Is it possible to eat sauerkraut while losing weight?
Nutritionists call this dish one of the most effective for weight loss. Even one fasting day on cabbage will help you lose about 1.5 kg. Along with its rich composition and beneficial properties, this makes it an ideal dietary dish.
Calorie content and BZHU
The calorie content of sauerkraut is 20 kcal per 100 g. This is so small that the body will receive fewer calories from consuming the dish than it will spend on digesting it.
Energy value:
- proteins – 1.5 g (~5 kcal, 25%);
- fats – 0.1 g (~1 kcal, 3%);
- carbohydrates – 4 g (~14 kcal, 72%).
Although low in calories, sauerkraut contains a relatively large amount of protein.
Composition and properties
The dish is rich in vitamins and microelements:
- A – 1 µg;
- B6 – 0.1-0.14 mg;
- B1 – 0.03 mg;
- B2 – 0.04-0.07 mg;
- B9 – 24 mcg;
- C – 14.7 mg;
- E – 0.1 mg;
- K – 13, mcg;
- potassium – 185 mg;
- calcium – 48 mg;
- iron – 0.6 mg;
- zinc – 0.4 mg
- manganese – 0.2 mg;
- selenium – 0.6 mcg;
- sodium – 661.
Record low calorie content with a large number of beneficial properties can reduce weight by several kilograms without strict dietary restrictions. The dish satisfies hunger well.
Reference. In terms of the number of minerals and vitamins, sauerkraut is many times superior to fresh cabbage. A large amount of fiber (2.9 g) removes harmful substances from the body.
Benefits and harms in the fight against extra pounds
Benefit:
- Contains almost the entire set of elements for the normal functioning of the body. Therefore, unlike many restrictive diets, sour cabbage does not deplete, but, on the contrary, enriches the body with vitamins. This is especially valuable in winter.
- Useful for diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
- Regulates fat metabolism.
- Reduces cholesterol levels.
- Removes toxins.
- Prevents the development of allergies.
- Lactic acid bacteria enrich the intestinal microflora, promote rapid digestion of food, and accelerate metabolism.
- Strengthens the walls of blood vessels and reduces blood sugar levels.
- Increases immunity, eliminates vitamin deficiency.
- Increases blood clotting.
The list of harmful properties of sauerkraut is much smaller:
- Causes flatulence and bloating.
- It provokes the release of hydrochloric acid and can cause gastritis.
- Excessive consumption of sauerkraut (especially if the product contains a lot of salt) causes fluid retention and swelling.
Principles of dietary nutrition
To normalize intestinal function and prevent constipation, you need to adhere to the rules of a balanced diet:
- Maintain drinking regime . Drink at least two liters of clean water per day. Drink water in the morning on an empty stomach, and before each meal. The liquid helps soften stool and improves the passage of food through the intestines.
- Eat small meals . Eat food often: 4 to 6 times a day, in small portions. Fractional meals facilitate the process of digesting food and do not burden the gastrointestinal tract.
- Eat more fiber . Dietary fiber affects intestinal receptors and enhances peristalsis. This promotes better movement of feces through the intestines and facilitates the process of defecation.
- Avoid harmful foods . Excluding fast food and food containing preservatives from the diet has a beneficial effect on the condition of the intestines during constipation.
The basis of table number 3 includes products with a laxative effect. They enhance peristalsis and accelerate feces excretion. The dietary table excludes the consumption of foods that contribute to the activation of decay processes. These include, for example, fried foods, as well as foods with a high concentration of essential oils.
Advantages and disadvantages of the sauerkraut diet
Sauerkraut will help you lose a few extra pounds in a matter of days, while providing your body with vitamins and strengthening your immune system.
There are very few carbohydrates, practically no fat, but in terms of vitamin C content, sauerkraut is ahead of even citrus fruits. This diet is especially useful if excess weight is caused by fluid retention in the body. Thanks to the acids that are formed during the fermentation process, the dish has a mild diuretic effect and relieves swelling. Even without particularly limiting your diet, you will lose 2-3 kg in just a couple of days.
Minuses
The mono-diet should not last more than 3 days, otherwise indigestion, flatulence and bloating will occur.
Acids, which are contained in large quantities in the dish, can harm even a healthy stomach if you eat exclusively this product for too long. In addition, despite the abundance of vitamins, cabbage contains few nutrients, and a long-term diet based on it is classified as harsh.
