The Every Other Day Diet is a unique approach to dieting where dieters switch between an extremely calorically restrictive days and days of normal eating. This diet was created by kidney specialist Dr. John Daugirdas. The benefit of switching between normal calorie days and very low-calorie days, according to Dr. Daugirdas, is that the body will avoid going into starvation mode.
On low-calorie days, dieters will eat around 300 calories per day. This number can be increased to 400 calories per day if the dieter exercises on these low-calorie days. On the normal days, female dieters will eat 1200 to 1800 calories per day. Here is a sample menu plan.
Low Calorie Day
Breakfast: Six-oz glass of tomato juice with 1 small slice of deli meat and ½ cup of strawberries
Morning snack: A smoothie made from a cup of water, 3 ice cubes, 1 tbsp of whey protein and ¼ cup of mixed berries
Lunch: Six-oz cup of tomato juice with 1 oz of low fat cheese and ½ cup of pickles
Afternoon snack: One stalk of celery topped with 1 tbsp of calorie-free salad dressing
Dinner: A three egg white omelet prepared with onions, green peppers and mushrooms. Enjoy this omelet with ½ cup of strawberries
Evening snack: Smoothie with whey protein. Enjoy this with a cup of mixed vegetables
Normal Calorie Day
Breakfast: English muffin topped with 2 ¼ tsp of peanut butter. Enjoy this with 2/3 cup of fat free yogurt and one small banana
Snack: One reduced fat string cheese stick with 3 saltines
Lunch: Whole-wheat wrap topped with 3 tbsp of hummus, lettuce and tomato. Enjoy this wrap with ½ cup of applesauce and 1 cup of low fat yogurt
Afternoon snack: 15 almonds
Dinner: 3 oz of boneless, skinless chicken breast. Serve this with 2/3 cup of couscous and a cup of broccoli.
Evening snack: Two large graham cracker squares topped with 1 tbsp of peanut butter
Low Calorie Day
Breakfast: Six-oz. glass of tomato juice and serve that with 1 oz of protein and ½ serving of fruit
Snack: Low-calorie smoothie made with water and ice, 1 tbsp of whey protein and ¼ of a serving of fruit
Lunch: Six-oz. glass of tomato juice with 1 oz of protein
Afternoon snack: Anything that is under 50 calories
Dinner: Focus this meal around protein, fruit and vegetables. Aim for a meal that has no more than 100 calories
Evening snack: Repeat your morning smoothie along with a serving of vegetables
Normal Calorie Day
Breakfast: Toasted whole-wheat English muffin topped with 1 tbsp of peanut butter and 1/4 cup sliced banana. Enjoy this breakfast with 20 blueberries
Morning snack: Three rye crackers topped with 2 tbsp of light cheese
Lunch: Cup of vegetable beef soup with 6 whole wheat cracks and a piece of fresh fruit
Afternoon snack: One oz. of dark chocolate with 5 to 6 medium strawberries
Dinner: Broil or grill 4 oz. flank steak seasoned with salt and pepper. While steak is cooking, saute together 3/4 sliced bell pepper, 1/4 onion sliced, 1 tbsp hoisin sauce, 2 tsp red wine and 1 tsp olive oil. Enjoy steak with the pepper mixture on the side
Evening snack: Low-fat popcorn and season with some low calorie butter-flavored spray and some savory herbs
