Protein-carbohydrate alternation for quick weight loss. Protein-carbohydrate alternation: menu for every day

Carbohydrate rotation diet

For a long time it was believed that excess weight appears with increased consumption of fat in the usual diet. However, if we take a closer look at our food, the fat content in it is not that high, so all the popular low-lipid diets turned out to be ineffective and useless. In addition, if the body receives less fat and calories, then the body goes into emergency storage mode for a rainy day, so instead of losing weight, we again and again get extra pounds on our sides.

As it turned out, the cause of weight gain is fast and unbroken slow carbohydrates, which were not spent on energy during the day and were simply deposited in the body “until needed.” For a person with a measured life, this very “demand” may not come, so the “storage chamber” for excess carbohydrates is replenished and replenished. This is especially noticeable when a person eats carbohydrates right before bed - the body goes into slow digestion mode, which is why energy is not broken down and substances simply accumulate.

A modern approach to weight loss has become the carbohydrate alternation diet (popularly the zigzag diet), which is aimed at changing the daily carbohydrate content in the menu, which does not allow metabolism to slow down.

The essence of the carbohydrate alternation diet, rules and advantages

A unique diet was once developed by the German nutritionist and specialist Karl Noorden. At one time, it was a specialized program for bodybuilders and athletes, which allowed them to dry their bodies without depleting muscle fibers. In addition, a special menu filled the body with a solid portion of energy and vigor.

Over time, the diet has been redesigned, which allows ordinary people to lose weight on it.

The essence of the diet is that every day we alternate the amount of carbohydrates consumed. At the beginning of the cycle, their volume decreases sharply, in the middle it rapidly rises, and at the end it balances out. This type of nutrition allows you to deceive your metabolism, forcing it to always work in emergency processing mode and not switch to accumulation.

How does the diet work? We choose the optimal course duration for ourselves (from a month to two) and distribute the days into cycles of 4 days. The first couple of days we eat food low in carbohydrates, on the third day, on the contrary, we load the body with them, limiting the consumption of proteins. The last 4th day of the cycle we balance the consumption of carbohydrates and proteins.

In the first days of the diet, the body depletes energy reserves and begins to burn fat deposits. If you extend the emergency situation for a few more days, the “cunning” metabolism can adapt to stress and begin to accumulate fat again, knowing that you will continue to starve, while it will not spare muscle fibers and will waste it on the necessary energy. Therefore, carbohydrate fasting should not last more than 2 days. Then we load the body with carbohydrates again, without increasing the caloric content of the diet (we reduce the consumption of proteins and fats). And to activate stable weight loss, we slightly reduce the amount of carbohydrates on day 4.

Rules for carbohydrate rotation:

  • strict adherence to the carbohydrate consumption pattern without disruptions or indulgences;
  • absence of night trips to the refrigerator, fasting and overeating - every day the body must receive the amount of substances necessary for normal functioning;
  • an increase in carbohydrates in the diet entails a decrease in proteins and lipids, and vice versa, for other days;
  • the entire daily food intake is divided into 4-6 small snacks;
  • Active physical activity and sports training are required at least 3 times a week;
  • During the diet, it is very important to maintain water balance in the body by consuming at least 2 liters of healthy liquid (preferably regular still and unsalted water);
  • no fried or smoked foods - all food must undergo minimal heat treatment;
  • we reduce fat consumption, so we refuse animal oils, fatty meats, gravy, mayonnaise, dressings, confectionery;
  • During a diet, healthy sleep is important;
  • the duration of the diet is arbitrary, but nutritionists recommend following the course for no more than 1-2 months, since the effectiveness of the technique decreases after the first month;
  • carbohydrates are the main component of the diet, so we focus on slow (complex) ones, since they take longer to digest and are stored worse.

Pros of carbohydrate cycling:

  • no need to count calories;
  • the diet is effective - in the first month you can lose up to 10 kg of excess weight, not only liquid, but also fat;
  • the diet combines perfectly with training and prevents muscles from being broken down along with fat;
  • the carbohydrate diet is quite satisfying and varied, which reduces the likelihood of a breakdown and allows you to saturate the body with all the necessary substances;
  • all diet products are available on the local market and do not require cooking conditions;
  • the diet is harmless, has a minimum of contraindications, does not lead to serious consequences in the body, and also does not affect the appearance of stretch marks, cellulite, sagging skin;
  • The duration of the diet is not limited in any way - it is a style of eating that you can adjust and stop at any time;
  • forces the metabolism to work at its limit, weaning it from accumulating fats “in reserve”;
  • a healthy diet can improve immunity and overall well-being, strengthen other internal systems, and also have a positive effect on the appearance, condition of the skin and hair;
  • helps reduce blood cholesterol levels;
  • allows you not only to dry your figure, but also to form sculpted muscles in a short time.

