The 5 Factor Diet
Is Hollywood glamour your thing? Then the 5 Factor Diet is for you! For many years, 5 Factor Diet has been associated with Hollywood stars like Jessica Simpson, Mandy Moore, Eva Mendes, Alicia Keys, John Mayer, and Kanye West. It was believed that because of the 5 Factor Diet, the Hollywood stars were able to obtain and maintain their million-dollar bodies.
However, the road to success for the 5 Factor Diet was never actually easy. It has encountered so many intrigues and issues along the way. One of its critics was eight control psychologist Abby Aronowitz, PhD, director of SelfHelpDirectives.com.
According to Aronowitz, “I don’t see any real science behind the 5 Factor Diet — no studies to show it works, plus it doesn’t seem to address a major problem linked to obesity, which is emotional overeating”.
On the better side, there were also some who considered the 5 Factor Diet as something refreshing and good for dieters who want to lose extra pounds. It’s also a nutritious approach according to Angela Kurtz, RD, a nutritionist at New York University Medical Center.
What’s with the “Five”?
Basically, the “five” in the 5 Factor Diet is not only about the elements that are normally included in a meal – protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, fat, and fluids but also about the five recommended meals a day, having only five ingredients, five minutes of preparation time and cooking time as well.
Typically, the five meals and five ingredients particularly have something to do with the five elements. In fact, each meal with five ingredients should include balanced mix of lean protein such as chicken, fish, or low-fat dairy; fiber such as whole grains; complex carbohydrates such as fruits and vegetables; healthy fats such as monounsaturated olive oil; and water or another sugar-free beverage.
Aside from the elements, meals, ingredients, etc. there’ also the five-day, 5-minute exercise plan with five exercises. The “cheat day” on the other hand is excluded and has nothing to do with the “five” in the 5 Factor Diet.
Low Glycemic Index
One thing unique about the 5 Factor Diet is its “low glycemic index”. In fact, according to Kurtz, as what aforementioned is a nutritionist at New York University Medical Center, it’s the “low glycemic index” that sets 5Factor Diet plan apart and distinct from others.
Basically, the glycemic index is a method of rating foods in terms of their ability to affect blood sugar levels in the body after having some meals. For Kurtz, it is vital in weight loss as determines the amount of insulin that we release or produce after each meal and at the same time our level of hunger.
Hence, the higher insulin peaks during a meal, the lower it’s going to drop within three hours after a meal, therefore the hungrier you will be and the more possible you will overeat. On the good side, when you eat foods low on the glycemic index such as lean protein or vegetables with fiber,and have them every three to four hours, insulin levels become more stabilized, therefore hunger is more controllable.
However, according to a new study from Tufts University, both foods high and low on the glycemic index have almost the same effect, and that weight loss is more on cutting calories, therefore in short, according to the study, “low glycemic index” has nothing to do with weight loss.
Significant Insights of Some Experts
The 5 Factor Diet is generally in between, good yet not perfect. According to Angela Kurtz, RD, a nutritionist at New York University Medical Center “the 5 Factor Diet puts a new spin on what has been the traditional advice of every major nutrition organization for years”.
However, according to some critics, it can be difficult to gain access to the snacks and meals that the 5 Factor Diet recommends, most especially people who work away from home. Similarly, some of the recommended foods may not be applicable in reality particularly when you get the hang of choosing meals with the right ingredients.
Why Not the 5 Factor Diet
Well, in general, the 5 Factor Diet is a one good choice of a diet plan. However, for some experts, when you search thoroughly, you will find out there’s some other which is far better. But, it would still be a case-to-case basis. One thing good for you might actually won’t be that good for another.