More and more new diets come up regularly and one of them that caught the internet up was the SIRT food diet. It has become a favorite diet for celebrities, and it allows the consumption of chocolate and red wine, which makes it a hot pick for people. The diet was said to promote weight loss and prevent disease while allowing the consumption of red wine and chocolate.
Its creator insists that this diet is not a fad diet but is the secret to unlocking fat loss and preventing diseases. But experts warn that it may not be as it is hyped.
Here we would explain some questions like:
What is the SIRT diet?
Is the SIRT diet safe?
How is the SIRT diet used?
So what is the SIRT diet?
The SIRT diet was explained in a book written by Aidan Goggins and Glen Matten titled The SIRT food diet. It was claimed that people who followed this diet Lost up to seven pounds in seven days by consuming foods that were rich in Sirtuins(SIRTs). Sirtuins are a group of seven proteins which is associated with the aging process, reduction of inflammation, and regulation of metabolism among several other health benefits.
They are mainly plant-based, antioxidant-rich food like dark chocolates, strawberries, red wine and so much more. It’s a calorie-restricted diet and there is a lack of evidence supporting the SIRT food diet to back it up.
Foods to eat on the SIRT diet.
This list is an example of some of the most popular SIRT diet foods.
- Kale
- Red wine
- Strawberries
- Onions
- Soy
- Parsley
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Dark chocolate (85% cocoa)
- Matcha green tea
- Lovage
- Medjool dates
- Red chicory
- Buckwheat
- Turmeric
- Walnuts
- Arugula (rocket)
- Bird’s eye chili
- Blueberries
- Capers
- Coffee
Is the diet safe?
Studies have concluded that the diet is a fad diet as it promises fast weight loss within a short period. It truly reduces weight, but that is because of the low-calorie intake while following this diet. Its foods are high in nutrients but eating just some particular healthy foods won’t meet your body’s nutritional needs.
Is the SIRT diet as effective as it claims to be?
The diet also promises to activate your skinny gene. Experts have warned that such claims made by any diet should be red-flagged. Foods in the diet are known to supply several health benefits. There have been some studies which were conducted by the author on about 39 participants in their fitness center.
The participants followed the diet for a week with daily exercise. At the end of the week, they lost an average of about 7 pounds and kept or gained more muscle mass.
Although this study doesn’t seem to have been published elsewhere to know if it’s real. It’s also expensive and unrealistic following it in a long term.
The first phase of the diet plan is very low in calories for people. This plan isn’t suitable for people with a history of disordered eating.
Sirtuins are a group of seven proteins found in the body which has been shown to regulate metabolism and stress response and they also play important roles in longevity and management of diseases. Studies have only been made only in mice and human cells lined and they showed positive results. There have been no human studies to examine the effects of an increase in Sirtuins levels.
How to follow the SIRT diet.
The diet had 2 phases which last for about 3 weeks. After the 3 weeks, you can complete the program if you like at once or modify it to add sort foods into your diet without calorie restrictions. There are sirtfoods recipe books that are available for purchase if you intend on following the diet properly.
Phase 1
The first phase should last a week and there are restrictions on calories to help you start the weight loss. This involves calorie restrictions and consumption of lots of green juices which are designed to make you lose seven pounds In seven days. During the first three days while on phase 1, your calorie intake is restricted to 1000 calories. You are to drink three green juices per day plus one Meal. There are recipe books which involve SIRT foods which you can pick.
On the 4-7 days of phase one, your calorie intake is increased to 1500. Two green juices per day and two more SIRT foods rich meals are to be taken.
An example of a 7-day sirt food diet plan on phase 1
Day 1: Three green drinks and a meal that’s high in sirtfoods, like lentil soup with turmeric.
Day 2: Three green drinks and a meal that’s high in sirtfoods, like cooked buckwheat with walnuts.
Day 3: Three green drinks and a meal that’s high in sirtfoods, like kale and strawberry salad with extra virgin olive oil.
Day 4: Two green drinks and two meals high in sirtfoods, like arugula salad with chicken, blueberries, and olive oil; lentil soup with turmeric, red wine.
Day 5: Two green drinks and two meals that are high in sirtfoods, such as salmon with kale and walnuts; buckwheat with tofu and parsley, dark chocolate.
Day 6: Two green drinks and two meals that are high in sirtfoods, such as black bean soup with cilantro; buckwheat pasta with chicken and kale, red wine.
Day 7: Two green drinks and two meals that are high in sirtfoods, such as whole-grain toast with almond butter and strawberries; salmon, capers, parsley, and buckwheat salad, dark chocolate
Phase 2
This phase lasts for two weeks. This period is referred to as the maintenance phase. You should steadily lose weight during this phase and there’s no calorie limit. You are expected to consume three SIRT foods rich meal from the recipe books, and one green juice per day.
What is next?
After the diet, you may want to repeat the two phases for further weight loss if you intend. But It’s best recommended to add SIRT foods to your normal diets regularly. You are also encouraged to continue drinking green juices daily. Before starting any diet, it’s best to consult your health care provider first or a dietician especially when you have a health condition.
It is also best to know that if you want to lose weight healthily, a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle should be the aim and not some trending diets. The SIRT food diet helps to lose weight but it is because of its low-calorie intake and this is a major problem as some nutrients will be missing in the body.
Consuming 1000 calories or even 1500 calories a day can be so restricting to some people. Green juices are healthy as they provide vitamins and minerals, but they contain sugar and have almost none of the healthy fiber which are present in fruits and vegetables. We would advise that if you plan to lose weight, you should do it in a healthy manner and not just use a fad diet.
To learn about calorie counting check out this post.
