Cucumber Diet | Review + Meal Plan

cucumber diet

One of the great things about the cucumber diet is that it has so many health benefits.

Cucumbers are a good source of vitamins A, B6 and C, as well as potassium and magnesium. This means that they can help improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Cucumbers can also help boost your metabolism and promote weight loss.

They are low in calories and high in water content, so they can help you feel fuller for longer. This makes them a great snack option if you are trying to lose weight.

The cucumber diet is a well-known diet plan that has been around for quite some time now.

It originated from Dr. Ian Smith, a weight loss specialist.

He has helped many overweight people achieve their ideal weight.

So how does it work?

The cucumber diet involves eating cucumber and drinking cucumber juice for a whole week, as the main food. Yikes!

But the result is astonishing: A whole pound of weight loss per day.

This is what makes the Cucumber Diet so popular with those who try it.

Let’s take a look at how this diet program works from start to finish, as well as the pros and cons of following this diet plan.

What Is The Cucumber Diet? Overview

Dr. Ian Smith’s Cucumber Diet is a 7-Day, intermittent diet plan used to help you lose weight and achieve a healthier lifestyle.

During a typical day on the diet, you start off by eating one cucumber for breakfast, another one for lunch, and yet another one for dinner.

The best thing about this diet is that it allows you to eat as much fruit as you want during the day.

In addition to all the cucumber juice and fruits, you can also drink as much water as you need throughout the day.

This diet plan includes a lot of fiber from fruits and vegetables, which is very good for people who are trying to lose weight.

In fact, this is what makes this diet plan so unique.

It allows you to eat a lot of fiber in a short period of time without putting too much strain on your body.

Many other diets have you eating a lot less food, which really limits the amount of fiber you can consume in one day.

On top of all that, by sticking to this diet for a week at a time, you will gradually start seeing results in the form of weight loss.

In addition, this diet plan has been known to help people quit smoking.

The reason why that happens is that it lowers your body weight and eventually the weight of your lungs.

Does it sound a bit too good to be true? It’s not!

We will explain how each part of this diet plan interacts with the other parts, keeping it a very safe diet for you to follow.

The cucumber diet is based on one of nature’s healthiest foods: cucumbers.

In fact, it’s all about eating cucumbers for breakfast, lunch, and dinner accompanied with other food groups except carbs.

You can include it in salads, snacks and even shakes and juices.

During this time where you’ll be on a cucumber diet, you will be cutting most of your calorie intake.

It will make you feel healthier and help with weight loss.

With that said, the cucumber diet SHOULD NOT be used as a long-term method for losing weight.

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cucumber diet

Cucumber For Health

First off, let’s take a look at the science behind the cucumber diet and some of the other health benefits of eating cucumbers for weight loss.

Cucumbers are an excellent source of fiber, rich in vitamins and minerals, and high in water content.

They’re also low on the glycemic index (GI) spectrum making them a great addition to the diet for weight loss purposes.

With the cucumber diet plan, you’re looking at a way of eating healthier…not just for weight loss, but also for better health and longevity.

Cucumbers have been found to help treat high blood pressure and other heart conditions…as well as some kidney ailments.

It’s important to remember that cucumber slices alone won’t cure these problems, but they will help prevent them from getting worse or increasing in severity.

Cucumbers are a low-calorie food that contains no cholesterol.

As a result, they’re one of the most ideal foods for your health…even if you have other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease.

In addition to being low in calories and fat content, you’ll also find that cucumbers are rich in Vitamin C and folic acid.

This is another reason why they’re so good for your overall health…especially your heart.

For anyone who wants to reduce their risk of developing heart disease or diabetes…the cucumber diet plan may be just the answer you’ve been looking for.

How Do You Decide When Cucumbers Are The Right Time To Add The To Your Diet?

  • For one thing, they’re a good source of water, which we know can help keep appetite levels under control.
  • Cucumbers contain both sodium and potassium. This makes them an excellent addition to low-sodium and low-potassium diets
  • Foods like cucumbers are also good for maintaining a healthy heart and blood pressure level.

Pros Of The Cucumber Diet

There are several reasons why cucumbers make great food for a healthy diet: they are full of nutrients, low in calories, and fat-free!

This is not only great for those trying to lose weight but also for those who do not have many restrictions on their diets.

