The benefits and harms of fasting days on kefir, how to do it right

A fasting day on kefir helps not only to lose weight, but also to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract - excess weight begins to disappear faster. Find out how to use kefir to lose up to 2 kg in one day.

Author: Kristina Lobanovskaya, doctor, practicing nutritionist Article updated: 11/10/2020

Kefir fasting day is perhaps second only to buckwheat in popularity, but in terms of effectiveness it is difficult to find a worthy competitor. It has been proven that in one such day up to 2 kilograms are lost. In addition, kefir is an affordable product and you can drink it anywhere: while walking, in the car, in the office.

Benefits and harms

Fasting days are not only a way to quickly and safely lose extra pounds, but also the prevention of many diseases. What are the benefits of kefir? It contains bacteria necessary for the body. The product relieves heaviness in the stomach, constipation, restores intestinal microflora and in addition:

• speeds up metabolism;
• has diuretic and laxative effects;
• dulls the feeling of hunger.

It is fermented milk products that contain a lot of calcium, which regulates energy metabolism and also strengthens bones, so a kefir day will give you a luxurious figure and beautiful teeth, nails and hair. Kefir is considered a powerful antidepressant. Hypertensive patients and people suffering from atherosclerosis should also practice such unloading.

According to reviews from those who regularly practice kefir fasting, the weight per day ranges from 500 grams to 3 kilograms. Kefir removes excess fluid, waste and toxins from the body, keep in mind that first of all, excess fluid leaves, but not fat, therefore, to consolidate the effect of such days, adhere to a healthy lifestyle and eat right.

Contraindications

Despite the excellent results of kefir unloading, experts still do not recommend changing your diet to something like this:

• those suffering from anorexia and obesity;
• patients with gastritis, stomach ulcers;
• teenagers

The classic kefir fasting day (with kefir and water) should not be carried out by pregnant women or during lactation. On critical days, representatives of the fair half of humanity also do not need to limit themselves in food. Women often complain of dizziness, worsening mood, and weakness after kefir fasting. As a rule, such symptoms occur in the unprepared. Therefore, before changing your usual menu, think and consult with your doctor.

Contraindications

Kefir is not always an ideal option for a fasting day. If you do not want weight loss to cause negative effects, please note that such cleansing days are unacceptable if:

1. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are observed;
2. There is a lack of subcutaneous fat or the patient suffers from anorexia;
3. The human body suffers from colds, flu, and inflammatory diseases. At this time, the body needs enough calories to overcome infection and weakness;
4. A person suffers from intestinal and genitourinary pathologies.

It should also be remembered that it is unacceptable to unload for weight loss before reaching adulthood. A growing body requires a lot of energy; it cannot be denied it. If a person who wants to lose weight experiences a stressful, tense period, unloading can also cripple him. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, any experiments with diet must be approved by a doctor.

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Rules

The best results of unloading are noted by women who know how to do it correctly and how much kefir and liquid to drink during the day. Here are a few rules that will help you achieve excellent results.

1. Use a product with a minimum percentage of fat content, the shelf life of which does not exceed 5 days.
2. Follow the drinking regime - on a fasting day you need to drink 2-2.5 liters of liquid. Choose unsweetened and non-carbonated drinks, such as mineral water, green tea, and herbal infusions.
3. Eat 5-6 times a day, take equal breaks between meals.
4. Eliminate sugar and salt from the menu - the former does not allow the fermented milk product to work fully, the latter prevents the release of liquid.
5. Avoid physical activity, give up intense mental work, but walks in the park will only be beneficial.
6. Do not overeat the day before, eat light foods - vegetables, low-fat meat broths, drink plenty of fluids. The day after fasting, you should also not go heavy on food. To maintain the result of unloading, include steamed vegetables, lean meat, natural juices, and green tea in your nutrition program.

Fully or partially limited products

• Simple carbohydrates - candy, jam, ice cream, waffles, sugar, condensed milk, jam, confectionery.
• Cottage cheese, milk and high-fat kefir.
• Sweet drinks, tea and coffee with sugar.

