diet except for brown rice on day five and day seven for vegetarians.
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There is no reliable information to evaluate the results of the GM diet; however, weight loss can be attributed to strict calorie restrictions.
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GM diet is not a balanced diet and lacks vital nutrients, thus can cause nutritional deficiencies.
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It is a short-term weight loss plan, and hence, the individual can regain the weight once it is discontinued.
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Healthcare professionals and nutritionists do not recommend this diet as it lacks scientific evidence and poses health risks.
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This diet can be risky for individuals with medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or gastrointestinal disorders.
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GM diet can cause weakness, fatigue, dehydration, headache, and poor performance in physical activities. It can also cause side effects such as muscle loss and slow metabolism.
Conclusion
GM diet emphasizes good eating habits by avoiding processed and junk foods. However, it is always preferred to consume a balanced diet, including various fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, and do regular exercises to maintain overall health and well-being. Crash diets or fad diets such as GM diets do not provide long-term results and also have potential health risks. Therefore, before beginning any weight loss program, a healthcare professional or a certified nutritionist must be consulted for a safe and personalized diet plan.