A set of products for the carbohydrate rotation diet, sample menu

As we found out above, your diet will mainly consist of proteins and slow carbohydrates, which are found in healthy and healthy foods:

  • non-starchy vegetables and garden greens (radishes, tomatoes, cucumbers, all types of cabbage, peas, garlic, any greens);
  • legume products (lentils, beans, beans, soybeans);
  • lean poultry (chicken and turkey fillets, quail), as well as chicken eggs;
  • lean red meat (veal, nutria, rabbit);
  • low-fat sea fish and seafood;
  • dairy and fermented milk lean products;
  • whole grain bread (bran, multigrain, rye);
  • cereals and sprouted sprouts (brown rice, buckwheat, oatmeal, bran, wheat, other grains);
  • dried fruits and nuts, seeds;
  • dressings (vegetable oil, vinegar, lemon juice, table wine, natural spices without salt);
  • wholemeal pasta;
  • fruits and berries;
  • healthy drinks (green and herbal tea, ginger drink, rosehip decoction, natural grain coffee without sugar, mineral water, fresh vegetable and fruit juices, berry juice and smoothies, nectars, jelly).

What should be excluded from the menu during carbohydrate rotation:

  • starchy vegetables (carrots, beets, potatoes, horseradish, zucchini, pumpkin);
  • fatty meat (beef, lamb, pork) and poultry (duck, goose), as well as offal;
  • fatty sea and river fish (salmon, herring, etc.);
  • fatty dairy and fermented milk products (mayonnaise, ayran, sour cream, goat milk, cheeses);
  • smoked and fried foods;
  • instant food, packaged foods, semi-finished products, appetizers, snacks;
  • premium pasta, baked goods;
  • confectionery, desserts, sugar and everything that contains fast carbohydrates;
  • dressings, marinades, sauces;
  • pickles and canned food;
  • drinks (alcohol, coffee sticks, energy drinks, packaged juices, sweet soda);
  • animal fats (margarine, butter, cake cream, etc.).

So, the approximate scheme for the diet is as follows.

    The first day of the cycle is low carb. The recommended amount of carbohydrates is half a gram per 1 kg of weight, and we increase the consumption of proteins to 3 g per 1 kg of weight. That is, for a person weighing 60 kg, the daily diet is reduced to 30 g of carbohydrates (60 kg multiplied by 0.5 g) and increased to 180 g of proteins (60 multiplied by 3 g). Fats should also be limited.

    Day one (example):
    We have breakfast with Greek salad dressed with olive oil and lemon juice. Also included are 2 boiled chicken eggs and 150 g of lean cottage cheese.
    Snack - half a grapefruit.
    Lunch consists of stewed veal and boiled beans (a mixture of lentils and beans).
    Snack - the second half of a grapefruit.
    Dinner consists of sea fish stewed with cabbage and herbs in foil. We also drink a glass of low-fat bifidoc.

    Day two is low carb.

    Day three (example):
    Breakfast consists of a steam omelet (3 quail eggs, mushrooms, milk, asparagus). Also included is 1 whole grain toast and a glass of unsweetened homemade yogurt.
    Snack - green apple or pear.
    For lunch we serve boiled chicken fillet with pea puree and cabbage salad.
    Snack - a glass of fermented baked milk, a couple of meringues.
    Dinner includes vegetable salad with tuna and seafood. We also eat 100 g of cottage cheese with berries.

    The third day is high carbohydrate. We increase the consumption of carbohydrates to 5 g per 1 kg of weight, and reduce the amount of protein to 1 g per 1 kg of weight.

    Day three (example):
    Breakfast consists of oatmeal with raisins and nuts. Also included is a whole grain bun and natural coffee without sugar.
    Snack - banana.
    Lunch consists of boiled turkey fillet, a portion of brown rice and vegetable salad. Wash it down with citrus juice.
    Snack - 2 peaches.
    Dinner includes firm pasta and mixed vegetables, topped with tomato sauce. Also included is 1 whole grain tot and a mug of black tea with dried apricots.

    The fourth day is balanced. We equalize the consumption of carbohydrates and proteins at the level of 2-2.5 g per 1 kg of human weight.

    Day four (example):
    Breakfast consists of pilaf and vegetable salad. Wash it down with fresh carrot juice.
    Snack - 150 cottage cheese with berries.
    Lunch includes a serving of boiled beans with stewed rabbit, 1 whole grain toast, coleslaw. Wash it down with green tea and honey.
    Snack - a glass of kefir, a handful of dried fruits.
    Dinner includes steamed fish with lemon juice, vegetable stew and whole grain toast.

Thus, weight loss during the first month of carbohydrate alternation is about 10 kg, mainly due to the fat layer, not water.

How to get out of a carbohydrate cycling diet

This diet allows you to get rid of extra pounds with a guarantee and for a long time, since even after completing the course, metabolism functions at high speeds, not allowing fat to be deposited.

But still, in order to properly consolidate the result, you should not pounce on kebabs, dumplings, pizzas and cakes in the first weeks after the diet. The caloric content of the diet should be moderate, and carbohydrates and proteins should be balanced in the daily menu. It is also helpful to periodically return to carbohydrate alternating days at least once a month. As soon as you overeat, went to a festive feast and reduced your workouts, immediately reduce your carbohydrate intake for the next 2 days and continue according to the plan.

