Kefir has a very vivid origin history and a halo of wonderful products. In the collective consciousness, it is not surprising that other qualities are mixed with true healing properties: for example, losing weight quickly and painlessly without negative effects. We figure out what kefir is really good at, and we study the kefir diet from all aspects to find the pros and cons.
Kefir's history
Imagine this: In a glass of kefir you drank today, there is a hint of a drink you drank hundreds of years ago.
Kefir is made from milk, which extracts "fungi" from streptococcus and branches, acetic acid bacteria and yeast. According to the researchers, the fungus most likely originated from koumiss, a drink made from horse milk. It entered when the Caucasus tribe changed the nomadic lifestyle to a sedentary lifestyle and started farming. milk. Scientists have not succeeded in removing the kefir fungus artificially, and the new part of the starter is obtained through the reproduction of existing fungi.
Now, from Kazakhstan to Australia, kefir is everywhere, but the specific bacteria in the basis of modern products can be traced back to a specific place, namely the Elbrus region. People living on the northern slopes of the Caucasus ridge believe that kefir is a gift from Allah, so this drink is surrounded by special rituals and superstitions.
For example, the sale of kefir fungus is banned, which is thought to weaken their healing power. But they can be stolen-with the acquiescence of the owner.
Another ritual: Highlanders pour milk and kefir into a leather wine bag, and place it in the sun by the path leading to the house. Passers-by can show respect to the owner by kicking the wine skin-shaking makes the fermentation process more intense.
In 1867, Tbilisi doctor Jogin published the first official news about the benefits of kefir. But the production of this drink was still a secret carefully guarded by the Highlanders. The situation has changed due to an employee of a well-known large dairy company. During the mission, she visited the estate of a wealthy Karachay, and for the first time in history received 10 pounds of kefir fungus "grain" as a gift or as legal compensation for courtship failure. So Kefir finally started industrial production.
The benefits of kefir
As early as the end of the 19th century, doctors launched a truly large-scale campaign to promote the benefits of kefir, and its influence still affects us. The legendary scientist and Nobel Prize winner has spent his entire life studying the benefits of fermented dairy products and probiotic live microorganisms.
Further research confirmed his guess. Kefir has a beneficial effect on the intestinal flora and metabolism, and can prevent the development of pathogenic flora. It also has immunostimulatory, calming and mild diuretic effects, that is, it can relieve excess fluid in the body.
Kefir contains more vitamins A, D, K, and E than yogurt. It contains useful organic and amino acids, enzymes and important trace elements-iron, iodine, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc-a person's quantityneed.
The older the kefir, the more sour it tastes and the more alcohol it contains. In any case, it doesn't have much: at the end of the shelf life, a fortress with a maximum of 1 degree, even if you drink a full bottle of kefir, you can drive safely. But children should still eat fresh one-day kefir.
For people with lactose intolerance, kefir helps to absorb this carbohydrate normally. Kefir contains a small amount of calories and a lot of water, so it helps to maintain water balance while bringing a feeling of fullness. It is not surprising that this product has become the foundation of the entire diet system.
The essence of the kefir diet
Kefir is nutritious and light, improves the work of the digestive tract, helps to lose weight quickly, significantly reduces the amount of calories consumed and removes excess fluid. Many people think that the kefir diet is a single diet, that is, a diet made from one product, but this is the most radical option: only kefir is allowed without harming health for up to 24 hours. More commonly, kefir is used in combination with other low-calorie foods for 3, 7 or 9 days. Particularly popular are the kefir-buckwheat diet, the kefir-banana diet, the kefir-curd diet and the cucumber-kefir diet.
By the way, Kefir is beautified by a popular singer’s famous Kefir diet: history remains silent on whether a truly famous singer uses it, and at some point in her career, she really lostA lot of weight. The celebrity diet menu of course includes kefir, as well as low-fat cheese, chicken breast, fruit and potatoes.
