This article reviews the pros and cons of the cucumber diet and whether it’s a sustainable way to lose weight.2.5 Evidence based: 1 BOTTOM LINE: The cucumber diet aids short-term weight loss by restricting your calorie intake.Cucumbers are low in protein, a nutrient that your body needs to maintain the health of your skin, muscles, and joints.You may add small portions of protein-rich foods, such as eggs, lean meat, cottage cheese, and nuts.Contrarily, diets that are easy to implement and adhere to generally yield much better, more sustainable results ( 4 , 5 ).Even if you add protein to each meal, it’s unlikely that you’ll meet your daily needs due to the limited variety of food.Finally, most people regain the weight they lost after ending a strict weight loss program like this one, especially if the diet did not teach healthy eating behaviors, such as portion control and reading nutrition labels ( 5 , 8 ).Aim to eat many different whole grains, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and lean and plant-based protein.Research shows that restrictive dieting is a form of disordered eating that can negatively affect your ability to control your food intake ( 9 , 10 , 11 ).Despite patterns of food restriction, this form of disordered eating is highly associated with the development of obesity ( 9 , 10 , 11 ).Low in fat and protein Cucumbers can be a good source of nutrition when coupled with a balanced diet.Protein is important for many functions in your body, such as the production of enzymes and hormones, maintenance of skin structure, and muscle growth ( 3 , 12 , 13 ).The diet suggests pairing cucumbers with protein-rich food sources, such as chicken or eggs, which will provide some protein and fat.However, research shows that protein should be consumed at every meal to aid muscle maintenance and growth ( 12 ).This would include around 6 cucumbers, a serving of chicken or fish, 2 eggs, 1 cup of cottage cheese, and a few other vegetables ( 7 ).Extreme calorie restriction can lead to a slower metabolism over time, as this is your body’s response to real or perceived starvation ( 8 , 16 ).As a result, you’re more likely to regain any lost weight — even if you continue to eat fewer calories than you did before you started the diet ( 16 ).While it’s important to keep desserts and other treats to a minimum, humans also enjoy food for its taste, memories, and celebrations.There is absolutely no reason to limit whole and healthy foods, such as fish, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits ( 17 ).brown rice, potatoes, whole-wheat bread Fats: olive oil There are no clear guidelines on beverages, but most versions of the diet recommend a low-calorie drink, such as water or tea.Here is a list of typical restrictions of the cucumber diet: Fruits: These are usually limited to smoothies or parts of a small meal.
Edward R. Forte
Author
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