It is also necessary to maintain an active lifestyle and play sports, dancing, yoga, running or swimming at least a couple of times a week.

Don’t forget about the water regime, which is responsible for the metabolic rate - the daily norm remains at 1.5-2 liters.

Disadvantages of the carbohydrate alternation diet, contraindications

Of course, the main disadvantage of the diet is the need to count the amount of carbohydrates and proteins consumed, study the composition of each product, and search for tables on the Internet. This style of eating is very inconvenient for working and busy people, and is not to the liking of the average person.

Also, the diet itself is long, which obliges you to change your diet and prepare new dishes every 1-2 days, which costs time, money and effort.

In addition, the disadvantage of the diet can be considered low effectiveness over time. Many diets help you lose weight by 15 or more kg in a month, but here there are only 10 and those are stated by the authors themselves (which, as we know, is far from the true result).

Also, despite the variety and satiety of the diet, the range of products for the diet is still very limited and does not include various meats, sweets and alcohol, which will not appeal to fans of these products.

There are also contraindications to the diet. Carbohydrate rotation is not allowed in the following cases:

  • metabolic disorders;
  • weakened immunity, the presence of chronic and inflammatory diseases;
  • diseases of the cardiovascular system, hypertension;
  • allergies to certain foods;
  • diseases of the genitourinary system, as well as liver, pancreas, kidneys;
  • diseases of the endocrine system;
  • extreme obesity;
  • recovery after operations, injuries, long-term illnesses;
  • psychological disorders, anorexia, bulimia;
  • age under 16 and after 50 years;
  • diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, stool disorders.

Carbohydrate cycling is a type of low-carb diet interspersed with periods of high/moderate carbohydrate intake; carried out to improve your own form. Many people believe that a low-carb diet is good for them, but this belief is false and not based on anything. The main problem with low-carb diets is that they are temporary, they deplete your strength and energy reserves, and are by no means the best method for losing fat and maintaining muscle. You can't eat this way forever. Your body needs carbohydrates to fuel its own functions.

There are also individuals who simply swear by high-carbohydrate diets. But while high-carb diets are good for increasing your metabolic rate, they won't help you burn fat or shed extra pounds.

The ideal is carbohydrate alternation. It takes all the good things from low- and high-carb diets and works in a zig-zag manner to both burn fat and preserve muscle.

How it works

Carb cycling provides enough fuel to keep your metabolism high while creating a calorie deficit for fat loss. Alternate between high-carb days, medium-carb days, low-carb days and no-carb days.

According to this diet, there are 3 diet options per day:

  • High carbohydrate diet
  • Low or medium carbohydrate diet
  • No-carb or low-carb diet

Typically, each diet is given for three days, but some people use other schemes.

Example: 4 low carb days and then a high carb day; 2 low-carb - no-carb - high-carb; 2 low carb - 1 medium carb - 1 high carb and so on. Your diet needs to be constantly adjusted to help you achieve your goals.

This type of diet works best when you schedule a high-carb day on your heaviest training day, and a low-carb, no-carb day on your no-training day. This plan is based on a system of 6 meals a day. An acceptable alternative is 5 or 7 meals. Align your plan with your goals and training schedule. Keep your diet roughly the same no matter which plan you choose, eating a little more per meal for 5 meals a day and a little less for 7 meals a day.

Protein:

Protein is the basis of a carbohydrate rotation diet. Considering that you eat approximately six times a day, protein should still be 1/5, 1/6, or 1/7 of your daily protein needs for each meal, regardless of the amount of carbohydrates.

Example: If you eat 2 g of protein per 1 kg of body weight, a 100 kg man should eat at least 33 g of protein in each of his meals. If the same man eats 5 times a day, he should eat at least 40 g of protein for each meal, and 28 g of protein if there are 7 meals. Of course, depending on your goals, the protein may be a little more or a little less. On a low-carb day, you can increase your protein intake to 3 or even 4 grams per 1 kg of body weight.

Fats:

Raise the amount of fat in your diet on low-carb days and lower on high-carb days. Many people generally separate the sources of fats and carbohydrates in their diet completely.

Carbohydrates:

Carbohydrates are, of course, the most important part of this diet. There are only three types of nutrition days in this diet, and they differ in the amount of carbohydrates. There is a low/medium carb day, a high carb day, and a no/low carb day.

Low carb day

To achieve greater results, it is necessary to calculate the ratio of carbohydrates to fats and proteins. In the low-carbohydrate phase, the amount of protein taken should be higher. Women need to multiply their weight in kilograms by 2.4, men by 3. This number reflects the number of grams of protein required per day; multiply that number by 4 to get the number of calories you'll get from protein. To calculate the number of grams of fat, a woman needs to multiply her weight by 1, and a man - by 1.6. Multiply the result by 9 and get the number of calories that you will take from fat. Find out the number of carbohydrates in grams by multiplying your weight in kilograms by 1.2 (women) and 1.8 (men). The resulting number, multiplied by 4, will show the number of calories that you will “get” from carbohydrates. Add all three numbers to get your total calories for that day.

