Whether for weight loss, eliminating excess, skin problems, or an express detox, Paris-based naturopathic doctor Mary Capelle regularly follows a mono diet and recommends it to her clients. She tells us all we need to know about this dietary practice, which consists of eating just one food (fruit, vegetable, or cereal) for a period of time) for a set period of time, be it one meal or several days. Her trick? Follow a mono-diet once every week, of broccoli or collagen broth to eliminate excess.
Why do a mono diet?
"Every day, we need to consume a certain amount of calories. The excess, and therefore the extra calories taken in, are stored as fat. These excesses cause clogging which prevents cell regeneration and the efficient elimination of toxins. In this way, a mono diet provides benefits similar to fasting, but in a gentler way, without the curative crises and contraindications of fasting.
What are the benefits of a mono diet?
- The digestive system is put to rest. The energy normally used for digestion is then available for the body to regenerate.
- Detoxification and elimination of toxins
- Weight loss
- Better transit and less bloating
- Increased energy
- Reduced body acidity
- Improved skin problems (acne, eczema, etc.)".
How often is it recommended?
“Depending on the desired objective, one evening a week after overindulgence, or to get the week off to a good start. It can also be done over a whole day or several days to cleanse the body.”
What are the benefits of the most popular single diets?
"Green vegetables: broccoli, zucchini, asparagus, artichoke, fennel...
Detoxifying is very effective for weight loss or to compensate for dietary imbalances. Purifying for the digestive system. This is the mono diet I prefer and recommend most to my clients. It's the least high in sugar.
Sweet apples and applesauce
Anti-rheumatic, diuretic, mild laxative, muscle tonic, lowers bad cholesterol, gastric protector and intestinal antiseptic. I like to add cinnamon to lower the glycemic index.
Rice, buckwheat, millet, quinoa
Warms, tones, yanguizes, deacidifies. Ideal in winter, chew well. Stabilizes blood sugar levels. Avoid if weight loss is the goal.
Vegetable soups and broths/collagen broths
Versatile, warming, gentle detox. Collagen broth gives you beautiful skin."
How to consume the food in question?
"The food should be consumed without any added ingredients such as butter, oil or sugar. However, you can add spices and herbs (parsley, chives, mint, coriander, marjoram, oregano, turmeric, etc.). Ideally, the food should be eaten raw or steamed, to get the most out of its nutrients."
How much to eat?
"As much as you like, until you're completely satiated. Be careful, however, with fruit mono-diets, which are often too high in sugar."
What are the contraindications?
"Single diets should be avoided by children, pregnant and breast-feeding women, the very elderly and devitalized, or in cases of pathology. Ideally, you should always ask your doctor or naturopath for advice beforehand, as they will be able to recommend a suitable mono-diet as well as its duration."
This story first appeared on vogue.fr
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