“I’m trying to lose a few pounds”…I’m sure we’ve all heard this before. Your colleagues, family members, or best friends have uttered these words with great anxiety, concerned about their bulging waistline. Everyone is always in search of that one magical diet that will get them fast results. But out of the thousands of diets available out there, how do you know what really works and what doesn’t? And do any of them promise results in just seven days?
The General Motors diet has been around since 1985. It was originally developed by General Motors, along with the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture, for its employees. It was designed to increase workforce productivity by making the workers healthier. Results of the diet were impressive – a loss of 10 to 17 pounds of weight in just a week! The workers experienced increased efficiency, confidence, and higher energy. The diet was deemed a great success. Probably the biggest reason millions of people swear by the GM diet is because it’s easy to follow. There are no complicated ingredients or great demands on a person’s routine.
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The plan focuses on limiting your weekly diet to eating fruits, vegetables, brown rice, and chicken. The diet focuses on a combination of complex carbohydrates, low-calorie vegetables, and fruits and increased water intake to help achieve a weight loss of up to 17 pounds in just seven days. Below is a day-to-day guide for anyone who wants to follow the GM diet.
Caution: Always consult a doctor before starting on a diet regimen.
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You Will Need
A variety of fruits apples, oranges, watermelon, kiwi, and papaya are some of your best options.
Avoid bananas.
What You Have To Do
The first day of the diet allows you to eat as many fruits as you like. There are no restrictions on when you can eat. Watermelons and cantaloupes are the recommended fruits as they are high in fiber. Other healthy choices include papaya, apples, and oranges. You must also consume 8 to 12 glasses of water during the day. At no point is it advised to starve. If you feel hungry, you can grab some fruits and satisfy your craving.
Why This Works
Fiber-rich fruits keep you full for longer (1) . They are also low in fat. In addition, the high amount of water intake will flush out the toxins and prepare your body for the next six days of dieting.
A Schedule You Could Follow
Breakfast: Between 8 am and 9 am
A regular sized apple with a glass of water.
Brunch: Between 11 am and 12 pm
Half a bowl of sliced cantaloupe with a glass of water.
For Lunch: Between 1:30 pm and 2 pm
A serving of sliced watermelon and two glasses of water.
Post Lunch Snack: Between 4 pm and 5 pm
A whole orange and a glass of water.
Evening Snack: Between 6:30 pm and 7 pm
An apple and a glass of water.
Dinner: Between 8 pm and 9 pm
Sliced cantaloupe and a guava with two glasses of water.
Useful Tip: It is advisable to eat some apples and drink a couple of glasses of water for breakfast. Melons are also a good choice; you can lose up to three pounds by the end of day 1.
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You Will Need
An assortment of vegetables. Some of the healthiest options would be carrots, beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and cabbage.
What You Have To Do
You have to follow a vegetable-only meal plan on the second day. You can cook the vegetables to make them palatable, or consume them raw. Care should be taken while preparing the vegetables as oil is not allowed. So forget deep frying your favorite potatoes or eating chips. You can have the vegetables whenever you feel hungry. Flavorings like olive oil or butter can be used sparingly, only if absolutely required.
Why This Works
Vegetables have all the nutrients you need to sustain your body. Potatoes have carbohydrates, peas have protein, and carrots and beans are full of fiber and essential vitamins (2). After the relatively low carb day, this will replenish your carb stores and will energize you for the next day of the diet.
A Schedule You Could Follow
Breakfast: Between 8 am and 9 am
A boiled potato. You can also add a teaspoon of low-fat butter for flavor.
Brunch: Between 11 am and 12 pm
Cabbage and lettuce salad with a light dressing and a glass of water.
For Lunch: Between 1:30 pm and 2 pm
A mixed vegetable salad with cucumbers, onions, and carrots and two glasses of water.
Post Lunch Snack: Between 4 pm and 5 pm
A cup of boiled broccoli, half a cup of sliced bell pepper, and two glasses of water.
Evening Snack: Between 6:30 pm and 7 pm
Some boiled cauliflower with a light dressing and a glass of water.
