Thought Pie: Flat Belly Diet - Day 1

Yes...I've embarked on yet another (and probably temporary) diet plan. This time, it's the Flat Belly Diet.

I discovered this diet plan through the book "The Flat Belly Diet" which was sent to my mother from a well-meaning friend. The crux of this diet plan is that you need to have a MUFA (mono-unsaturated fatty acid) with every meal. What is a MUFA you ask? Well, it is the "good fat" that comes in the form of oils, avacados, olives, chocolate and nuts.

I'll let the experts tell you more:

"According to the authors, the secret ingredient in the Flat Belly Diet that whittles away belly fat is the addition of a monounsaturated fat, or MUFA, at every meal. MUFAs are found in olives, avocados, nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, soybean, flax, and olive and sunflower oils.

"Research shows that MUFAs have health benefits and target belly fat. They also help control satiety, so by adding in one MUFA at meals and snacks it is easier to stick with the plan and lose belly fat," explains co-author Sass.

Before starting on the 28-day plan, dieters go on a 1,200- to 1400-calorie, four-day anti-bloat jump-start period designed to reduce bloating and get dieters in the mind-set of a healthier eating plan. During the jump-start, dieters drink 2 liters of daily "sassy water," a blend of spices, herbs, citrus, and cucumber. "We tested the diet plan on 11 volunteers and they told us the flavored water reduced bloating, constipation, helped them feel better and get rid of that sluggish feeling," explains Sass.

There's a lot of girlfriend-sounding advice from journalist Vaccariello, who is not a medical professional, along with more credible "notes from our nutritionist" that feature registered dietitian Sass. Success stories of the 11-member test panel are sprinkled throughout the book.

Exercise is optional but encouraged. An entire chapter is devoted to the flat belly workout with diagrams of exercises, walking plans, and a 28-day workout plan." (source: WebMD)

So, basically I'm starving right now and will continue to be starving for the next 32 days. I've read several articles (such as the WebMD article above) that say this diet plan is a sham and that it's nothing more than portion control and a Mediterranean diet - which is what most diet plans recommend. I haven't had much luck in dieting, as I really like to snack - though not necessarily on bad foods. I also could probably see similar results if I just got up off my lazy ass and went to the gym.

We'll see how it goes. Meanwhile, I'm starving.