Volumetrics, as the name would suggest, is a diet that focuses on weight loss based on the volume of food a person eats, but it has heart-health benefits because of the foods in the plan.
Eating the right foods helps prevent the risk of heart disease even if you eat a lot of them.
Nutritional scientist and professor Dr. Barbara Rolls created the diet to allow plenty of healthy foods that have fewer calories than other foods.
Some people on the diet find themselves eating more while still shedding pounds,
WebMD notes.
Rolls' method emphasizes foods low in energy density (calories) that people can eat a lot and feel full without consuming so many calories.
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Here are nine things you should know about the Volumetrics diet:
1. Fruits, vegetables, and broth-based soups are included in the first of four categories in the diet. These foods can be eaten anytime, WebMD explains.
2. Category 2 foods allow moderate amounts of lean protein, legumes, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains. Whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat bread, and brown rice are examples of whole grains that offer a feeling of fullness without weight gain.
3. Small portions of breads, cheeses, fat-free snacks, and even some high-fat meats are allowed in Category 3.
4. The fourth category allows some portions of fried foods, candy, cookies, and nuts once in a while.
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5. The plan promotes heart health because weight loss reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, registered dietitian Kathleen Zelman tells WebMD.
6. Volumetrics was ranked fifth out of 38 diets in the “best diets for healthy eating”
by experts in U.S. News and World Reports. It was ranked No. 13 for the “best heart-healthy diets.” U.S. News and World Reports says the Volumetrics diet is filling and unlimited in the types of foods.
7. Simple recipes are provided for the plan, but some people might find the home-cooked meals time-consuming,
Healthline points out.
8. Keeping daily records of foods and calories consumed is encouraged, but the plan also offers guidance on how to stay on the recommended number of calories.
9. Exercising is part of the program. People on the Volumetrics diet are advised to exercise 30 to 60 minutes a day on most days of the week for heart health.
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