Table of prohibited products

Basic version of a fasting day with kefir

The traditional kefir fasting nutrition program involves consuming only fermented milk drink with a minimum percentage of fat content and water. How much kefir can you drink? 1.5 liters for the whole day. Water should be drunk in unlimited quantities throughout the day.

How to conduct it correctly

Divide the specified volume of kefir into 200 ml portions and take them every 2 hours. Last appointment is no later than 20:00. During breaks, as well as when thirsty, drink mineral water, green or herbal tea without sugar or other sweeteners.

Kefir cocktails

Kefir itself tastes good, it satisfies well and relieves thirst; However, there are several extremely popular cocktail recipes that allow you to diversify the good habit of drinking this drink and gradually get rid of a few extra pounds.

Kefir cocktail with spices

For a cocktail, add a teaspoon of finely chopped ginger root, a quarter teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and red pepper on the tip of a knife to a glass of kefir. Dilute with 1-2 tablespoons of drinking water and mix the drink thoroughly.

Kefir cocktail with honey

A cocktail of kefir and honey can be drunk as a snack or dessert. It is enough to add a tablespoon of natural honey, a teaspoon of chopped ginger root, a slice of lemon and a pinch of cinnamon to a glass of kefir. Add some water and mix well.

Kefir cocktail with apples

A cocktail of kefir with apples is a great replacement for dinner and gets rid of hunger during the day. Grate 4-5 green sour apples and mix with a glass of kefir, adding a pinch of cinnamon.

Gentle options

The classic kefir fasting day menu, when only water and fermented milk drinks are allowed, gives maximum results. But due to the paucity of food, not everyone manages to withstand the required 24 hours. If for some reason the hard option does not suit you, you can choose a more gentle diet.

On kefir and cottage cheese

Kefir-curd unloading is suitable for lovers of dairy products who want to lose excess weight. During the day, it is permissible to eat 400 grams of cottage cheese, drink 1.5 liters of fermented milk drink and the same amount of water, mineral water or green tea.

Sample menu for the day

Breakfast:

• low-fat cottage cheese - 3 tablespoons, you can add a little natural honey to it;
• 1 glass of kefir.

Dinner:

• curd and kefir “cocktail”.

To prepare it, mix 3 tablespoons of cottage cheese with a glass of kefir. To improve the taste of the dish, add a tablespoon of your favorite berries or dried apricots.

Dinner:

• 100 grams of cottage cheese;
• 1 glass of kefir.

Snacks between meals:

• kefir.

And buckwheat

Buckwheat in combination with kefir gives an amazing effect, and you don’t have to starve. The buckwheat-kefir fasting day menu may be different.

Option #1

1. Before going to bed, pour 160 grams of buckwheat with 120 ml of boiling water. Cover the container with a lid and wrap it with a towel.
2. In the morning, divide the porridge into 5 servings.
3. Eat throughout the day at regular intervals, washed down with kefir. During breaks, drink water or herbal tea.

Option No. 2

1. The night before, pour 330 grams of buckwheat with half a liter of low-fat kefir.
2. In the morning, divide the resulting mass into 5-6 parts. This is the porridge you should eat throughout the day.
3. During breaks, have snacks - drink a glass of fermented milk drink. Do not forget also that you need to drink at least 1.5 liters of liquid.

And bran

Kefir-bran unloading is suitable for those who are not ready to drink only kefir. Such a diet makes the gastrointestinal tract work properly, rids the body of waste and toxins, and, as a result, the ill-fated kilograms disappear for a long time. Please note that on a fasting day it is better to stay at home, since these products have a laxative effect.

For breakfast, lunch and dinner, eat 2 tablespoons of bran and wash it down with a glass of kefir; in between, drink water and a fermented milk drink. The daily intake of kefir is 1.5 liters, water – a little less.

And oatmeal

Oatmeal is great for unloading. It contains vitamins and elements necessary for life, and if you combine it with fermented milk drinks, the result can be completely surprising.

For making oatmeal

1. The night before, pour 200 grams of whole grain oatmeal with three glasses of boiling water.
2. Cover the container with a blanket and leave overnight.
3. In the morning, divide into 3 servings. This is your breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Drink the first glass of kefir half an hour before breakfast, similar snacks should be arranged between main meals, the last 200 ml should be taken no later than 20:00. Remember that in addition to this, you should drink one and a half liters of unsweetened and non-carbonated liquid.

