Hitoshi Watanabe and his wife Sumiko created The Morning Banana Diet. This diet has become so popular in Japan, that it caused a nationwide banana shortage.
The Morning Banana Diet Basics
The Morning Banana Diet claims that eating only bananas, and drinking room temperature water for breakfast, will result in weight loss. The diet is very simple and easy to follow.
Other reasons this diet may work is, eating bananas improves digestion and boosts metabolism. Also, bananas contain high amounts of resistant starch that can promote the feeling of fullness. The reason the water needs to be at room temperature is not known, and has come under much speculation on the Internet.
Dieters are also advised to eat their evening meal before 8 pm, and desserts must not be eaten after dinner. If you are feeling hungry, then fruits can be eaten. Late night eating must also be avoided. The dieter must go to bed by midnight.
Dairy products and alcohol are not allowed. The only beverage that can be taken with meals is room temperature water.
Recommended Foods
Bananas must be raw, not cooked and not frozen.
Sample Diet Plan
Breakfast
One or more bananas
One glass of room temperature water
Lunch
Meal of choice
Afternoon Snack
A small sweet snack can be eaten around 3 pm if hungry
Dinner
Meal of choice, but must be eaten before 8 pm
No dessert is allowed
Exercise Recommendations
Dieters are advised to exercise only if they want to.
Pros
- Eating bananas for breakfast every day may increase metabolism
- Avoiding caffeine at breakfast can result in stable blood glucose levels, and reduces appetite
- Not eating after 8 pm will decrease the tendency for late night snacking on high calorie foods
- Fat and sugar intake can be limited by avoiding dairy products and desserts
- Bananas are rich in fiber, vitamins B6 and C, and potassium
- This diet discourages overeating
Cons
- Some dieters may not respond well to a pure carbohydrate breakfast
- Dieters can easily consume excess calories if they eat whatever they like for lunch and dinner
- The diet does not encourage exercise
Conclusions
If dieters are experiencing success on this diet, it is due to eating only at specific times of the day and avoiding dairy products and desserts. This will result in a reduction of calories that will promote weight loss. Not from any special qualities of bananas. |
