What Exactly Is the Almased Diet Plan?
When we overheard someone discussing the Almased diet plan, we knew we wanted to learn more about it because we are always looking for new ways to make eating a nutritious diet more convenient. Let’s be honest: even if we haven’t tried the Whole30, keto, or the 80-20 plan ourselves, we almost certainly all have a friend who has. When it comes to maintaining a healthy diet, everyone has their own approach that works best for them, which is why we believe it’s important to continue educating ourselves even when we’re already well-versed in the topic.
The four major steps of the Almased diet plan are designed to teach your metabolism to work with you rather than against you. We contacted a few industry professionals to seek their opinions and gain further insight into the specifics of each stage. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the Almased diet, including the benefits and drawbacks, as well as the specific foods that are permitted and prohibited on the plan.
What exactly is the Almased Diet all about?
This well-liked eating strategy revolves around the use of a protein powder that can either take the place of or provide additional nourishment for meals. Natural soy protein, skim milk yogurt powder, and honey were the three primary components that went into the creation of the one-of-a-kind protein powder that was developed in Germany in 1985 by a scientist named Herbert Trouille (which, by the way, is free of gluten and does not include any artificial sweeteners). The notion held by Trouille was that in order to lose weight, you shouldn’t have to starve yourself, and that if you consume a particular kind of protein, you can force your metabolism into high gear.
The unique fermentation process that the powder goes through results in the release of bioactive peptides into the body, which, according to the claims made about it, assists in weight loss. “This powder contains key nutrients, such as enzymes and essential amino acids, which are largely needed by your body to make digestion easier,” explains Charushila Biswas, an ISSA Certified fitness nutritionist. “These nutrients are mostly needed by your body to make digestion easier.”
The Almased powder is mixed into smoothies that serve as meal replacements throughout the four-stage diet regimen. The stages begin with very stringent requirements and eventually ease up until they resemble more of a lifestyle in which shakes are consumed alongside healthy meals. However, you should know that this eating plan is not for people who are unable to stick to a rigid routine.
The Positives of Adopting an Almased Diet
One of the benefits of the Almased Diet, as described by Amy Shapiro, who is a registered dietitian and the creator of Real Nutrition NYC, is that its directions are easy to understand. Real Nutrition NYC was established in 2011. She asserts that there are no ambiguous situations. “It is simple to follow, and the amount of preparation labor and grocery shopping required is reduced.” In addition, you will likely experience rapid progress if you are able to follow the detailed plan to the letter. “It also helps that they teach you how to reintroduce regular food slowly in order to see ongoing and maintained progress,” Shapiro continues. “They teach you how to reintroduce regular food slowly in order to see continued and maintained success.”
The Drawbacks of Adopting an Almased Diet
According to Shapiro, the fact that the ingredients in the smoothie are highly processed is one of the most significant drawbacks of the Almased Diet. She explains that the source of their protein is soy protein isolate, which is a highly processed and broken down version of soy that does not offer the same health benefits as the soy plant itself. In addition, each serving of shakes has an additional 15 grams of sugar, although there is only one gram of fat. According to Shapiro, “Fat serves to keep us full as well as helping the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins.” Overall, the diet is quite restrictive, which may make it more difficult to follow it for an extended period of time.
Phase 1: The Initial Beginnings
Three Almased shakes a day are recommended (breakfast, lunch, and dinner: Mix the protein powder into low-fat or soy milk and add flaxseed powder.)
Other foods and drinks: To begin the day, drink a glass of warm water with lime juice; if you wish, you may also add honey and ginger to the mixture. Additionally, you should drink at least 64 ounces of water. You may also have homemade vegetable broth and juice produced entirely from vegetables in between servings of shakes, in addition to fruit such as peaches or plums.
Three to fourteen days should be spent here at this point.
As a nocturnal snack before dinner, give this key recipe a shot: make a salad with watermelon and zucchini, fresh grapefruit, cumin powder, and mango powder, and season it with salt.
What’s going on: “This will allow the body to mobilize the stored fat and use it as an energy source,” says Biswas. “This will allow the body to use its stored fat as energy.” According to Shapiro, during this period you will experience quick weight loss as a result of the elimination of solid foods as well as the loss of glucose and water that has been accumulated.
Phase 2: The reduction process:
Two Almased shakes a day are recommended (breakfast and dinner)
Other foods and drinks: Consume at least one substantial meal, preferably at lunchtime. Reduce the number of times you snack, and stay away from eating too much fruit.
Time to remain in this stage: Until you attain the weight loss goal that you have set for yourself.
Recipe de clef: for lunch, give a straightforward chicken stir-fry with vegetables a shot.
What’s going on: “Now that a fair quantity of stored fat has been used up as energy to drive the body processes, the low-carb lunch will not be stored as fat,” explains Biswas. “This is because the body has used up a good portion of the fat that was previously stored as fuel to drive the functions.” According to Shapiro, during this period, your rate of weight loss will slow down, but you will still continue to lose weight since you are limiting the number of calories you consume.
Phase 3: The Stage of Stability
One Almased smoothie each day is recommended.
Other foods and beverages: Consume two full meals per day that are low in carbohydrates and heavy in protein and green vegetables.
At least two weeks should be spent here during this period.
Dinner consists of salmon that has been baked, along with a vegetable.
Biswas explains what is happening on as follows: “Your body will continue burning fat by being metabolically active without losing any necessary nutrient.” “This helps you to sustain your weight reduction or continue to lose weight at a more gradual pace as you are adding back regular meals while still managing the content,” says Shapiro.
Phase 4: The Life Stage
One Almased smoothie each day is recommended (part of breakfast or dinner)
Other types of food and drinks: In addition to your Almased shake, you should eat three meals a day that are more substantial.
Time to commit fully to this phase: this should be your ongoing routine.
Recipe highlight: these delectable and protein-dense stuffed mushrooms are packed with vegetables.
What’s going on: “You will continue to lose weight during this phase, but the results won’t be as dramatic as they were in the reduction phase,” says Biswas. “The results won’t be as spectacular as they were in the reduction phase.”
The Most Important Takeaway
It’s possible that the Almased Diet will help you shed pounds quickly, but nutritionists advise that you continue with caution. According to Shapiro, “Because of the restrictions on calories and the ingredients, this is not something that I would endorse.” “You will be successful; but, the means by which you achieve those successes will not be the healthiest.” Instead, she suggests going with a plan that offers more leeway for customization. “When it comes to attempting to lose weight, I enjoy working with my clients so that they can handle the challenges of daily living and enjoy their lives by eating real foods that are good for them.”