The Pasta Diet centers around glucides that are mostly supplied by pasta. By following this diet you will eliminate fats and rapidly digested sugar from your plate. Instead you will place the focus on proteins and slowly digested sugar. You may lose up to 3 kilograms (6.5 pounds) a week. Here are some of the diet principles.
Eat complex glucides and fruits for breakfast. For example, eat bread or cereal and fruit. Add no sugar to your breakfast drink. For lunch eat a single dish and a piece of fruit or a dairy product. The selected dish may be pasta, soup, or salad. The portion size is small: we are talking about a 300-calorie soup, or a 600-calorie pasta or salad. Don't eat any bread but you may have a glass of wine. Your supper may consist of 30 to 40 grams (an ounce to an ounce and a third) of meat or 60 grams of a glucide-rich dish and a dairy product for supper. Consult documentation for additional information describing these two meals as the rules are fairly complicated. Exercise to reduce the risk of regaining lost weight and to keep your body in shape. You should shoot for three endurance sessions and three muscle-building sessions per week.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of this diet is the pasta. A disadvantage is the excessive glucides. Make sure to eat five servings of fruits or vegetables daily.
Here are two sample menus:
Menu 1
Breakfast: A large glass of partially skimmed milk. 30 grams of corn flakes. A glass of fruit juice. Tea or coffee.
Lunch: Gnocchi gratin with ginger and tomatoes. A light yogurt.
Supper: 150 grams of roast veal. 400 grams of carrots. A yogurt.
Menu 2
Breakfast: A poached egg. A slice of whole-grain bread. A yogurt. A glass of pure fruit juice. Tea or coffee.
Lunch: Linguini with sliced beef and onions. An apple.
Supper: 200 grams of salmon in foil. 500 grams of steamed endives and spinach. A light yogurt.
Some of the information in this article comes from a fascinating new book, La Bible des Regimes, written by Jenny de Jonquieres and published by Amerik Media. Her book describes over 80 diets and weight reduction programs. Each diet is presented with 5 menu plans, a detailed discussion of its advantages and disadvantages, and a whole lot more. La Bible des Regimes is presently available only in French.