High carb day

The diet on a high-carbohydrate day follows the same principle, but in this case, increase the amount of protein and carbohydrates and accordingly reduce the amount of fat. To calculate the amount of protein and carbohydrates, a woman needs to multiply her weight by 2.8, and a man - by 3.4. The amount of fat is found by multiplying by 0.6 for women and 1.2 for men. Using the scheme “1 g of protein - 4 calories, 1 g of carbohydrates - 4 calories, 1 g of fat - 9 calories,” determine the total number of calories for this day. The largest amount of calories on this day should be received before and after training. Distribute the “remaining” daily calories approximately the same as on a low-carb day.

No carb day

A day without carbohydrates is simple, but quite expensive physically and mentally. Everything is as it is called - carbohydrates are canceled. You will get some carbohydrates from green vegetables, but they will be very small.

Remember that you will achieve results if you can overcome yourself and spend carbohydrate-free days without breaking down. Some people have an easier time with no-carb days, while others have a harder time. Only through experience can you find out at what minimum amount of carbohydrates you can function normally and even exist.

Scale:

The recommendations below are standard and can be adjusted to suit your goals. Multiply your weight in kilograms by the numbers below or your own number to find out how many grams of protein, fat and carbohydrates you'll eat per day. To determine the number of calories, multiply proteins and carbohydrates by 4, and fats by 9.

Men:

Women:

Example of a menu using protein-carbohydrate alternation

  • 6:30 - Meal 1: 250g chicken/turkey or 12 egg whites without yolks, or about a cup of oatmeal
  • 9:00 - Meal 2: 250 g turkey, 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter, 1 cup spinach
  • 11:30 - 12 - Meal 3: 250 g turkey, 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter, 1 cup spinach
  • 1:30 - 2:00 - Workout/immediately after - 1 scoop of protein isolate
  • 2:30 - 3:00 - Meal 4: 200 g tilapia, 3 slices of bread
  • 5:30 - 6:00 - Meal 5: 200 g tilapia, 1 cup broccoli
  • 8:00 - 8:30 - Meal 6: 250 g chicken, 1 cup broccoli
  • 10:30 - 11:00 - Meal 7: 40 grams of protein, 2 tbsp. spoons of peanut butter

Vary this diet according to the previous scheme.

Examples of alternation by day:

  • Monday = no carb
  • Tuesday = low carb
  • Wednesday = high carb
  • Thursday = low carb
  • Friday = low carb
  • Saturday = high carb
  • Sunday = low carb
  • Monday = low carb
  • Tuesday = no carb
  • Wednesday = low carb
  • Thursday = high carb
  • Friday = no carb
  • Saturday = high carb
  • Sunday = low carb

The main goal of the protein-carbohydrate alternation diet (PCA) is to burn fat while maximizing the preservation of muscle mass. This diet is often used by athletes for cutting, although it was not originally intended for them. The protein-carbohydrate alternation diet is based on changing the amount of carbohydrates for effective weight loss and consuming the necessary amount of protein to maintain muscle.

Diet scheme protein-carbohydrate alternation

This diet is divided into segments of 4 days; the first two days you should eat very few carbohydrates, no more than 0.5 g per 1 kg of weight, but on the contrary, you need to eat a lot of proteins - 3-4 g per 1 kg of weight. The third day is high-carbohydrate, you should eat 5-6 g of carbohydrates per 1 kg of weight, but the amount of protein can be reduced to 1-1.5 g per 1 kg of weight. The fourth day is a day with moderate consumption of proteins (2-2.5 g per 1 kg of weight) and carbohydrates (2-3 g per 1 kg of weight).

How does protein-carbohydrate cycling work?

On the first and second days of the four-day cycle with protein-carbohydrate alternation in the body, glycogen reserves are almost completely depleted– it is all consumed by the muscles during this time. But glycogen provides, as a rule, only muscle energy consumption, and the rest of the energy loss (sleep, mental activity, basal metabolism, emotions, etc.) occurs due to the breakdown of fats. By the end of the second day, the body’s resources for using fat as an energy source are coming to an end - after all, fat is quite difficult to convert into energy, and it’s a pity for the body to reduce its reserves to nothing. If you continue the low-carbohydrate period further, the body will begin to work in emergency mode, trying to preserve fats in case of long hunger and breaking down muscle protein for energy, which cannot be allowed. To prevent this from happening, on the third day of the cycle we give the body a large amount of carbohydrates to take a break and replenish glycogen stores in the muscles. Please note that you do not increase your caloric intake on this day - you reduce your protein intake, and the amount of fat you consume is practically reduced to nothing. The total calorie content of the daily diet remains the same. Such a carbohydrate day affects the body in such a way that it leaves the muscles alone, uses fats as an energy resource by inertia, and sends carbohydrates to the muscles and liver in the form of glycogen. On the fourth day, the process continues, but you slightly reduce the amount of carbohydrates - The purpose of consuming carbohydrates during a protein-carbohydrate rotation is not to obtain energy from them, but in their conversion by the body into glycogen.