So what are the benefits of the Cucumber Diet? Here are just a few of them:

Low In Calories, Fat & Sodium

This means you can eat as much of these refreshing fruits as you want without worrying about gaining more weight or feeling tired all the time.

Rich In Fiber

What does this mean for us?

It means you get all the vitamins, minerals, and proteins that your body needs.

Studies have proven that having a diet rich in fiber increases your metabolism by more than 5%!

By eating more fiber, you will start burning calories faster which is very healthy for your body.

Help Lower Blood Pressure

Especially if your sodium level is high, try to eat more of these fruits and see the difference for yourself!

Weight Loss

You probably already know that fiber helps you burn calories faster and by eating these fruits on a daily basis your body will stay healthy and fit.

Treat Diarrhoea

This is not proven but many people say that cucumber juice has helped them with this problem.

If you or someone close to you suffers from diarrhea or other stomach problems, try it out and see what happens!

They contain natural diuretics.

A diuretic is a substance that helps you get rid of excess water from your body.

The water will be flushed out of the body through urination.

Also, many cucumbers are chock full of antioxidants which are great for your liver, heart, and other organs.

They contain vitamin B6 which is used by the body to produce niacin, the chemical compound that helps boost energy levels and suppress appetite.

Niacin can also help lower cholesterol levels in the blood, so this is an important factor for smokers who still suffer from high blood pressure.

Vision Improvement

When you add enough cucumber juice to your diet, you will start seeing a difference in your eyesight.

The folic acid and vitamins A and C in cucumbers have been shown to have a positive effect on eye health.

They are low in calories but rich in nutrients, especially vitamins, which is a great way for a dieter to lose weight without trying to cut calories from other food sources.

They are loaded with antioxidants that can help lower cholesterol levels and fight free radicals that cause damage inside cells.

Cons of The Cucumber Diet

You might be asking if his diet is safe to do. The cucumber diet is very safe, as long as you do it for a short-term period.

Remember that this type of diet is like an “SOS Diet” and is not meant for extended periods because of inadequate nutrients during the diet.

Additionally, it can help with a wide variety of health problems such as sleep problems (including insomnia), high cholesterol, acid reflux, IBS, and arthritis.

There are also several reasons why you should not completely rely on the cucumber diet:

  • It may not be suitable for those who cannot tolerate high levels of sodium. If your blood pressure is already high you should certainly talk to your doctor before consuming large quantities of this vegetable.
  • It can cause gastrointestinal problems in some people if consumed raw. The focus shouldn’t be on the listing of which foods are safe or unsafe during pregnancy but rather on following a healthy diet throughout one’s lifetime.
  • It can cause cramps in some people. Cucumbers contain a chemical called oxalic acid which is known to cause problems for some people in the digestive system, namely cramps.
  • It can make you feel bloated. If you regularly consume cucumber juice or eat cucumbers raw, you may experience bloating because of the high water content that these vegetables have. This can be easily remedied by adding salt into your diet!

The Composition of The Cucumber

First, let’s see the composition of a cucumber so you can have an idea of how the nutrients inside can help you lose weight.

Did you know that cucumbers are considered as fruits also?

Cucumbers are made up of water. Actually, 90% of a cucumber consists of water, making them great for weight loss. Dieters can eat cucumbers as a side dish or as a snack.

The high content of water in cucumbers makes them amazingly refreshing to eat. Some people really binge on them during summer because of their reviving powers.

According to the USDA, one 142-g cup of unpared, raw, chopped cucumber contains the following nutrients:

  • water: 137 g
  • calories: 17
  • protein: 0.8 g
  • fat: 0.2 g
  • carbohydrate: 3.1 g, including 2.0 g of sugar
  • fiber: 1.0 g
  • calcium: 19.9 g
  • iron: 0.3 mg
  • magnesium: 17 mg
  • phosphorus: 29.8 mg
  • potassium: 193 mg
  • sodium: 2.8 mg
  • vitamin C: 4.5 mg
  • folate: 19.9 mcg
  • beta carotene: 44 mcg
  • lutein + zeaxanthin 22.7 mcg
  • vitamin K: 10.2 mcg

And a few of these nutrients play a huge role in weight loss.

This is to say that the cucumber diet can really help you destroy those fat cells quickly.