And apples

Apples contain a lot of useful elements and vitamins; they also contain fiber, which keeps you feeling full. That's why the apple-kefir diet is so popular among dreamers of a luxurious figure. The results of such a day are excellent - often the weight reaches 1.5 kg.

To unload, prepare 5 medium apples of unsweetened varieties (Grenny Smith, Simirenko, Grushovka, Antonovka, etc. are suitable) and 1.5 liters of fermented milk product. Divide the food into 5 equal portions and consume throughout the day, taking equal breaks between meals.

An interesting dish for apple kefir day

1. Cut the apple into small slices, remembering to remove the seeds and seeds.
2. Pour in 200 ml of kefir. Stir. A delicious and very healthy salad is ready!

And bananas

Many people talk about the high calorie content of bananas; in fact, this tropical fruit is considered an ideal product for unloading. It contains a lot of dietary fiber, which speeds up the digestion of food and improves intestinal motility, and the fructose it contains kills cravings for sweets.

During the day you need to eat 3 bananas (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and drink up to one and a half liters of a drink with a minimum percentage of fat content, divided into 5-6 servings. At the same time, you can not just eat fruits and drink a fermented milk drink, but also prepare interesting cocktails and salads from the ingredients.

Banana salad

Take:

• 1 banana;
• 200 ml kefir.

1. Cut the fruit into small cubes.
2. Pour in the drink and stir well.

Banana kefir smoothie

You will need the same:

• 1 banana;
• 200 ml kefir.

1. Peel the banana and place in a blender.
2. Pour in the fermented milk product and beat well.

The results of such a day make up for all the difficulties experienced - according to reviews, it takes up to 1.5 kg.

And grapefruit

Grapefruit contains pectins, which are able to “deceive” the stomach, creating a feeling of fullness. That is why the fruit is recommended to be included in the diet of those who dream of getting rid of a couple of kilograms. Remember that citrus is contraindicated for high acidity, hepatitis, cystitis, gastritis and stomach ulcers. You should also avoid it if you are allergic to citrus fruits.

During the day, drink 200 ml of kefir every 2-3 hours, eat a slice of grapefruit during breaks, and do not forget to drink plenty of fluids. The last meal is no later than 19:00.

And strawberries

There is another tasty variation of kefir relief that allows the use of strawberries. The berry contains a lot of vitamin C, elements necessary for the body, and fiber. Strawberries improve intestinal motility and cleanse the blood, so a fasting day will benefit not only your figure, but also your skin (it will help get rid of acne). If you are allergic to red foods or berries, then unfortunately you will have to look for other options.

For a day you will need 400 grams of strawberries and 1.5 liters of drink, divide the ingredients into 5-6 parts and consume during the day. It is advisable to eat the strawberries whole, but if you wish, you can prepare a strawberry-kefir cocktail by grinding the ingredients in a blender.

And cucumbers

I can't think of a better way to unload for the summer. For the day, prepare a liter of low-fat fermented milk drink and 1 kilogram of cucumbers, it is better, of course, if they are grown on your own plot.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner consist of cucumbers and kefir. It is not at all necessary to limit yourself to individual consumption of these products; show your imagination and prepare salads, cocktails from them; it is not forbidden to even add herbs, fresh bell peppers, carrots, cottage cheese and feta cheese to them. Drink 150-200 ml of kefir as a snack.

And fiber

Fiber is an essential ingredient in the diet of those who adhere to proper nutrition. It gives strength and at the same time normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which means it is considered an excellent prevention of excess weight. There is even an interesting variation of unloading that involves the use of fiber.

At intervals of 3-3.5 hours, you should drink 200 ml of kefir with 2 teaspoons of fiber added to it. During breaks, drink water, green tea or herbal infusions.