Over a 4-day cycle, you lose 0.5-1 kg (although this happens with a two-day delay, that is, you can observe the results from the first 4 days in the morning on day 6 of the diet). In the first two days, mostly water will disappear. On the third day, the weight will return - this is also mostly due to water. Therefore, you will see a true weight change only on the 6th day.

Pros and cons of protein-carbohydrate alternation

The undoubted advantage of this diet is that it is not hungry. It “spins up” your metabolism, allowing you to quickly lose weight. Even with a reduced caloric intake, the body cannot adapt to it for quite a long time - after all, you are constantly changing the composition of the food. The body burns fat and does not touch muscle mass; on the contrary, with physical activity, muscle mass grows. Protein-carbohydrate alternation does not cause discomfort and does not provoke stress. You can create your own menu of protein-carbohydrate alternation based on caloric content, selection of products, frequency of meals, you can even create your own cycles - for example, a 6-day cycle with 2 days of each phase, a cycle of 2 through 1 and others.

The disadvantages of the diet include the insignificant rate of weight loss compared to classical diets, the risk of gastrointestinal disorders and stomach diseases (especially with high acidity) due to the large amount of protein. Also, according to reviews of protein-carbohydrate alternation, it can be difficult to calculate the consumption of proteins and fats during any day of the cycle (for example, if you ate in a cafe or purchased products in a village shop, you will have to estimate their composition “by eye”). However, according to reviews of protein-carbohydrate alternation, with accurate calculations the diet brings quite good results.

Protein-carbohydrate alternation menu

Below is a sample menu of protein-carbohydrate alternation that you can use as a basis.

Protein days (first and second day of the cycle):

  • Breakfast: low-fat cottage cheese without sugar (you can add vanillin, cinnamon);
  • Second breakfast: 1 boiled egg and 1 boiled egg white or an omelette made from an egg and egg white;
  • Lunch: boiled chicken breast, baked tuna or boiled shrimp, green vegetables (a couple of cucumbers or a few cabbage leaves, boiled broccoli);
  • Afternoon snack: low-fat cottage cheese or yogurt;
  • Dinner: boiled chicken breast, kefir 1%.

Carbohydrate day:

  • Breakfast: porridge with dried fruits, cereal bread;
  • Second breakfast: nuts;
  • Lunch: chicken breast with boiled rice or buckwheat or pasta with meatballs;
  • Afternoon snack: banana, apple, pear;
  • Dinner: mashed potatoes with steamed cutlet, vegetable salad.

Moderate day:

  • Breakfast: oatmeal with kefir 1%;
  • Second breakfast: tomato and cucumber salad;
  • Lunch: baked chicken breast or fish, garnished with brown rice, buckwheat, pasta or potatoes;
  • Afternoon snack: a glass of fruit yoghurt;
  • Dinner: low-fat cottage cheese with 10% sour cream without sugar.

A source of proteins with minimal fat and carbohydrate content for a diet of protein-carbohydrate alternation can be chicken breast, turkey fillet, low-fat fish (sturgeon, cod, flounder, etc.), seafood, dairy products, soy. The source of carbohydrates on carbohydrate days should be foods containing complex carbohydrates - glycogen will not accumulate in the body if you eat too much sugar. Therefore, choose grains, cereals, nuts, potatoes, legumes, durum wheat pasta, vegetables, fruits and dried fruits.

On all days of the cycle, try not to eat after 19:00, drink no more than 1.5 liters of water on carbohydrate days, and at least 2 liters on protein days.

The effectiveness of protein-carbohydrate alternation

This diet should not be followed for longer than 1 month; if necessary, you can repeat it after 1-1.5 months. If you strictly follow the instructions, according to reviews of protein-carbohydrate alternation, the diet really works - weight is lost in kilograms, maybe not as quickly as you expected, but fat mass is replaced by muscle mass. Therefore, the loss of volume and the appearance of beautiful muscle relief are guaranteed.

Effective weight loss can be achieved by monitoring the caloric content of the diet during protein-carbohydrate alternation, while on protein days consume as little fat as possible, but on carbohydrate days you can increase this amount slightly. Protein-carbohydrate alternation will not solve obesity problems, when a person has 10 or more extra pounds, but it is quite suitable for weight correction by 5-6 kg.


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Getting your body in shape is a desire that befalls every second woman and every third man. Many types of diets on the Internet make it possible to choose an option that suits a particular person.

BUTCH (protein-carbohydrate alternation) helps to lose extra pounds without causing harm to the body.

How the diet works

During other methods of losing weight by changing the diet, the body reacts to an insufficient supply of carbohydrates and after a while actively begins to take reserves not from adipose tissue, but from other organs and muscles. Thus, harm is done to the body and the diet does not bring the desired results.

The BUTCH diet is designed so that the body does not experience excessive carbon starvation and does not “save” subcutaneous fat reserves. The effect of losing weight on a diet is achieved by alternating days of eating only proteins and carbohydrates.

A ready-made menu for several days in advance will save you from unnecessary hassle.

To avoid problems with counting calories and grams of food that you need to eat during a diet, it is better to create a BUTCH menu for every day for several weeks in advance. This way you can purchase groceries in advance and plan your cooking time. The menu will help you measure your strength and endurance.

