- Useful Properties
- Preparation
- Variations
- Precautions
No holiday table is complete without kiwi: fruit salads, cocktails, and berry mousses. And we are interested in its slimming properties. Nutritionists have long since included the Chinese gooseberry, as it is also called, on the list of “healthy” foods. We will talk about fasting days.
Useful Properties
This berry is native to China. The wild ancestor of modern plants was brought to New Zealand, where after selective breeding it acquired the taste and appearance we are familiar with. The fruits are valued for their unusual taste, a mixture of gooseberry, banana, melon, strawberry, apple, and pineapple. Their use lies in their unique composition and calorie content.
Low calorie content
100 g contains only 50 kcal. This equates to zero calories. All energy is spent on digestion. Thanks to this, kiwi can be eaten in unlimited quantities without fear of gaining extra pounds. For a fasting day it is usually recommended to eat 1 kg. This is only 500 kcal.
Biologically active substances
Contains a unique enzyme actinidin, which is similar in properties to digestive enzymes. It breaks down proteins and speeds up metabolism. Fat stores are utilized faster, and weight goes away. Kiwi is very beneficial to combine with meat and other “heavy” foods.
Dietary fiber
They are poorly digested. Passing through the intestines, they “capture” various toxins that accumulate there due to improper nutrition. When losing weight, the amount of these harmful substances increases. After their removal, digestion improves, the body is cleansed, and bloating goes away.
Biochemical treasure
Everyone knows about the benefits of vitamins and minerals. Now let’s look at what kiwi stands out from the general range of fruits and berries:
- Huge amount of vitamin C. It contains the daily norm per 100 g. This exceeds its content in all citrus fruits and bell peppers. It has no direct relation to weight loss, but this “bonus” is very useful for immunity.
- Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that slows down the aging process and prevents the formation of atypical tumor cells. It is found in high-calorie foods such as eggs, nuts, and fatty fish. People who follow their figure usually do not eat these products, which leads to a deficiency of vitamin E. Kiwi is able to solve this problem.
- Nicotinic acid (PP) lowers the level of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood. This is vital for those with severe forms of obesity (prevention of heart attacks, strokes, diabetes).
- Of the trace elements, iodine is especially important for those losing weight. It is necessary for the functioning of the thyroid gland, without which normal weight regulation is impossible.
The composition is also rich in vitamins A, group B (B1, B6, B12, B5), calcium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Such diversity and low calorie content guarantee excellent weight loss results without harm to health. After all, the main reason that nutritionists do not recommend going on diets is a lack of nutrients.
Preparation
Proper preparation is important to achieve maximum results (you can lose up to 1.5 kg per day):
- On the eve of the fasting day, we stop eating fatty and “harmful” foods (excluding foods with dyes, preservatives, fried or smoked foods).
- The last meal should be no later than 18:00, preferably just a glass of kefir.
- Prepare 2 liters of still mineral water and 1 kg of kiwi in advance.
How to choose a good product?
Surely, each of us has at least once in our life bought an unripe kiwi. How disappointing it is when instead of an appetizing sweet delicacy you get something that goes straight to the trash! To avoid such mistakes in the future, remember these simple rules:
- Choose the middle ground for the density: too hard is unripe, very soft is overripe or even spoiled.
- Color: pay attention to a uniform green protective color and slight fuzz. If there are dark spots or uneven “hair”, it is better to refrain from buying.
- Smell: fresh fruit has no smell. With prolonged storage, a “wine” aroma appears, which indicates spoilage.
- Pay special attention to the place where the stalk was attached. If a drop of juice appears when pressed, then it was stored incorrectly.
- Additional coating: it should not be! This indicates mold.
Finally, it is better to buy fruit by weight than in prepackaged containers. They are more expensive for a reason. Selling prepackaged fruits, sellers can more easily hide spoiled fruits.
Variations
Option 1. Basic
The classic kiwi fasting day consists of the following menu:
- Kiwi – 1 kg.
- Skinless chicken breast – 1 pc.
- Still water and green tea – 2 liters.
It is better to boil the meat in the morning of the day. Divide the food into 6 equal portions. This will be your meal plan, eaten every 2 hours. In between, drink water and tea without sugar.
Why chicken breast?
- It is almost pure protein, which is guaranteed not to be deposited as body fat.
- Protein takes longer to digest and creates a long-lasting feeling of satiety.
- It also serves as an excellent building material for muscle tissue. If you regularly have such fasting days and combine them with exercise, you can lose 4-6 kg per month and make your figure slim and fit.
How often can you have a fasting day? Nutritionists usually recommend once a week. If this is done more often, the body will experience stress, which can lead to “failure” and weight gain.
Option 2. With kiwi and kefir
Kefir is added to the menu instead of meat.
- It contains the same amount of protein.
- It normalizes bowel function and improves beneficial microflora.
- It has a pronounced diuretic effect, which contributes to enhanced weight loss.
It is recommended to drink up to 1 liter of kefir per day. You can also mix part of it with chopped fruit, making a cocktail. As a result, you will lose 1 kg per day.
Option 3. With kiwi and apples
This recipe is suitable for those who like to diversify their menu. Apples can be eaten raw or baked (of course, without sugar). They contain more carbohydrates, which will be a plus for those with a sweet tooth.
Recipe: combine the products in equal quantities (0.5 kg each, maybe a little more) in any way you like. The main thing is to eat 5-6 times a day and drink plenty of still water or green tea without sugar in between meals.
Option 4. With kiwi and cucumbers
Cucumber fasting days are very effective on their own. After all, these vegetables are unrivaled in calorie content (only 14 kcal per 100 g). They consist of water (95%) and fiber, which is important for cleansing the body of toxins. Do not worry that the dietary fiber will not cope with the absorption of toxins. The liquid that comes with it will do it for you. As a result, you can get rid of 1-1.2 kg of excess weight.