And the chicken

Fasting days on meat and kefir are well tolerated. This mix promotes digestion, so you can lose several kilograms without tormenting yourself with hunger. To carry out a fasting day you will need 250 grams of boiled chicken fillet. Divide the meat into 3 servings and eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Wash down each meal with a glass of drink, it is also suitable as a snack. Nutritionists do not insist on mandatory consumption of 2 liters of fluid per day, but, nevertheless, there is no need to neglect water, green tea and herbal decoctions.

And chocolate

Even chocoholics can not give up their favorite treat and at the same time spend a fasting day. The maximum daily portion is 15 pieces of natural dark chocolate, the share of cocoa beans in which is at least 72%.

For breakfast, eat 7 pieces of chocolate and drink a glass of kefir, the lunch menu is similar, but for dinner and during snacks it is better to get by with only a fermented milk drink. Don't forget about water and green tea.

And okroshka

You can even have a fasting day with okroshka, but not with kvass, but with kefir. This dish contains all the necessary vitamins and microelements, in addition, it perfectly cools on a hot day and most importantly:

• removes excess fluid from the body;
• cleanses of toxins;
• gives a feeling of lightness;
• normalizes intestinal microflora;
• relieves constipation.

Secrets of creating dietary okroshka

1. For cooking, use only vegetables with a minimum starch content - radishes, turnips, cucumbers, greens, but it is advisable to avoid potatoes.
2. Sausage should be replaced with boiled beef or chicken breast.
3. Buy low-fat fermented milk drink and dilute it with water.
4. It is better to avoid salt.
5. Sour cream and mayonnaise cannot be added to diet okroshka, but you have the right to replace them with natural yogurt.

How to prepare okroshka for a fasting day

You will need:

• boiled meat – 300 grams;
• fresh cucumbers – 250 grams;
• radishes – 150 grams;
• chicken eggs – 2 pieces;
• kefir – 1 liter;
• water – 300 ml;
• greens (parsley, dill) - to taste.

1. Wash the greens. Chop finely.
2. Cut the meat into cubes.
3. Chop hard-boiled eggs.
4. Grate the cucumbers.
5. Chop the radishes in the same way.
6. Dilute kefir with water and season okroshka with it. Stir.

The prepared portion of okroshka should be eaten in 4 servings. During attacks of hunger, it is not forbidden to drink a little kefir. Don't forget to also stay hydrated.

Cinnamon

Kefir with the addition of a pinch of cinnamon is an effective fat-burning cocktail. It has been proven that spices speed up metabolism, stimulate the breakdown of fat cells, cleanse the body and give a charge of vigor and strength. If you want to lose a few extra pounds, try this fasting day option.

5-6 times a day, at regular intervals, drink a glass of the drink mixed in a blender with 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Don't forget about your drinking regime.

With ginger

Kefir, as well as ginger, activate metabolic processes, so they are excellent as products for unloading.

You will need 1.5 liters of fermented milk drink and 3 teaspoons of ground ginger; if you wish, you can literally take a pinch of black pepper. Prepare a cocktail from these ingredients, divide into 5-6 servings and drink throughout the day. In addition to a cocktail, quench your thirst with plain or mineral water, tea, but not black.

Dietary onion soup: recipes

Classic onion soup for weight loss

Ingredients:

• forks of cabbage (it is better to take white cabbage);
• one and a half liters of water;
• onions – 6 pieces;
• 2 pieces of bell pepper and tomato;
• one bouillon cube;
• a bunch of greenery.

Cooking method:

• Vegetables are finely chopped and filled with water;
• Add a bouillon cube. If desired, replace the bouillon cube with table salt;
• Cook for 10 minutes, then remove from heat and let it brew.

French onion soup

Ingredients:

• onion - one piece;
• half a liter of water or broth;
• a tablespoon of oil;
• carrots – cut one into thin slices;
• a thin slice of hard cheese and a piece of bread.

Preparation:

• The onion is chopped and placed in a deep fireproof bowl. A clay pot will do. Also add chopped carrots. The contents of the pot are poured with broth and boiled for ten to fifteen minutes;
• Heat the oven and place the pot in it for three hours;
• The bread is cut into squares and fried in a frying pan without oil. The edges should be brown. During the last frying, sprinkle with a small amount of cheese and cover with a lid for a minute or two so that the cheese melts;
• Dried bread and cheese are poured into a plate before eating.