Cucumbers for Weight Loss

The cucumber diet is an excellent way to lose weight without any struggle; there are plenty of benefits that come with this lifestyle change for your health and waistline.

For these reasons, you should definitely give this diet a try!

The most obvious benefit is weight loss because it’s a low-calorie diet.

You also end up feeling fresher because you’re not consuming any heavy foods or rich sauces during the day to satisfy your hunger.

Some of you may even ask “can cucumber reduce belly fat?”

My answer to this is yes since I have noticed a small difference in my tummy after 7 days on the cucumber diet.

Apologies for not sharing pictures of my belly! (I just don’t like showing off my body) ????

How Does The Cucumber Diet Help You Lose Weight?

  • Firstly, cucumbers are low in calories and contain zero fats. These are two good factors enough to help you lose weight.
  • Cucumbers have a superficial percentage of sugar. Another factor that contributes to weight loss.
  • Their water content helps keep you feeling full, so you’re more likely to avoid snacking or over-indulging in other unhealthy foods.

Water also tends to flush out the toxins in your body, which is beneficial for all of your systems.

  • By eating cucumbers regularly, you may be able to reduce the amount of medication that one typically needs because it’s compatible with so many different kinds of conditions…

How Does The Cucumber Diet Work?

The cucumber diet is a way of eating that can help you lose weight, without counting calories or working out.

Now, this may sound pretty boring compared to other diets out there, but actually, this is not the case!

The cucumber diet works by helping you lose weight and keep it off.

The best part about this diet is that you won’t even have to starve yourself.

The main idea behind the cucumber diet is that the bacterial composition in your body will change; therefore shifting which types of foods (and consequently which types of bacteria) are being used more than others.

The cucumber diet works by gradually adjusting your body and bacteria to become more sour, resulting in less sugar in your system.

As you continue to eat cucumbers, your body will adjust and the bacteria will continue to use more sour foods, which will result in a gradual weight loss.

The spikes in your digestive system’s functioning allow you to lose weight without feeling hungry.

What To Eat During Your Cucumber Diet?

The diet involves eating mainly cucumbers, but with a twist.

If you want to lose weight with this diet, you are totally allowed to eat the cucumbers in various forms.

You can include them in salads for lunch and dinner, as snacks and you can even make your own revitalizing cucumber juices for weight loss.

Since cucumbers have a high water and protein content, they can keep your stomach full for a long period, thus preventing cravings of any kind.

The Cucumber Diet Plan – A 7-Day Sample Menu

Below is a sample menu for a 7-day period. You can also extend your diet up for one more week if you need to. This is the exact menu plan I followed to lose 11 pounds in 7 days.

Just because it’s a cucumber diet, that does not mean if you incorporate other foods in it, you won’t see results.

Au contraire, adding in other nutrients will provide you with the necessary vitamins and minerals your body needs to help combat body fat.

Day 1

  • Breakfast: a slice of whole grain bread with a slice of cheese and cucumber.
  • Snack: a cup of chopped cucumbers with one egg.
  • Lunch: grilled salmon with lemon juice and cucumber salad.
  • Snack: one orange.
  • Dinner: cucumber and snap pea salad.

Day 2

  • Breakfast: pineapple smoothie.
  • Snack: two cucumbers with hummus.
  • Lunch: roast pork and pickled cucumber sandwich.
  • Snack: two cucumbers with half a cup of tuna.
  • Dinner: vegetable salad with broccoli, green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and olive oil.

Day 3

  • Breakfast: spinach, cucumber, apple smoothie.
  • Snack: a cup of chopped cucumbers with flax seeds.
  • Lunch: seared salmon with Israeli couscous cucumber salad.
  • Snack: one big green apple.
  • Dinner: Coriander roasted chicken with chickpea and avocado salad.

Day 4

  • Breakfast: a slice of whole grain bread with a slice of cheese and cucumber.
  • Snack: three cucumbers.
  • Lunch: brown rice with chicken and cucumbers.
  • Snack: one banana.
  • Dinner: spicy hoisin skirt steak with cucumber salad.

Day 5

  • Breakfast: homemade granola with cherries, blueberries and Greek yogurt.
  • Snack: two cucumbers.
  • Lunch: vegetable salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and feta cheese.
  • Snack: honeydew, cucumber, and mint beverage.
  • Dinner: cucumber and charred onion salad.

