Go green with Ornish diet!
Developed by Dr, Dean Ornish, this diet plan was originally used as a regime for reversing Heart problems, though it has become popular as a weight loss plan, these days.
Ornish is a well acclaimed doctor who could bring about the reversal of blockages of the heart, without surgery or medications- a rare feat once thought improbable. The strict vegetarian diet plan of
Ornish diet is monopolized by low-fat and high fiber foods like legumes.Ornish diet imposes stringent regulations on all food items that might contain more cholesterol and saturated fat than the recommended quantity. Meat and fish are strictly prohibited while non fat diary produce such as egg whites could be used in restricted quantities. The
Ornish diet underscores the inclusion of complex carbs such as grains and does not encourage the inclusion of simple carbs like honey or sugar.
The Ornish
diet is not free from disagreements as it totally excludes fish and nuts, which are generally thought to be safe for heart; though fish is completely cut out from its plan, it promotes the intake of Omega-3 isolated fish oil to ensure the requisite fat supply.
The major chunk of
Ornish diet is made up carbohydrates (70%) to be followed by 20% protein and then fat (10%) as against the general American diet make up of 45% fat, 25% protein and 30% carbohydrates, with an intake of over 500 mg of cholesterol every day! He also recommends exercise and stress-management techniques like meditation or yoga along with this diet plan for faster results. As you see
Ornish diet is not just a diet plan but a holistic approach towards a healthy body and mind.
Ornish classifies the foods into three categories of those that should be eaten always, at some times and that should not be eaten at all. Beans and legumes, grains, vegetables and all types of fruits fall under the first category, which could be eaten whenever you are hungry. While non fat dairy products such as nonfat yogurt, nonfat sour cream, or egg whites and fat free desserts could be eaten at some times; meats of all types of oils, nuts, sugar, alcohol or any preparation with more than 2 grams of fat per serving should be dropped right away!
Ornish recommends eating multiple small meals as these fills you faster without pumping up the calories.
The Ornish program offers you useful tips to ensure sufficient supply of proteins exclusively from a
vegetable diet. A combination of rice and beans, tofu and rice and baked beans and wheat bread among others are suggested for the daily menu. There is no restriction on the quantity of food and you can eat as much food as you like as long as the golden rule of 10%-of-calories-from-fat is followed apart from eating only the permitted food stuffs.
Ornish diet plan is difficult to follow as it has strict guidelines on the approved food items; still if you are the game for it, set out on an
Ornish diet plan and see the change yourselves.