The Kefir diet for weight loss is certainly appropriate. But it severely restricts the supply of nutrients, based on hunger, puts the body in a severe state of stress. Is the result worth it? Here is how they wrote about the kefir diet online:
- "I lost 12 kg in 3 weeks. I lost weight, but I will never repeat the same mistakes!!! I thought I was going to starve to death. "
- "If you follow the kefir diet correctly, it is effective. But without physical labor, the effect will not. You should at least do some exercises. Try to drink kefir only for 1 day. If you feel uncomfortable, it is best to stop. . . "
- "No food for a week. Generally speaking. A kefir and water. The consequences have come. Probably the hardest of all the diets I have tried. "
General rules of the kefir diet
- Kefir is the main product of the diet. You need to drink about 1. 5 liters a day. The rest are low-calorie non-fat carbohydrates and protein: meat, fish, vegetables, fruit and cheese.
- You need to consume it in small amounts, at least five times a day.
- Between main meals, you can drink kefir as a snack.
- Although kefir can quench your thirst well, you must drink at least 1. 5 liters of water every day.
- Excludes all flour, fat, heavy, fried and spicy foods. Sugar and salt are kept to a minimum (or it would be better if they were excluded altogether).
- Getting rid of the kefir diet needs to be cautious and smooth: if you want to maintain results, going to a party or eating pizza is not the best idea.
How to choose the right kefir
Choose fresh kefir-no more than 2-3 days from the date of production-low in fat. Foods that are completely fat-free are not the best choice because the body needs fat.
The composition should contain "kefir sourdough" derived from fungus, yeast and fermented milk cultures. Do not buy kefir or fermented milk drinks.
The protein in proper kefir is not less than 3%-this is necessary so that weight loss does not lose too much muscle mass.
Please note: Our ingredients do not require additives, dyes, sugar, palm oil and milk powder. The ideal is farm kefir.
The shelf life of natural kefir is 7-10 days from the date of production. If a longer expiration date is indicated on the label, the composition may contain a preservative. Do not buy kefir that has spoiled before: it is divided into whey and flakes, which turns yellow, has a bitter and sour taste. Unethical manufacturers may try to hide damage with opaque bottles or packaging.
How can you replace kefir in your diet?
If for some reason kefir is not suitable for you or its taste is not suitable at all, you can try alternatives:
- Yogurt without additives.Choose products carefully. For taste and thickness, starch and sugar are usually added.
- Other low-fat fermented dairy products-For example, fermented baked milk, tan, or aylan.
- sour milk.It's easy to make at home: just put the milk in an enamel bowl and leave it at room temperature for a day.
Approved Product Table
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Kefir diet for 3 days
If we abandon the single kefir diet which is the hardest choice for the body, then the three-day kefir diet will have the strongest impact on the body. If the time is short, it will help you hit the weight and shock quickly.
The general principle is one: about 1. 5 liters of kefir per day, 5-6 doses. In addition, other low-calorie foods are also acceptable. The most popular choices are buckwheat, cheese, apples, and vegetables. You can replace kefir with just one product, such as Apple. But it's best to make your food, even dieting, as diverse and interesting as possible.
For example, the kefir diet menu might be as follows:
first day
- breakfast:Oatmeal, honey tea.
- dinner:Stew, vegetable soup.
- dinner:Green salad.
- snack:Kefir.
Day 2
- breakfast:Boiled eggs, rose hip soup.
- dinner:Salad, vegetable soup.
- dinner:Vegetable salad, tea.
- snack:Kefir.
Day 3
- breakfast:Tofu casserole, tea.
- dinner:Boiled fish, salad.
- dinner:Buckwheat porridge, chamomile tea.
- snack:Kefir.
Kefir diet for 7 days
A week of kefir diet can give you impressive results: Lose 7-10 kg. As the time is relatively long, it is important to eat as much as possible.
In one of the diet options, you should only use kefir in combination with a low-calorie product (such as apples) every day, but you can simply extend the three-day diet plan by one week and eat breakfast according to the "porridge" plan. Protein and vegetables, lunch and dinner, kefir is somewhere in between. "
Example menu:
- first day:Divide approximately 200-250 grams of cooked lean meat and 1. 5 liters of kefir into 5 portions.
