The latest diet to create a big buzz in the wellness world is the cereal diet. This meal plan includes replacing two meals in the day with milk and cereal.It is also a rich source of fibre and whole grains.
The “Special K Challenge" is the reason it became so famous.On this diet, you consume only cereal and milk for breakfast and lunch. Meanwhile, your dinner and snacks should be low in calories and should include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. People who follow this diet generally consumed about 1,200–1,500 calories a day. Of course, the calories you consume depends on the kind of cereal you are eating, as well as how much of it you are eating.
For some, this diet is great to try if your weight loss goals are short-term.However, this is largely due to the calorie restriction that diet involves. A study that included 24 participants found they reduce their calorie intake by 600 calories a day on this diet. The group lost a lot of weight and fat mass. One study claims calorie restriction can help you live longer because of increasing levels of ketone bodies. "Many ageing-induced changes, such as the incidence of malignancies in mice, the increases in blood glucose and insulin caused by insulin resistance, and muscular weakness have been shown to be decreased by the metabolism of ketone bodies, a normal metabolite produced from fatty acids by liver during periods of prolonged fasting or caloric restriction," authors of the study stated.
However, weight loss is not the only benefit when it comes to this diet. You can increase the amount of fibre you consume and also improve your health by consuming whole-grain cereals. Researchers have found consuming every 28 grams of whole grains daily reduced the risk of premature death by 9 per cent and reduced the risk of death from a heart attack by 14 per cent.
However, like any diet, the cereal diet also has its cons. The cereal you choose to consume may be high in sugar, which can cause health issues. Being on a very strict diet long-term can also hamper your weight loss goals. That is why it is important to consult with a nutritionist before trying a new diet. This way you will know if it can work for you.