How to create a menu for every day

The diet for this diet is quite limited, but at the same time as close as possible to proper nutrition. like this the diet can be followed for several months without harm to health. You can repeat the courses several times throughout the year.

The alternation of days may have different patterns:

  • 2:1:1 (protein\carbohydrates\mixed),
  • 5:2:1 (protein\carbohydrates\mixed),
  • 2:2:2 (protein\carbohydrates\mixed).

During protein periods, the consumption of carbohydrates is reduced to a minimum. You are allowed to eat boiled chicken, fish, eggs and low-fat dairy products.


The best yogurt is homemade

During the carbohydrate period, proteins are almost completely removed from the menu. You can eat porridge with water. Coarse grain bread, fruits and vegetables are consumed.

Mixed days provide an opportunity to expand your diet with protein and carbohydrates. and relax at the same time. But do not forget that the diet continues and it is necessary to continue calculating the calories of the food consumed.

The BEACH menu for every day should be no more than 1200 Kcal per day for people whose work is not related to physical activity. The second category of workers can increase their daily calorie intake to 1500-1600.

Products during the protein period of the diet

To correctly determine the name and quantity of products, you need to take into account the basic rule of this type of diet.

The amount of protein required in this cycle is no more than 3-4 g per 1 kg of weight.

Acceptable list of foods during the protein period Amount of protein, g \ 100 g of product
chicken breast28.8
turkey20.3
beef24.8
eggs13.5
low-fat cottage cheese 17
beef liver16.2
halibut 18
shrimps18

All meat dishes must be boiled.


Boiled chicken breast is a healthy and tasty dish

Based on this table, you can calculate products for one protein period. For example, a person losing weight weighs 80 kg, then 3 grams are eaten per day. × 80 kg = 240 gr. squirrel. Based on this figure, the daily diet of basic products is calculated.

Products during the carbohydrate period of the diet

During this period of the diet, the body is replenished with carbohydrates and additional energy. On days like these you need to actively engage in sports to improve metabolism. To create a BEACH menu for every day during the carbohydrate period, you should also follow the rules.

Consumption of carbohydrates per day in the amount of 5-6 g per 1 kg of weight.

Allowed foods on carbohydrate days Amount of carbohydrates, g/100 g of products
oatmeal with water63.8
pearl barley porridge72.1
boiled expensive pasta68.9
rice porrige74.9
bananas23.4
apricots11.2
fresh carrots 8.2
baked beans22.0
boiled beets10

Thus, the calculation of the number of products consumed is carried out according to the table data. For example, the weight of someone losing weight is 80 kg then 5 g × 80 = 400 g. carbohydrates per day is consumed on a carbohydrate day.

What to eat on mixed days

Such days are considered a rest from the strict observance of the two periods. At this time, you can relax and give your body a rest. Calorie content these days can be 1500-2000 Kcal.

During such periods, carbohydrates should be 2 g, and proteins 2-3 g per 1 kg of weight of the person losing weight.

Find out more about carbohydrates and the foods they contain.

These days, the menu should contain equal amounts of carbohydrates and proteins. Greens and low-fat dairy products are allowed in larger quantities.

In the morning you can add 1 tsp to porridge. honey for the body to obtain glucose.


Porridge with honey is a great start to the day

We must not forget that mixed days are also a period of dieting and you cannot relax too much. People with a sweet tooth should not gorge themselves on their favorite sweets, otherwise there will be no effect from such a diet.

Benefits of the BUTCH diet

The butch menu for every day is affordable and does not require a lot of time for cooking. It is as close as possible to the rules of proper nutrition. The body does not experience a constant feeling of hunger and does not experience stress.

People who lose weight do not complain of depression or nervousness

The energy from the products consumed is enough to lead a normal life and not change your work schedule.

The body does not get used to food restrictions and the metabolism does not slow down, unlike other types of diets. This type of weight loss can be used without any difficulties for up to 2-3 months. It can then be repeated as needed for 10-20 days.

The butch diet helps you get rid of subcutaneous fat from the first days of use, and does not remove only water from the body. This system helps cleanse the intestines and makes facial skin smooth and healthy. Acne and pimples decrease in number or disappear completely.


The results of the diet are visible to the naked eye

The right way out of this diet will be able to keep the pounds in place and not increase them after losing weight.

Contraindications

It is prohibited to use this method of losing weight under 18 years of age. In childhood, the body grows and develops rapidly and any abstinence in food is harmful to health and growth in the future.

You cannot use the BEACH menu for every day if you are pregnant or while breastfeeding.

The deficiency of certain substances will be passed on to the baby.

There is no need to experiment for people with serious illnesses:

  • kidney;
  • oncological diseases;
  • exacerbation of chronic inflammation.

During colds, you don’t need to start “dieting” - the body needs strength to fight viruses.

Approximate menu for 4 days

To make it easier to imagine your diet, you can create an approximate BUTCH menu for every day.