Dinner: Between 8 pm and 9 pm
A salad comprising boiled carrots, broccoli, and green beans, and two glasses of water.
Useful Tip: Eating baked potatoes will help you go through this hard phase! You can also switch to cabbage soup or tomato soup and have it for lunch or dinner.
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You Will Need
A combination of fruits and vegetables. You could stick to the fruits and vegetables used during the first two days. The only foods to avoid are potatoes and bananas.
What You Have To Do
On the third day, your body would have almost adjusted to the new diet. After a day of eating just vegetables, fruits will bring a welcome break. It will also combine the benefits of both fruits and vegetables, and provide you with high fiber, nutrient, and protein.
Why This Works
The combination of fruits and vegetables on the third day allows your body to replenish itself. Fruits and vegetables provide fiber and nutrients, giving your body what it needs. The variety will also help satisfy your taste buds and break the monotony of the first two days. The water will help flush the toxins out.
A Schedule You Could Follow
Breakfast: Between 8 am and 9 am
Half a bowl of cantaloupe or a sliced apple and two glasses of water.
Brunch: Between 11 am and 12 pm
Half a sliced pineapple or a pear and two glasses of water.
For Lunch: Between 1:30 pm and 2 pm
A salad of cucumber, carrots, and lettuce salad with two glasses of water.
Post Lunch Snack: Between 4 pm and 5 pm
An orange with half a sliced cantaloupe and a glass of water.
Evening Snack: Between 6:30 pm and 7 pm
A pear and a glass of water.
Dinner: Between 8 pm and 9 pm
Boiled broccoli and beets with two glasses of water.
Useful Tip: You can include fruits for breakfast and finish it off with fresh vegetables in the evening. You can also drink the GM diet soup for lunch or dinner.
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You Will Need
Eight bananas and four glasses of milk.
What You Have To Do
The fruit you’ve been asked to avoid is finally permitted. It is advised to eat eight bananas over the course of the day. Distribute them among your meal and snack times. Also, consume a big glass of milk, thrice, once each at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If this gets monotonous, you can also include a bowl of soup.
Why This Works
Bananas provide instant energy. They are rich in pectin, which aids digestion. They are also high in potassium and low in salt (3). Milk is a great source of calcium and potassium. It is also fortified with vitamin D that helps strengthen bones (4).
A Schedule You Could Follow
Breakfast: Between 8 am and 9 am
Two large bananas and a glass of milk.
Brunch: Between 11 am and 12 pm
A banana shake (use one banana). Half a teaspoon of honey can be added as a sweetener.
For Lunch: Between 1:30 pm and 2 pm
A bowl of GM diet soup.
Post Lunch Snack: Between 4 pm and 5 pm
A banana milkshake.
Evening Snack: Between 6:30 pm and 7 pm
Two medium to small bananas.
Dinner: Between 8 pm and 9 pm
Two large bananas and a glass of milk.
Drink at least eight glasses of water through the day.
Useful Tip: You can have your daily ration of bananas in the form of a milkshake and drink it for breakfast or as a mid-morning or evening snack. You could also include the GM diet soup for both lunch and dinner.
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You Will Need
Vegetarians can opt for a cup of brown rice. Non-vegetarians can have a lean protein source like chicken breast or fish. You will also need to consume six large tomatoes.
What You Have To Do
This day is a feast compared to what you consumed on the first four days. Vegetarians can have a serving of brown rice for lunch. It is recommended that a minimum amount of oil be used while cooking. To combat the high amount of uric acid your body will be producing, you must increase your daily water intake to 15 glasses.
For Non-vegetarians: You can include a serving of fish or chicken. Eat 500gms of skinless chicken baked or lightly fried and don’t forget the six tomatoes.
Why This Works
Brown rice is a complex carbohydrate and is high in fiber (5). It aids digestion. Chicken and fish are excellent sources of lean protein (6). Fish also contains omega-3 oils that are essential for our bodies (7). Tomatoes are high in fiber and aid digestion (8).
A Schedule You Could Follow
Breakfast: Between 8 am and 9 am
A few small tomatoes with a bowl of boiled, seasoned kidney beans and two glasses of water.