Using leeks

Ingredients:

• chicken fillet - one piece;
• two liters of water;
• potatoes (cut into small cubes) – 300 g;
• one piece of leek;
• pepper and salt are added to taste.

Preparation:

• The fillet and potatoes are cut and cooked until almost fully cooked;
• A few minutes before the fillet and potatoes are ready, salt and pepper to taste. Add finely chopped leeks;
• Leave to infuse a little before use.

Lenten soup

To prepare the dish you will need a minimum set of ingredients.

Ingredients:

• onions – 6 pieces;
• one and a half liters of water;
• celery - one small root;
• 20 g butter.

Preparation:

• The onions are cut in half and brushed with oil. Then the halves are baked in the oven or microwave;
• Boil chopped celery in a small amount of liquid;
• All ingredients are pureed using a blender. Salt and pepper are added to taste. For variety, add low-fat yogurt or kefir.

Finnish version

Ingredients:

• cabbage - head of cabbage;
• celery – a small root;
• garlic – 5 cloves;
• olive oil – 5 tablespoons;
• tomatoes – 2 pcs;
• onion – 2 pcs;
• bell pepper – 1 piece;
• chicken broth - liter;
• basil or oregano - use one bunch. If you don’t have fresh herbs, then use one tablespoon of dry herbs;
• processed cheese.

Preparation:

• Finely chop the onion and cabbage;
• Grate the celery on a fine grater, chop the pepper;
• Place the chopped vegetables in a frying pan and fry over low heat. Garlic is also squeezed here;
• Pour the contents of the frying pan with broth, add processed cheese;
• The cooking process continues until the cabbage softens.

onion soup with mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 5 onions;
• champignons – 300 g;
• bell pepper – 2 pcs;
• vegetable oil (for frying);
• greens (seasonal is suitable) or replaced with dried herbs.

Preparation:

• The listed components, except for mushrooms, are finely chopped, poured with water and set to simmer over low heat;
• Mushrooms are chopped and fried in butter. Then add to soup;
• Season with herbs and leave to infuse. Before use, season with a tablespoon of sour cream or low-fat yogurt.

During pregnancy

Pregnant women are not forbidden to have fasting days, but before doing so, they should consult a doctor so as not to harm the baby. Often, gynecologists themselves suggest that expectant mothers include kefir days in their schedule.

Indications for unloading on kefir for pregnant women are:

• excessive weight gain;
• gestosis;
• swelling;
• a feeling of heaviness in the stomach.

Kefir days are aimed at cleansing the intestines; they also help remove excess fluid from the body, thereby preventing swelling. Despite the effectiveness of such unloading, it is not recommended to carry it out before the 28th week of pregnancy, since only by this time all the baby’s organs are formed, and any restriction in food will no longer harm him. Even in the absence of contraindications, it is undesirable to practice mononutrition more than once a week. And in any case, be sure to consult your doctor before making changes to your usual diet.

Mechanism of weight loss

During the fasting day, the components of kefir - bifidobacteria, calcium and protein - actively participate in the process of cleansing the body. Thanks to them:

• the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is normalized, high-quality digestion of food is ensured without its deposition in reserve;
• cleaning from waste, toxins, free radicals, nitrates, and excess liquid is carried out;
• prolonged saturation and rapid satisfaction of hunger occurs;
• stimulates the production of hormones that trigger the fat burning process;
• the daily caloric intake is reduced to a minimum;
• additional dietary products speed up the weight loss process by improving blood circulation and activating metabolism.

This is a great option for cleansing and losing weight. If you wish and use the right approach, you can lose up to 1.5 kg.

On a note. During the fasting day, you need to drink a drink from the same manufacturer, with the same percentage of fat content. When choosing kefir for weight loss, don’t be lazy to look at the ingredients. It should contain milk, bifidobacteria and fungus for sourdough. There shouldn't be anything more!

Reviews and results of losing weight

Natalya, 28 years old

When I was preparing for the birth of my son, the doctor advised me to have a kefir-curd fasting day once a week. I really love these products, so unloading was easy for me, and the result was very pleasing - I lost up to 800 grams per day, and I never felt hungry.

