What is a diet based on baby food?
Some dieters may eat several cans of baby food each day as a low-calorie snack, while others may replace one or two meals with baby food and consume up to 14 cans per day. While there is a good chance that you will be able to lose weight quickly on this diet, you will also miss out on important nutrients from other food groups.
The baby food diet is designed for a quick "cleanse" or "reset" rather than a long-term eating style. But like other cleansing or detox diets, it is not supported by science or health experts.
What the experts say
"By replacing meals with baby meals, people are promised rapid weight loss. However, it is difficult to meet the nutritional needs of eating mostly mashed potatoes. Experts agree that it is better to leave them for babies and focus on smaller portions of regular meals for sustained weight loss"
What can I eat?
Baby food includes cans of mashed fruit, vegetables, cereals, and even meat (but not baby food, which you can also find in the baby section of the grocery store). Plain black coffee, tea and water are also allowed .
According to baby food advocates and online reports, the initial meal plan involves eating 14 cans of baby food in puree form per day plus one regular "adult" meal per day for a total of three days. Over time, modifications have appeared, such as replacing several cans of mashed potatoes with just one meal, or even using them as low-calorie snacks.
In fact, the baby food diet is a low-calorie diet. Since the portions are the size of a child, most cans have no more than 100 calories, and many have much less. Although there is no salt or a large amount of fat in baby food, some may contain added sugar. Moreover, you are unlikely to get enough protein just from baby food. This means that in real dishes that are not related to baby food, you should focus on protein.
What you need to know
Baby food is usually not seasoned, so adding herbs and spices will make it more delicious. Proponents of this diet advise limiting the number of calories at about 500, which is very low for a single "adult" meal per day. It is important that this meal includes a large amount of protein, fiber, whole grains, and healthy fats to account for the nutrients that you do not get from pureed baby food.
For those with allergies or restrictions, it is relatively easy to follow baby food. In serving cans with baby food, all the ingredients are listed on the package, so you will not have any problems identifying the known pathogens of your allergy.
Depending on how strictly you follow the diet, you may start to feel dizzy during the day, as you are not getting enough calories. Switching from regular solid food to mashed potatoes is generally not safe unless you are under medical supervision. If you decide to stick to baby food, you should only do it for a short period of time to avoid nutritional deficiencies.
As with any low-calorie diet, it is often recommended to take a multivitamin to make up for the lack of micronutrients.
What to use
* Cans of mashed potatoes of all types of baby food, including fruits, vegetables and meat.
* 1-2 meals for adults, rich in nutrients, with an emphasis on protein and complex carbohydrates.
· Water, tea, coffee
What not to use
· All other products
* Limit or avoid alcohol consumption
If you decide to try baby food, consider replacing one meal a day with pureed baby food instead of two to get more calories and nutrients. However, this diet is not recommended as it can lead to nutritional deficiencies and create an unhealthy relationship with food.
If you are pregnant or have a medical condition such as diabetes, you should not try baby food. Some medications, such as insulin, can be dangerous if not taken with the proper amount of food.
Pros and cons
Positive
* Easy portion management
· Low in fat and calories
· Quick results
* Minimum cooking time required
Cons
* Unstable result in the long term
· Strict restrictions
· Not enough calories
* Low in protein and other nutrients
* More expensive than real, whole foods
There is some flexibility in the baby food diet. For example, if you plan to meet friends for lunch, you can always switch your regular meal to lunch and use baby food instead of dinner. You can also choose how many meals (or snacks) to replace with baby food. If you are traveling or on the road, you need to pack baby food in advance. Otherwise, the plan is quite simple.
Despite the convenience factor, a baby food diet is not a reasonable weight loss plan. Its restrictive nature creates a mindset of deprivation in relation to food. In addition, short-term use may contribute to some weight loss, but you are more likely to regain weight when you return to a normal diet.
In addition, if you consume 14 servings of baby food a day, you will have a lot of small glass jars or plastic containers that can be thrown away or recycled. Making your own baby food will reduce the amount of waste associated with this diet, but it's not realistic if you don't have much time. Daily consumption of 14 cans of pre-portioned baby food can also cost more.
Even one "adult" meal does not provide enough calories and nutrients to fully nourish your body, especially if you are physically active.
Is baby food a healthy choice?
The baby food diet does not meet the recommendations of experts on healthy eating for weight loss. Although you can find baby food from different food groups, the portions are too small for an adult.
Baby food twice a day plus one meal of 500 calories does not meet the recommended 2000-2500 calories for an adult per day.
Health benefits
Some proponents of baby food argue that baby food is healthier because it doesn't always contain any nutritional supplements. Baby food is generally low in fat and, with the exception of pureed fruits and some vegetables, may also be low in sugar. However, a baby food diet is not a sustainable weight loss plan.
It is much more useful to choose real "adult" food instead of pureed food intended for babies. You are more likely to be satisfied with fewer calories if you choose whole foods that are high in fiber and protein.
Health risk
Although there are no rigorous studies of the risks associated with a baby food diet, following a very low-calorie diet for an extended period of time can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Although the baby food diet is designed for the short term, studies of such trendy diets show that rapid weight loss is often not sustainable and that avoiding whole food groups can create unhealthy eating habits.
A healthy, balanced diet combined with regular exercise is one of the best ways to lose weight and maintain overall health.
Result
Baby food is a short-term weight loss plan that does not teach a balanced diet. While reducing your calorie intake is an effective strategy for rapid weight loss, you don't need to resort to soft baby food. Being able to read labels with calorie counts and nutritional values can help you develop a more sustainable and satisfying weight loss plan using foods that are suitable for adults.
Remember that following a long-term or short-term diet may not be necessary for you, and many diets just don't work, especially in the long run. While we don't endorse fad diets or unsustainable weight loss practices, we present the facts so you can make an informed decision that best suits your nutritional needs, genetics, budget, and goals.
The best diet is always the one that is balanced and fits your lifestyle.