Brunch: Between 11 am and 12 pm
A cup of yogurt and two glasses of water.
For Lunch: Between 1:30 pm and 2 pm
A bowl of cooked brown rice/chicken breast/fish with two tomatoes and two glasses of water.
Post Lunch Snack: Between 4 pm and 5 pm
A salad with onions, and sprouts with two glasses of water.
Evening Snack: Between 6:30 pm and 7 pm
An apple and a pear.
Dinner: Between 8 pm and 9 pm
GM Diet soup with two glasses of water.
Useful Tip: Prepare chicken soup with tomatoes in it or roast the pieces without oil in a pan/oven. You can also opt for six eggs divided into three meals + six tomatoes. Don’t forget to drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water for the day.
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You Will Need
Any amount and type of vegetables. Vegetarians can opt for a cup of brown rice. Non-vegetarians can have a lean protein source like chicken breast or fish.
What You Have To Do
This is another relatively high food intake day. Follow a similar pattern today with the addition of vegetables. Vegetables have to be boiled, not fried, and salads shouldn’t have heavy dressings. By day six you should notice visible weight loss. This will give you added motivation to finish the diet on a high.
For Non-vegetarians: You can eat up to 500gms of skinless chicken and all vegetables, excluding tomatoes and potatoes. You can eat chicken/eggs or the GM diet soup mid-morning or in the evening.
Why This Works
In addition to the other nutrient-rich foods, a mix of vegetables provides the fiber and nutrients needed by our body.
A Schedule You Could Follow
Breakfast: Between 8 am and 9 am
A bowl of mixed boiled vegetables and two glasses of water.
Brunch: Between 11 am and 12 pm
A bowl of boiled kidney beans with a diced tomato seasoned with spices, and two glasses of water.
For Lunch: Between 1:30 pm and 2 pm
A bowl of Brown Rice/Chicken Breast/Fish with the GM diet soup and two glasses of water.
Post Lunch Snack: Between 4 pm and 5 pm
A pear and a glass of water.
Evening Snack: Between 6:30 pm and 7 pm
A bowl of GM soup and a glass of water
Dinner: Between 8 pm and 9 pm
A bowl of boiled vegetables with a glass of water.
Useful Tip: Vegetables have to be boiled, not fried, and salads shouldn’t have any heavy dressings.
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You Will Need
A cup of brown rice, an assortment of vegetables, and fruit juice.
What You Have To Do
You made it! Today is the final day of the diet. You can have one serving of brown rice and an unlimited quantity of vegetables. To supplement the nutritional value of the vegetables, sugarless fruit juice should be consumed after every meal or snack.
Why This Works
Fruit juices will flush out the toxins from the system, and the other food items will provide you with the much-needed energy.
A Schedule You Could Follow
Breakfast: Between 8 am and 9 am
A mixed vegetable salad in a small bowl and a glass of water.
Brunch: Between 11 am and 12 pm
A bowl of GM diet soup and a small portion of carrot sticks with a glass of water.
For Lunch: Between 1:30 pm and 2 pm
A cup of brown rice, a bowl of boiled vegetables, and two glasses of water.
Post Lunch Snack: Between 4 pm and 5 pm
A few carrots and a glass of water.
Evening Snack: Between 6:30 pm and 7 pm
A mixed vegetable salad and two glasses of water.
Dinner: Between 8 pm and 9 pm
A bowl of GM diet soup and two glasses of water.
Useful Tip: Include vegetables like cabbage or broccoli to go with the brown rice. Try to include one glass of fruit juice (orange or pineapple) in the morning.
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Click here to view an enlarged version of this infographic.
If you’d like to use your smartphone to follow the GM diet, you can use our app to help you stick to the plan and track your progress.
App Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.saisasank.gmdiet
The consumption of fruits in this diet provides the body with fiber that aids digestion and prevents you from feeling hungry fast. Vegetables are packed full of essential vitamins and ensure your body receives all the right nutrition it needs. Brown rice is a complex carbohydrate that is low in fat. Protein in the form of chicken is low on fat and energy rich. Additionally, protein helps to increase the metabolic rate and burn more fat. The diet doesn’t limit the amount of food you can eat, focusing on limiting what you can and can’t eat. This, along with the frequent small meals and increased water intake, flushes toxins and leads to fat loss.