Christina, 32 years old

During my second pregnancy, I began to actively gain weight, then the gynecologist recommended arranging fasting days. One day a week I ate only cottage cheese and drank kefir and lost about 700 grams. Despite the fact that pregnancy is far in the past, I still practice kefir fasting regularly - the kilograms gained over the holidays go away immediately.

Olga, 24 years old

I can’t say that kefir fasting days are my favorite, because I don’t like this drink. But the result is worth my torment - sometimes I manage to lose up to 2 kg in a day, so I practice them quite often and recommend such unloading to my friends.

Tatyana, 40 years old

In preparation for the beach season, I regularly arrange apple-kefir fasting days. In just a month I manage to get myself into great shape without harming my body. But I noticed that unloading is many times more effective if you thoroughly clean the intestines before it; for these purposes I take laxatives.

Ekaterina, 38 years old

Once a week I eat kefir and cottage cheese; for me, this kind of unloading is considered the most optimal - convenient, affordable, effective. In a month I have already lost a size, I am sure that this is not the limit.

Oksana, 27 years old

I tried to unload myself on buckwheat soaked in kefir. I must say, this is a rare crap. Therefore, I decided to eat buckwheat steamed with boiling water and drink kefir during breaks. The next day I stepped on the scale and exclaimed – I lost 2 kilograms, which I didn’t even think about coming back for a week. The second similar unloading helped me lose another 2.6 kilograms. Now I practice such detox days regularly.

Angelina, 29 years old

I tried many fasting days - both on apples and on oatmeal, but the kefir-cucumber one turned out to be the best for me. For 2 months now, once a week I have been eating only cucumbers and drinking kefir, and I have lost 4 kilograms. I am of the opinion that it is better to go slowly, but surely and safely for health.

Daria, 32 years old

For two months I ate bran with kefir, and during this time I lost 27 kilograms. Now I have switched to a more varied menu, but once every 10 days I still give myself such a deload. I give her 5 points!

The basis of the onion diet

It has long been believed that onions are the body's friend. People use it to get sick less and improve their health. And later, women “hunting” for a slim figure discovered the properties of onions as a means of burning fat.

Onion soup for weight loss is consumed both alone (extreme version) and with other products. By replacing sweets and smoked foods in your diet with soup, you can lose up to 8 kg in a week. And by eating only onion soup, you can immediately get rid of 5 kilograms in three days!

Reviews from nutritionists

Experts are confident that kefir fasting is healthier and safer than many other detox days, but they do not recommend doing it more than once a week. With the right nutrition program, there is no acute feeling of hunger, the centimeters on the waist disappear easily and quickly, giving a feeling of lightness.

Ekaterina Belova, nutritionist

I recommend fasting days after long feasts, as well as for anyone on a diet when the weight stops coming off. However, the benefits of unloading will only be if you follow a diet and give up harmful foods. Not everyone can survive a day on kefir alone, so I advise my patients options with vegetables, fruits, and cereals. Such unloading will be no less effective, but more comfortable.

Mikhail Ginzburg, nutritionist, Doctor of Medical Sciences

Fasting days are dangerous for health, especially for people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases. Fermented milk drinks stimulate the production of gastric juice, increasing its acidity, which threatens gastritis, duodenitis, and ulcers. Restriction in food often causes decreased performance, weakness and dizziness. The effect of unloading is also very doubtful, since about 80% of the plumb line is water associated with salts and carbohydrate reserves. Is there an alternative to fasting days? Of course, a properly designed nutrition program.

Some useful tips

Tips to help improve the taste of exotic soup and not break your diet:

• Before adding the onion to the soup, you can lightly fry it in olive oil. This will give you a spicy flavor.
• You can substitute red onions. This will change the taste significantly.
• Many people put the finished soup through a blender - the result is an interesting puree soup.
• Dishes can be prepared in a slow cooker.

Still, although the vegetable is healthy, there should be a break of at least 1 month between approaches to the onion diet. The onion diet can be your first step towards a healthy lifestyle. We wish you delicious and quick relief from extra pounds.