- Day 2:5 big apples and 1. 5 liters of kefir a day.
- Day 3:300 grams of 3-5% fat cheese and 1. 5 liters of kefir.
- Day 4:250 grams of steamed white fish and 1. 5 liters of kefir.
- Day 5:500 grams of cucumber and tomato salad and 1. 5 liters of kefir.
- Day 6:250 grams of chicken fillet and 1. 5 liters of kefir.
- Day 7:2 liters of kefir and plums to taste.
Kefir diet for 9 days
The most persistent choice. It's boring to eat only meat or white cheese every day, but in order not to make new things every day, I use the 3-day menu as a basis and use them alternately. For example, like this:
Day 1, 4, 7
- breakfast:Oatmeal, eggs, honey tea.
- dinner:Stew, vegetable salad.
- dinner:Vegetables, dried fruits.
- snack:Kefir, apple.
Day 2, 5, 8
- breakfast:Toast and rosehip broth.
- dinner:Boiled fish with vegetables.
- dinner:An apple, a slice of low-fat cheese.
- snack:Kefir, cheese.
Days 3, 6, and 9
- breakfast:Steamed egg rolls, green tea.
- dinner:Chicken broth, salad, a slice of black bread.
- dinner:Steamed fish, buckwheat porridge.
- snack:Kefir.
Recipe: Kefir with cinnamon and ginger
Most importantly, as a rule, those who eat kefir to lose weight do not have enough candies. A simple recipe will help: add cinnamon and ginger to the kefir. Ginger has warming and fat-burning properties, while the smell and taste of cinnamon is pleasant. The ready-made mixture can be drunk in the morning to increase vitality, in the evening to start the debugging process of the digestive tract work, or it can be taken with you on the go.
raw material:
- Kefir 500 ml
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Other spices: cloves, pepper.
Mix the kefir and spices with a whisk or a mixer, and pour it into a small bottle. Drinks must be consumed on the same day. If your stomach is sensitive or the lining of your intestines is damaged, be careful with chili peppers and other brightly colored spices.
How to properly end the kefir diet
Nutritionists warn: the kefir diet is suitable for absolutely healthy people, without slight signs of gastrointestinal problems and eating disorders.
Even they will experience unpleasant symptoms such as stomach pain, and will almost inevitably regain the weight they have lost, just like any short-term effective high-pressure diet.
In order to avoid immediate weight rebound, smoothly withdraw from the diet. Continue to eat small amounts and limit the total calorie intake to 1000-1500 kcal for at least one week. Continue to drink at least 1. 5 liters of water a day, and avoid starchy foods, heavy foods, and greasy foods for at least 2 weeks. It is best to use light soups, vegetable salads, grains, and boiled meat as the basis for your diet. Introduce other products gradually, with one product every 2-3 days.
Why does kefir have a bad diet
In the long run, any diet that severely restricts dietary diversity is unlikely to be beneficial. The daily kefir diet is definitely not suitable. It does more harm than good to three types of people.
- People suffering from diseases and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and lactose intolerance. Kefir can cause diarrhea and dehydration, stomach pain, and flatulence. The ethanol in the composition is also harmful to the intestinal mucosa.
- Children, pregnant women and breastfeeding women. Variety of food is very important to them. Depriving the body of fat and carbohydrates, even for a few days, also means inhibiting development and growth.
- People with eating disorders. To be honest, few people are keen on the taste of kefir without additives. You will have to literally force yourself to drink it. If this situation continues for more than a few days, the probability of failure will increase exponentially.
Advantages of the kefir diet
Simple, efficient, large amount of liquid. Potential gastrointestinal and microbiota benefits. A large amount of calcium is beneficial to the condition of bones, nails and teeth.
Disadvantages of the kefir diet
Nutrient deficiency, lack of vitamins and taste cause stress on the body. It may be indigestion, flatulence, constipation or diarrhea, stomach upset. Increased acidity of the product can worsen the condition of people with gout, rheumatism, and gastric juice with high acidity.