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The cleansing systematic effects of the General Motors diet make it possible to lose a tremendous amount of weight quickly. The best part of the GM Diet plan is that it helps get you into the habit of eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. It will cleanse your system of impurities and give you a sense of well-being — so you’ll feel as good as you look. You actually feel lighter (both physically and emotionally) after just one week.
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Some of the benefits you can look forward to in the GM diet are better digestion, detoxification, and weight loss. All the foods that are suggested are low in sugar and high in fiber. The increased fiber intake helps digestion. Because of the improved digestion, it helps mobilize fat stores while absorbing nutrition.
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The GM diet soup is a staple of the diet. It can be consumed in unlimited quantities on any day and ensures you don’t go hungry anytime. You can prepare a large quantity of it and simply reheat it anytime during the week.
Ingredients
Method of Preparation
Chop up the onions and peppers. In a pot, sauté them in olive oil till they turn mild brown.
Next, cut up the tomatoes, celery, and cabbage, and add them to the pot along with the water.
The soup takes about 60 minutes to prepare. The vegetables will need to be boiled, then left to simmer. Season it with pepper and salt to your liking and enjoy a bowl of delicious soup.
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What You’re Allowed To Drink
Water should be your main source of hydration. Make sure you’re reaching for your bottle of water throughout the day. You can squeeze a few drops of lemon or lime juice into the bottle to give it some additional flavor.
Club Soda is a healthier alternative to the sugar-rich colas.
If you’re addicted to your morning caffeine hit, make sure you have your coffee without any cream, milk, or sugar.
If you prefer tea to coffee, make sure it is either green or herbal.
While a proper diet is important, its also important to exercise regularly. Exercise helps burn off fat stores, boosts metabolic rate, and helps improve overall health.
The trick is to find a workout that lets you get the exercise you require, without seeming like a chore. If you pick an activity you enjoy, you are more likely to commit to it and stick to it for a longer duration.
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The Diet
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Anyone can try the GM diet, but always make sure that you consult your doctor before starting. If you are looking for quick weight loss along with the added benefit of a complete cleanse and detox, then this diet is for you.
Because of the type of food and the way in which you will consume it, the diet will help you shed weight in a week. However, keep in mind, you may also lose some muscle along with fat and water. However, for sustained weight loss over a longer period, regular exercise and a moderate diet are recommended.
The answer is simply no. It is advisable to consult with your dietitian before taking up this diet plan.
No! People who’re suffering with hypertension, diabetes, and heart problems are advised not to follow the General Motors diet program. These people require a well-balanced diet and since the GM diet doesn’t fulfill the nutritious requirements of such people, it is recommended that they do not follow it. However, before you start any type of diet, check with your family physician.Will the weight loss results of the GM diet be permanent?There is actually no guarantee that the weight you’ve lost is permanent. To be frank, there is no diet plan in this world that promises that. It varies from individual to individual.
It’s generally advisable for those above 18 years old only.
Wondering what to eat on the eighth day after completing the GM diet? It does not make sense to binge once the diet is over and expect the effect of the diet to continue. After the diet, it is important to start eating healthier and exercising. There is no fixed plan as to what you should eat after the GM diet. Consult a dietitian and start exercising regularly.
The only way to maintain your ideal weight is by regular diet and exercise.
No! You should not follow the GM diet continuously. It is meant to be a quick way to lose weight.
If you go back to eating unhealthy food and neglecting exercise, yes, you will gain the weight you lost during the week
The weight lost is a combination of water, fat, and sometimes muscle.
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At the end of the GM diet, you will be a few kilos lighter. But the health benefits you will achieve will be more than just weight loss. Your digestive system will be cleansed and the toxins will be flushed out of your body. Your skin will have a glow and your energy levels will be very high. The GM diet allows people to lose weight in a short span of time, without needing to starve. Try it out and let us know how it worked for you.