Day 6

  • Breakfast: spinach, cucumber, apple smoothie.
  • Snack: two cucumbers.
  • Lunch: flatbread with fava beans, cucumbers, and burrata.
  • Snack: cucumber raita with black mustard and cilantro.
  • Dinner: savory peach and cucumber salad.

Day 7

  • Breakfast: homemade granola with honey, roseberries and Greek yogurt.
  • Snack: two cucumbers.
  • Lunch: crisp and crunchy chicken salad with cucumbers and carrots.
  • Snack: two cucumbers with hummus.
  • Dinner: vegetable salad with broccoli, green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and olive oil.

Other Health Benefits You’ll Get From The Cucumber Diet

Eating cucumbers will not only help you drop those extra pounds but will also be conducive to improving your health.

#1 Alleviate Constipation

Cucumbers are famously known as an anti-constipation food.

Being loaded with water and a percentage of fiber, it’s proven that a regular consumption can facilitate your digestion and prevents constipation.

#2 Detoxification

It’s said that 180g of cucumber is equivalent to 170ml of water.

Imagine, you take a few cucumbers per day, this will add to your daily consumption of water.

By doing this, you will be giving your body the opportunity to flush out excess water and toxins. As a result, bloating can be prevented.

#3 Promotes Weight Loss

As we’ve discussed already, cucumbers are great agents that can aid in weight loss.

Being a highly nutritious food, full of water, they have great capabilities to help you shed those extra pounds.

#4 Promotes Skin Health

You may have seen that cucumber is intensively used in the beauty world.

This is simply due to the fact that cucumbers have soothing properties that are beneficial for the skin.

The most common use of cucumbers is to treat swelling, sunburn, skin irritation among others.

The Cucumber Smoothie Recipe You’ve Gotta Try!

Are you exhausted trying the latest diet that ends up giving you more weight?

The answer is simple: cucumber smoothies.

The best idea is to combine a low-calorie diet with this nutritious recipe that can help you lose weight in no time.

Keep on reading to find out how!

What Is The Cucumber Smoothie?

A healthy way of losing weight without changing the tastes you may consider working out and following healthy diets.

The whole idea of this drink is that it includes everything that you need for weight loss.

The combination of low-calorie ingredients might be the factor that can make you change your mind about losing weight.

Besides, cucumbers are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibers which are helpful for your body in more than one way.

Ingredients Needed:

  • 1 cucumber (5″); 1 cup of spinach; 2 tomatoes; 1 cup of water; 1 teaspoon of olive oil.

What Is The Benefit?

This drink is great if you want to combine a healthy diet with a low-calorie recipe.

However, it does not contain fats or less than 100 calories per serving so that you should not worry about gaining weight.

What it does is helping you lose pounds gradually while making body toning possible.

Cucumber Smoothie Recipe

  • You should peel and cut the cucumber in small pieces.
  • Put it in a blender with spinach, tomatoes, water and olive oil and then process them.

The drink is good for your body because it is rich in vitamins, minerals and fibers that you need for a healthier body.

It is easy to prepare and you can have benefits from consuming this natural beverage only once a day.

You may not see the results at once, but only if you do not combine it with a healthy diet. The secret is that you should be patient enough to achieve results.

There are people who had great success after only 2-3 weeks of consuming this smoothie every day.

What Can A Cucumber Smoothie Do?

You may think that this beverage will not help you lose pounds, but it can actually have an effect on your shape at least for some time.

The fiber present in these veggies contributes to curbing your appetite as well as pulling fat from the cells and thus burning it faster.

So, it has a double effect.

Of course, we are not talking about drinking only cucumber smoothies, but also having a low-calorie diet so that the benefits will be better and more effective.

The trick is to combine the two in order to make the best choice.

Final Thoughts On The Cucumber Diet

Based on my personal experience, trying the cucumber diet, I believe that the cucumber diet does work and I would recommend it to people who are looking for a “sos weight loss strategy”.

The main disadvantage is that people can get tired of eating cucumbers all day long so they might quit before they reach their goal weight.

I have tested the cucumber diet to reduce belly fat and managed to lose 5kgs in a week.

So, I highly recommend it if you really need to drop some excess weight quickly.

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