Diet: Here are the details you need to know about the Zero Belly Diet

The Zero Belly Diet comprises of plenty of healthy foods, such as lean meats and fish, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and even dark chocolate. It eliminates some less-healthy food options, including fatty meats and refined sugar. So, generally, it's a pretty healthy diet to follow.

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How It Works

• The Zero Belly Diet allows three meals and one to two snacks per day. This, according to Zinczenko, helps to keep you satiated and to fight cravings.

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What to Eat

• Eggs
• Red fruit (berries, red grapefruit, Pink Lady apples, tart cherries, watermelon, plums, and peaches)
• Olive oil and other healthy fat sources, such as nuts, avocados, salmon, and flaxseed
• Beans, brown rice, oats, and quinoa
• Extra plant protein powder
• Lean fish and meat
• Leafy greens, green tea, and bright-coloured vegetables
• Spices
• Dark chocolate

What Not to Eat

• Gluten grains (wheat, barley, and rye)
• Potatoes
• High-fat meats
• Milk and other dairy products
• Highly-refined oils (such as safflower oil, sunflower oil, and soybean oil)
• Most processed foods
• Alcohol
• Soda and diet soda
• Coffee (one cup per day allowed)
• Refined sugar

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Pros and Cons

Pros

• Lots of healthy foods
• Incorporates plenty of exercises
• Fairly well-balanced
• Emphasizes exercise

Cons

• May be difficult to follow long-term
• Eliminates many common foods
• Doesn't actually target belly fat specifically

USDA Recommendations

As the diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, healthy whole grains and legumes, and lean meats and fish, it is reasonably in line with the USDA's recommendations for an overall healthy diet. According to the USDA, a well-balanced diet contains about half fruits and vegetables, a significant proportion of whole grains, and smaller servings of lean meats and fish. However, the Zero Belly Diet requires that you eliminate gluten grains and milk-based products from your diet, and there's no medical evidence that doing so will help you lose weight. In fact, whole wheat can be a valuable source of fibre and other nutrients, and dairy products can help you get enough calcium, critical for bone strength.

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DISCLAIMER: If any deteriorating of symptoms or new symptoms occur during a zero belly diet, one should visit a qualified health professional or consult a dietician. Also, the effects of the above information may vary from person to person.