F-PLAN DIET
Not the X-Files, but the F-Plan- this diet was created by Audrey Eyton out of Britain who believes that A high fiber and carb diet, yet low in fat is the way to lose weight effectively. Eating high-fiber foods will cause you to intake less calories overall, and improve your digestive system. Those that suffer from constipation will find this diet to be a ‘relief’ from typical eating habits.
Foods Emphasized: High-fiber foods like bran, brown rice, oatmeal, vegetables, and other low-fat foods
Foods Discouraged: Processed and refined foods such as cookies flour, breads, cakes, white rice, and crackers, and high-fat foods such as whole milk, butter, creams and cheeses
Premise and Guidelines: The F-Plan Diet book was originally published in 1982 by British author Audrey Eyton. It marked the first time a high-fiber weight loss diet was ever published. According to the author, eating high-fiber provides bulk, and your stomach will fill up quicker, causing you to eat less during the day. She also mentions fiber’s role in preventing diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
Eyton's plan is basically a low-fat and high-carb diet, which is a different approach from most of the diets on the market today. not only is it low in fat, but also in calories, as she recommends restricting calories to 1000 or less calories a day. This could be too restrictive for some people, and in combination with the bulky fiber intake, a dieter could be uncomfortable for a few days.
The positive part of this diet is the emphasis on fiber. Fiber has multiple health benefits that increasing your consumption is a healthy decision. Fiber helps alleviate constipation, protect against certain cancers, reduce LDL cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar. Some great sources of fiber are black beans, peas, bran, broccoli, and sweet potatoes.
If you have not eaten a high-fiber diet before, you need to know about the effects of a fiber-rich diet. Several dieters reported excessive flatulence in the first phase of eating the high amount of fiber. This should dissipate within a few weeks. Also, be sure to drink more water than usual, in order to accommodate and flush out the fiber.