1 - protein:

  • Breakfast: boiled eggs (2 pcs.) with 200 g of chicken, without broth, green tea;
  • Lunch: stewed vegetables 150 g with boiled fish 200 g;
  • Dinner: steamed fish 250 g and a glass of yogurt or kefir less than 1% fat.

Snacks with boiled pieces of chicken fillet are allowed, calculated in grams that do not reach the daily protein intake (calculated by weight).


Diet according to the BUTCH menu for every day

2 – protein:

  • Breakfast: vegetable salad with olive oil and 1 egg omelette, tea without sugar or still water;
  • Lunch: beef 150 g with stewed vegetables 150 g;
  • Afternoon snack: low-fat cottage cheese 200 g;
  • Dinner: 200 g chicken and 200 ml fermented baked milk.

As on the first day, small snacks are allowed.

3 – carbohydrate:

  • Breakfast: oatmeal with water and banana, coffee with milk;
  • Lunch: rice porridge with stewed vegetables in tomato (total 250 g);
  • Afternoon snack: fruit 200 g and low-fat yoghurt 100 g;
  • Dinner: vegetable salad with 200 g olive oil and fermented baked milk.

Snacks with small pieces of fruit are allowed.

4 – mixed:

  • Breakfast: cereal or any water porridge with fruit – 200 g;
  • Lunch: boiled meat 200 g with rice 100 g;
  • Afternoon snack: low-fat yoghurt or fruit 150 g;
  • Dinner: 0-1% cottage cheese 150 g and shrimp 100 g with herbs.

Dried fruits are allowed as a snack.


Dried fruits are a great alternative to sweets

When eating according to the menu compiled for each day, remember to always drink water without gases.

It is important to drink at least 2 liters throughout the day, in small sips

This rule will help speed up your metabolism and make it possible to burn fat at a fast pace.

This diet will give you the opportunity to lose up to 2 kg in the first days. Then the pace may decrease to 900 g per week, but will be systematic. If you eat right, your weight will not increase rapidly after you finish it..

Following the BUTCH diet is not difficult even for people with weak willpower. For the first few days, you can slightly expand your diet with familiar foods for a smooth adaptation of the body.

BUTCH diet. How to start? Products, measurements, duration of the diet. Tips in the video:

Do you want to know how to lose 5 kg in a week with the BUTCH diet? Watch the video:

BUTCH diet: features and sample menu for every day. It's simple! More details in the video review:

Protein-carbohydrate alternation (PCA) is an effective weight loss system. It appeared after drying, is gentler on the body, has a lot of advantages, is much easier to tolerate, but also helps fight fat. The technique requires thorough study; it was developed specifically for athletes and does not tolerate deviations. BUTCH is a diet that works only with the right approach.

Content:

The mechanism of action of the BUC diet

If a person fasts, then in the first days the weight comes off very quickly; in a week you can lose several kilograms, but then the process stops. Under stress, the body begins to save energy and a plateau stage begins. It is inevitable when using quick methods; it is very difficult to get out of stagnation and establish metabolism. The BUTCH diet helps prevent this; weight loss occurs slowly but steadily.

Glycogen is the body's fuel, which it gets from carbohydrates. On protein days, its supply is exhausted and fat cells begin to be burned. To prevent further burning of muscle tissue, you need a timely supply of energy. The easiest way is to give carbohydrates. The BUTCH diet can rightfully be called a cunning system. When alternating, weight loss occurs, but the body does not experience stress, the kilograms disappear.

Video: Protein-carbohydrate alternation for weight loss

Pros of the diet

The main advantage of the diet is the ability to create your own menu. Fat loss will directly depend on the quantity and quality of incoming products, but absolutely everyone loses weight on a BUTCH diet. Weight loss occurs gradually, the body does not experience stress, and in many cases it is possible to avoid the plateau stage, that is, stagnation.

Other benefits:

  1. Diversity. The list of permitted foods is huge; you can prepare different dishes, but taking into account acceptable combinations and diet rules.
  2. Satisfaction. On a diet, you need to eat often; portion sizes are not limited. In order not to provoke a slowdown in metabolism, the last snack is no earlier than 2-3 hours before bedtime.
  3. Balance. The diet is as close as possible to proper nutrition; it contains only varied, natural, gently processed products.
  4. Simplicity. It’s easy to eat the BEACH diet for 4-12 weeks, after which it’s easy to switch to proper nutrition, which will help consolidate the results achieved.
  5. Stability. If you exit the system correctly, the lost kilograms will not return.

Another advantage is the presence of mixed protein-carbohydrate days, that is, “break days.” They help maintain a healthy emotional background; you can adjust your rotation schedule around the holidays so as not to feel deprived. Unlike “pure” protein diets, when alternating, the body is full of strength, it is easy to engage in sports and active games, there is no weakness or exhaustion.

Cons and contraindications

BUTCH is a diet for healthy people who do not have problems with the kidneys, liver, or digestive system. The abundance of protein gives a greater load and requires increased work of certain organs. The system is also contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women; it cannot be followed by sick people or those who have undergone surgical interventions. Metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalances, vitamin deficiency are also contraindications.