How to brew tea, coffee with ginger for weight loss
Ginger is brewed in various ways
. Depending on the temperature of the water and the brewing time, you can ensure that this beneficial root “gives up” different amounts of minerals, vitamins, essential oils and other substances.
IMPORTANT: You can brew raw ginger root cut into slices. You can first make a paste out of it and then use it in various healthy drinks. In addition, you can use ground ginger to strengthen the body's immune system and reduce excess weight.
In order to take advantage of the beneficial qualities of ginger, you can use the following methods of brewing the “horned root”:
TEA RECIPE #1:
- Peel the ginger root (5 cm) and chop it
- Boil water (1 liter) and pour ginger into it
- Add a pinch of ground pepper
- The water should boil for another 10 minutes
- Remove the ginger and cool the broth
- Before drinking, add lemon and sugar to this tea.
TEA RECIPE #2:
- Grind ginger (5 g-50 g)
- Pour it into a thermos and fill it with hot water (50 g-60 g)
- Leave for 1-2 hours and add to regular tea
This recipe is good because many of the beneficial substances from ginger enter the tea, and then into the body in the same quantity as was originally in the ginger. Calcium is especially well preserved in this way, of which there is a lot in the “horned root”.
COFFEE RECIPE #1:
- Boil water (1 glass) and add a cinnamon stick (2.5 cm), grated nutmeg (1 pc.), chopped cardamom (1 pc.) and cloves (3-4 pcs.)
- Mix and add mint leaves (3-4 pcs.)
- Finely chop the ginger (1 teaspoon) and add it to boiling water
- Mix thoroughly and add ground coffee (1 tablespoon)
- When the drink boils, you can pour milk into it (1 glass)
- Reduce heat and when the coffee starts to foam, remove from heat.
- Cover with a lid and let sit for 5 minutes
This spicy weight loss drink should be taken 30 minutes before meals.
But it can also be used as regular coffee. With its help, you can cheer up and activate mental activity.
COFFEE RECIPE #2:
- Boil water (400 ml) in a small saucepan
- As soon as it starts to heat up, add coffee (3 tablespoons), sugar (2 teaspoons) and grated ginger (0.5 teaspoons)
- Mix everything and add cinnamon (1 teaspoon), anise seeds (1 teaspoon) and a pinch of orange zest
- Stir and add a spoonful of cocoa
- Cook until boiling, remove from heat and pour into cups
This coffee, like the previous one, can be used not only for weight loss, but also as a tasty tonic drink.
Diet
It is considered a low-calorie way to lose weight, but does not involve fasting. Provides rapid weight loss, and with continued adherence to the diet, the results last a long time. Using sauerkraut, you can arrange both a strict mono-diet and a soft combined diet.
The essence and principle of operation
The mechanism of action is based on a combination of low calorie content, the ability to improve digestion and the content of a significant number of substances that accelerate the consumption of fat reserves. During fermentation, tartronic and lactic acids are formed, which prevent the accumulation of fat.
Dietary fiber cleanses the body. Fiber is practically not digested, but actively absorbs water and, like a brush, removes toxins from the intestinal walls. By increasing in volume, fiber creates a feeling of fullness for a long time.
This is interesting:
What is fermented cabbage, what is it good for and how is it prepared.
How to prepare crumbled green cabbage leaves for the winter.
The benefits and harms of broccoli for women.
Contraindications
The diet is not used for:
- kidney diseases,
- stomach and duodenal ulcers,
- gastritis,
- diabetes mellitus,
- hypertension,
- heartburn and increased acidity,
- menstrual irregularities,
- breastfeeding.
Contraindications
This spice has a huge number of positive properties, but improper use can be harmful . People who use ginger for weight loss or simply for health should take into account the contraindications for which the use of this plant is strictly prohibited. This:
- bleeding;
- allergy to the product;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- ulcer of the esophagus, stomach;
- temperature increase;
- kidney and gallstones;
- period of pregnancy, lactation.
Sample menu
This can be either a strict mono-diet, when the menu consists exclusively of sauerkraut, or simpler options, in which the diet is more varied, but the main product - sauerkraut - is always present.
Let's write down the approximate diet of a combined weekly diet.
Day 1:
- breakfast: a piece of wholemeal bread, 2 boiled eggs, tea without sugar;
- first snack: dried fruits, a portion of sauerkraut with added herbs;
- lunch: cabbage soup with sauerkraut and beef, vegetable salad with sauerkraut and seaweed;
- second snack: kefir;
- dinner: sauerkraut, boiled fish, herbal tea.
