What is that
What is the super metabolism diet?
Originally known as the "Fast Metabolism Diet", the super metabolism diet is a nutritional system aimed at body weight loss.
Invented by Haylie Pomroy (nutritionist), the super metabolism diet has become famous thanks to the TV presentation on programs such as Dr. Oz and Good Morning America, and the advertising of some celebrities (Rachel Welch, Robert Downey Jr., Jennifer Lopez, LLCool J and Cher).
According to Pomroy, the supermetabolism system lends itself not only to weight loss for aesthetic culture, but also to the nutritional therapy of subjects affected by chronic diseases and morbid obese.
On the diet of supermetabolism, Haylie Pomroy has written a book that has entered the circle of the "New York Times Bestsellers", also on sale in the Italian version "The Diet of Supermetabolism".
Disclaimer
The following is an excerpt from the hayliepomroy.com website. Therefore, the author of this article dissociates himself from all the statements reported by merely reporting what was disclosed by the official source. There will be a personal comment only in the concluding paragraph.
Principles
Principles of the supermetabolism diet
The super metabolism diet abolishes calorie counting, portion estimation, promises to eat abundantly and is based on the weekly rotation of a simple (but proven) pattern to trigger precise changes in the body: metabolic acceleration.
By super-activating the metabolism, reducing cortisol levels, keeping insulin concentrations low and practicing the right motor activity, it is possible to make the "man machine" work optimally, facilitating weight loss. It is not a simple theory without foundation, says Haylie Pomroy, but the result of many experiments.
Objective and Mechanisms
Goal of the supermetabolism diet
The main goal of the super metabolism diet is weight loss; in particular, Haylie Pomroy promises to be able to lose weight up to 20 pounds (about 9 kg) in just 28 days (less than a month). it depends so much on the reduction of general calories but rather on the increase in the general metabolic expenditure and on the modification of the hormonal structure of cortisol and insulin.
Physiological mechanisms of the supermetabolism diet
The physiological mechanisms underlying this strategy are:
- Calm the adrenal glands by reducing the secretion of cortisol (stress hormone)
- Limit insulin secretion
- Reduce the work of the liver
- Nourish the thyroid to produce the hormones T3 and T4 (essential for a fast metabolism)
- Increase basal energy consumption and that induced by motor exercise.
Method
Method of the diet of supermetabolism
The supermetabolism diet first of all suggests reducing psycho-physical stress, as the primary factor responsible for the visceral distribution of body fat.
The super metabolism diet is divided into 3 phases. Each of these involves the consumption of different foods, however healthy, all essential to achieve metabolic acceleration. It is also essential to follow a specific protocol of motor activity:
- Phase 1 (Monday - Tuesday): A lot of carbohydrates, especially from fruit. The objective of this phase is to “relax” the organism, that is to modify the constant attitude to accumulate fats in the adipose tissue as a form of defense against possible famine. Intense cardiovascular work is required, but only on one of the two days.
- Phase 2 (Wednesday - Thursday): Lots of protein foods and vegetables. Once relaxed, the body is ready to enter the optimal fat burning mode and to do this it is necessary to limit the intake of large quantities of lipids but also of carbohydrates. Motor activity focuses on muscle building and strength development. Let's not forget that muscle burns large amounts of fat, so the more muscle we have, the more fat we will be able to consume.
- Phase 3 (Friday - Saturday - Sunday): all the foods mentioned above, plus good quality fats and oils. This is the moment in which the metabolic increase takes place and, contrary to what one might think, in this phase it is advisable to practice quiet physical activity such as pilates or yoga; massage and meditation are also considered "physical exercises" suitable for third stage.
There is no rule regarding the number of meals and portions. The mantra of the super metabolism diet is "eat as much as you like", but only the specific foods for the phase and day in question.
The program should be repeated for about four weeks.
What to eat
Foods allowed in the super metabolism diet
Note: all dairy products are excluded. Furthermore, it is advisable to prefer organic foods, without preservatives and without added salt or sugar.
Basic fresh fruits and vegetables
Any seasonal fruit and vegetables: apples, oranges, lemons and limes, cabbage, carrots, celery, broccoli, cucumbers, kale, spinach, green or red peppers, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, yellow onions, garlic.
Grains and oil seeds
- Steel cut oat: it is a specially processed oat. Alternatively you can use the old-style laminated one
- Quinoa
- Brown rice
- Raw almonds
- Cashew nuts
- Walnuts
- No peanuts
- Raw sunflower seeds
Meat and fish
- Chicken and turkey: especially breast
- Beef
- Dried meat, elk and bison
- Canned tuna (in brine)
Egg
Eggs and egg whites: in phase 1 and phase 2 only egg whites are used; pasteurized one is fine too
Frozen foods
- Frozen berries
- Frozen shrimp
- All frozen fish
Condiments and canned foods
- Broth
- Canned or dried beans: Canned beans are convenient but may contain BPA. It is therefore preferable to choose dried beans
- Sea salt
- Balsamic vinegar
- Tamari
- Olive oil
Extra and pleasant
They are not necessary but they can be very welcome
- Almond milk or coconut milk
- Wholemeal and Whole Seed Bread: Can be used in Phase 1 and Phase 3
- Rice or quinoa pasta
- Turkey bacon
- Stevia or birch xylitol
Supplements
Do you need supplements to follow the super metabolism diet?
Sometimes, especially when the management of meals becomes impossible due to work commitments, to follow the super metabolism diet it is necessary to make use of products marketed with the aim of replacing meals. These are mainly powder supplements, even single doses, differentiated and specific for each phase of the diet.
Comment
Reflections on the supermetabolism diet
The supermetabolism diet is an approximate dietary method devoid of any scientific basis, especially as regards the metabolic-endocrine impact to which it refers.
As with most of the trendy diets, the problem of the Fast Metabolism Diet is not the slimming efficacy, however questionable, but the aspects of nutritional balance and dietary education.
This is not meant to say that the supermetabolism diet can harm health, but rather that the method seems to be based on conjectures that leave a lot of room for imagination and little for scientific experimentation.
To its advantage, the supermetabolism diet enjoys an "excellent opinion among those who have practiced it and have succeeded in its intent." The same cannot be said by people who, happy to have known yoga, pilates and meditation, still have not reached the set goal. The main cause of the failures is mainly attributable to the concept of: "eat as much as you want, but only foods relevant to the phase or day in question. ”Without a portion guideline it is completely impossible, especially for those who tend to routinely overeat, to assess how many foods to consume.These subjects, for psychological or behavioral reasons, are unable to recognize satiety and usually only know the feeling of fullness.
This system should therefore try first of all to give more space to research, to optimize its balance and effectiveness, and less importance to media advertising.