Main disadvantages:

  1. Lack of sweet fruits and berries. The system is especially difficult to tolerate in the summer.
  2. The BUTCH diet is not suitable for people who want to lose weight quickly. You won’t be able to lose 5 or 7 kg in a week by alternating.
  3. Duration. The optimal duration of the system is 4 weeks, but can be increased to 3-4 months.

The diet is not suitable for overweight people. For example, if you weigh 100 kg, consuming 350-400 g of protein can negatively affect kidney function.

Alternation scheme on the BUC diet

There are many different patterns for alternation, but a four-day cycle is considered correct. It consists of two protein days, one carbohydrate and one mixed. Then all this is repeated the required number of times until the result is achieved. It is important not to swap days, not to break the protein sequence:

  1. On protein days on the BUC diet, you need to consume 3-4 g of protein per 1 kg of weight. That is, a person weighing 70 kg needs to eat at least 210 g per day, ideally approaching 280 g.
  2. On carbohydrate days you need to consume 5-6 g of carbohydrates per 1 kg of weight. That is, a person weighing 70 kg needs at least 350 g.
  3. On the mixed fourth day, equal amounts of proteins and carbohydrates are consumed at the rate of 2-3 g per 1 kg of weight. That is, the same person needs to eat from 140 to 210 g of proteins and the same amount of carbohydrates.

Important! On protein days, you are allowed to eat some vegetables and greens, on average 1 g per 1 kg of weight. These products will improve digestion and prevent constipation. It is worth giving preference to green vegetables, for example, cabbage, cucumbers, and peppers.

Video: BUTCH (how to start a diet, products, measurements)

Foods allowed on the diet

Throughout the diet, the consumption of external fats is limited, only 1 tsp is allowed. oils per day. It is advisable not to use it for frying or baking, only for dressing salads, snacks, and cooked dishes. If the goal of the diet is to lose weight, then the fat content of foods is reduced as much as possible. If you need to give your body relief and shape, then you can use milk, dairy products and cheese with average values.

What can you eat on protein days:

  • lean meat, poultry (chicken, beef, turkey, pork, rabbit);
  • fish, seafood;
  • low-fat dairy products (milk, cottage cheese, kefir, feta cheese);
  • eggs (1 whole per day, whites in unlimited quantities).

What to eat on carbohydrate days:

  • grain, bran bread, durum wheat pasta;
  • cereals (rice, oatmeal, buckwheat, peas);
  • low-starch vegetables, greens;
  • unsweetened fruits (green apples, pears, plums).

On mixed days, these foods are consumed in a 50:50 ratio. Greens are allowed on any day in any quantity. Salt is limited, but not excluded. It is allowed to use any dry spices and seasonings with a natural composition. If a product's packaging contains flavor enhancers such as monosodium glutamate, it is prohibited.

Prohibited Products

On the BOOCH diet, you should not eat sugar or overly sweet fruits; you can add a small amount of dried fruit to your diet on carbohydrate days for breakfast. It is prohibited to replace natural meat products with sausages, regardless of their composition and fat content. All dishes are prepared using gentle methods without adding fat. Ketchup, soy sauce, mayonnaise, syrups, and sugar substitutes are prohibited.

You can drink water, teas and coffee. Sweet drinks, juices, compotes, jelly are not allowed. Mineral water with a high salt content will slow down weight loss. If a product is not on the permitted list, then it is prohibited.

Sample menu for different days of the diet

A huge advantage of the BUTCH diet is the ability to independently think through and create a menu from those products that are available. As an example, one option is given for different days.

Important! The size of portions is not limited in any way, they can be increased, but you need to remember about fractionation, try not to overdo it, and eat often. The body will process incoming food faster, metabolism will speed up, and excess weight will disappear faster.

Menu for a protein day

Breakfast: low-fat cottage cheese (150-200 g), tea or coffee
Lunch: protein omelet (1 egg and 3 whites), cooked without fat
Dinner: 200 g chicken fillet, 1 fresh tomato or cucumber
Afternoon snack: 200 g baked or boiled fish
Dinner: 100 g meat, 200 ml kefir or fermented baked milk

Menu for carbohydrate day

Breakfast: 100 g grain porridge with apple
Lunch: vegetable salad
Dinner: 250 g baked potatoes, 200 g coleslaw
Afternoon snack: 150 g boiled durum wheat pasta
Dinner: mixed vegetable stew

Menu for a mixed day

Breakfast: 200 g oatmeal with milk, 1 egg, tea or coffee
Lunch: 200 g green apples
Dinner: 200 g chicken, 150 g potatoes, 150 g fresh vegetables
Afternoon snack: egg white omelet (4 egg whites) with herbs
Dinner: 300 g baked vegetables, a piece of fish, fresh cucumber

Quitting the diet

Since the diet lasts at least 4 weeks, the body has time to get used to a certain set of foods. It is very convenient to switch to proper nutrition after the BUTCH diet. As such, this system does not have a special output. But in order to maintain the results and not gain back the lost pounds, it is recommended to eat a mixed day for a week, that is, to ensure an approximately equal intake of proteins and carbohydrates.