Day 2:
- breakfast: oatmeal with water, nuts, any fruit, tea without sugar;
- first snack: sauerkraut salad, dried apricots, rosehip infusion;
- lunch: cabbage rolls with fresh cabbage and chicken, fresh vegetable salad;
- second snack: low-fat cottage cheese with a teaspoon of honey;
- dinner: sauerkraut, grilled chicken breast, tea.
Day 3:
- breakfast: omelette with vegetables, 1 slice of bread, green or herbal tea;
- first snack: coffee, nuts, 1 unsweetened fruit;
- lunch: salad with sauerkraut, fresh cucumbers and herbs, steamed fish;
- second snack: a glass of kefir, a handful of dried apricots;
- dinner: sauerkraut, 2 boiled eggs, herbal tea.
On the fourth day, the menu can be repeated or replaced at your discretion, adhering to the specified diet.
Attention! Even if your health deteriorates slightly, stop the diet and return to your normal diet. It is better to consult a doctor to determine the exact cause of your health problems.
Variations
Varieties of diet based on sauerkraut:
- cabbage and buckwheat;
- cabbage and kefir;
- cabbage and eggs;
- combined nutrition.
The main condition is that sauerkraut should be made the basis of the menu, combined with other low-calorie products: low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, chicken or vegetable broth, boiled fish, lean chicken breast, fruits, vegetable salads.
It is necessary to exclude fried, fatty and all types of sweets: pastries, sweet and carbonated drinks, desserts.
Attention! Drink at least 2 liters of liquid a day: water, unsweetened tea, rosehip infusions and herbs.
Salads, desserts
Who said ginger can't be added to dishes? Its bright taste will help not only diversify your diet, but also lose weight.
Ginger-apple petals
You will need apples or not very juicy pears and ginger. Per kilogram of apples you need about 200-300 g of root
Preparation
- Peel the ginger and cut into petals;
- Blanch the apples and cut into thin slices;
- Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon;
- Place on a baking sheet;
- Bake at 200 degrees until the apples become soft;
- You can sprinkle with any bulk sugar-free sweetener.
Some people pour honey on it, but then the whole “diet sweets” operation makes pretty little sense
Diet ginger ice cream
This recipe will require ice cream molds or a special ice cream maker.
- Dissolve a packet of gelatin in a glass of skim milk;
- Add grated ginger;
- Add any calorie-free sweetener - stevia, fitparad, or inulin;
- Beat 10 egg whites until foamy and mix everything with a blender;
- Pour into molds and freeze
Vegetable salad with ginger
- Take 2 beets and boil;
- Chop 1 cm of ginger root, a bunch of celery, and a little orange zest;
- Mix everything, season with olive oil
Braised cabbage
This recipe will help diversify side dishes on a diet, and is suitable for those who need to control the amount of carbohydrates in their diet.
- 1 head of cabbage, chopped;
- Grind 2 cm of ginger root;
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil;
- Add ginger root, heat;
- Lightly fry, add cabbage;
- Add water and simmer until done
You can also add onions and tomato paste to this recipe without adding sugar.
Light salad with ginger
Diet duration
Based on duration, the sour cabbage diet is divided into three types.
The three-day period is the strictest. Approximate menu:
- Day 1: 1 kg of sauerkraut;
- Day 2: 700 g cabbage, 3-4 apples, boiled egg;
- Day 3: 600 g cabbage, 2 apples, 150 g boiled potatoes.
Weekly – more gentle. In addition to the main component, they consume fresh vegetables and fruits, buckwheat, oatmeal, potatoes, and fermented milk products.
Menstruation is the most varied, and therefore is often recommended by nutritionists. The list of products, except for the indispensable sauerkraut, is very wide. The main rule is nothing fatty, sweet, fried or floury.
If other dishes are introduced into the diet, it is completely harmless and can be used for up to one month. To avoid gaining pounds in the future, it is enough to arrange fasting days from time to time.
Important! Doctors do not recommend sticking to a mono-diet for more than 3 days.
Fasting day on sauerkraut
This is a kind of strict one-day diet.
The menu is very simple: they eat 1.5 kg of sauerkraut per day in 5 meals. You can include unsweetened herbal tea.
