In the last few years, calorie shifting has become a very popular weight loss method. Once pretty much a dieting secret, there are now several calorie shifting diet plans available. But what exactly is calorie shifting? How does it work and what are the benefits?
If you’ve already tried to find out how calorie shifting works, you may have ended up more confused than ever. That’s because the science of calorie shifting is quite simple but the method – how it is put into action – is quite complicated.
Here is a straightforward explanation of calorie shifting, to help you decide if a calorie shifting diet will work for you.
Calorie Shifting Theory
To start with the science, calorie shifting works by constantly changing – literally shifting – calories about so that calorie intakes are never predictable. You do this by eating different types of foods at different times. This keeps your metabolism (your fat-burning engine) revved up and responsive.
At the same time, the “fat-burning hormone” glucagon is kept at peak levels by ensuring a healthy and adequate amount of both carbohydrates and proteins in the diet. This means that calorie-shifting diets are never “low carb”, “low fat” or “high protein”. It also means that they are healthy, and far less likely to leave you feeling tired and drained.
Another great side benefit is that you don’t need to count calories. It is the type and timing of food that matters rather than how much, so you just eat until you are satisfied but not stuffed at each meal.
Best of all, an important part of the constant change is to have days off now and then, when you can eat more or less normally – though not to excess!
As you can see, the calorie shifting theory is simple enough. Putting it into practice is where it gets complicated.
Calorie Shifting in Practice
Information on how to create your own calorie shift diet is likely to leave you with a serious headache. You need to know exactly what to eat, and when. In other words, it helps to be a trained dietitian, mathematician – and extremely patient!
Remember, calorie shifting works through constant change – it is not as simple as figuring out a daily plan and repeating it. You’ll need to figure out a new plan that follows exact rules each and every day.
Planning out what to eat each day is a big challenge in any diet – and a big reason why many diets fail. Having to plan out your day according to complex rules is even harder.
The good news is, there’s no need. It makes way more sense to opt for a ready-made calorie shifting diet plan.
Calorie Shifting Diets
The better calorie shifting diets provide easy to follow guidelines to follow, with the calorie shifting principles built in. They also include some ready-to-go meal plans and recipes, to help you get started.
Some make it simpler yet. For instance, The Idiot Proof Diet – Fat Loss 4 Idiots – includes unlimited access to an online calorie shifting Diet Generator that creates complete 11 day diet plans.
Take a good look at all the features – some calorie shifting diet plans will suit you better than others. For instance they have different schedules for days off and may or may not require some exercise.
For more information, you can read our reviews of the most popular calorie shift diets:
You can compare the days off that each of these diets gives you with our quick comparison chart.
An original article, exclusive to this site
Copyright © 2010 Caroline Mackenzie/TheIdiot-ProofDiet.com