How to get out of a diet correctly
After the diet, a slow metabolism persists for some time, since the body is not able to quickly switch to a high-calorie diet. Therefore, while the metabolism is being rebuilt, there is a risk of rapid increase in fat mass.
To consolidate the results achieved, exit the diet smoothly. Gradually, heavier foods are added to the diet, starting with protein products (meat, fish) and sweet fruits (there are very few of them in the diet menu).
To achieve the best effect, it is recommended to lead an active lifestyle and go for morning jogging.
Fully or partially limited products
Excluded: pork, cooking fats, refined vegetable oil, margarine, butter, duck and goose meat, offal (kidneys, brains, liver), sausages and smoked meats. Fatty fish, fish roe (contains a large amount of cholesterol), crayfish, shrimp, crabs and any canned fish, including cod liver, are prohibited.
You should not consume puff pastry and pastry products, highly extractive meat, fish, or mushroom broths. Cream, fatty cottage cheese and sour cream are not allowed in the diet. Prohibition of consumption of chocolate, full-fat ice cream, products with cream and products with palm and coconut oil. Mayonnaise and ketchup should not be used as sauces.
Limit:
- beef (1-2 times a week);
- red fish;
- egg yolks;
- potato;
- fatty cheeses;
- nuts;
- buckwheat;
- honey.
Reviews of those losing weight
Women who have tried the cabbage diet share their results and impressions:
Larisa, 34 years old: “I consider myself to be a lady who is always losing weight. As far as I remember, I was stressed from every extra piece, from diet breakdowns and overeating. But I couldn’t help myself. My appetite is stronger than mine. The cabbage diet attracted me because you don’t have to suffer too much or go hungry. Of course, I had to be patient, and I had to give up sweets. But I saved myself with dried fruits and nuts. In three weeks, without much difficulty, 6 kg did not exist. For me this is a lot. It didn’t work out like that before.”
Ilona, 40 years old: “I came to the cabbage diet intuitively. I fermented two pans - it turned out very tasty, and I just got hooked on it. I got involved in such a monoration and quickly realized that it was good for my figure. In addition, it is very satisfying and easy. I sat on this fasting regimen for 6 days without any effort and lost 3 kg. I recommend choosing less salted cabbage. Then the diet will be easier.”
Elena, 28 years old: “I weighed 76 kg, I couldn’t get back into shape after giving birth. She had a terrible complex and was afraid to leave maternity leave. The sauerkraut diet was just some kind of discovery for me: I practically did not feel hungry. I ate cabbage with chicken breast and eggs. Of course, I refused sweets. At first I stayed on this menu for 2 weeks and lost 4 kg. A month later I repeated the diet. This time I lasted 4 weeks and lost another 5 kg. I returned to work slimmer and more confident.”
How many nuts per day is acceptable, is it possible at night
It is not they themselves that are dangerous to the figure, but their uncontrolled consumption. Nuts are best suited as a snack, especially in the morning. A safe amount for weight loss would be 20 - 30 g. But we must not forget to include them in the total number of calories per day, because they will provide an additional 150 - 200 kcal. If you don’t have scales, you can roughly estimate the number of pieces:
- hazelnuts – 10 – 12;
- macadamia - 10 - 12 pieces;
- walnuts and pecans no more than 13 - 14;
- cashews 15 - 17 pieces;
- no more than 20 almonds;
- cedar no more than a tablespoon.
In many diets, they are prohibited at the first stage, but at the stabilization stage they can and should be consumed, the main thing is not to overdo it. In addition, almonds, peanuts and cashews prevent you from gaining weight; moreover, groundnuts also lead to energy consumption. Metabolism accelerates.
However, it is important to remember that you can eat natural nuts, without glaze, sprinkles, honey, sugar or salt. All of these are fast carbohydrates that give a high glycemic index. This leads to the formation of fat depots and also increases appetite. And salt retains water, which causes swelling and intercellular fluid to accumulate.
But it’s good to add nuts to salads; this will increase their nutritional value, but will not increase their calorie content.
We recommend reading about fitness bars for weight loss. You will learn about who needs fitness bars and when, the rules for using them, a review of popular fitness bars, and homemade recipes. And here is more information about sweets when losing weight.
Dieting can be delicious and healthy. Nuts will be a great option to make the menu more interesting and varied. Don't fall for the myth that they should be excluded from your diet. Only uncontrolled consumption is dangerous. If the correct dosage is observed, it will only bring benefits.