Are you familiar with the chicken and broccoli diet?
The Chicken and Broccoli Diet is a low-calorie, high-protein diet that has been shown to be effective for weight loss. It is based on the idea that eating lean protein and vegetables will help you feel full and satisfied while also helping you burn fat.
The creator of this diet plan claims that you can lose extra weight even without exercise. The main ingredients of this diet plan are chicken and broccoli.
What is the Chicken and Broccoli Diet?
As mentioned above, the primary ingredients of this diet plan are chicken and broccoli. Chicken is rich in protein, while broccoli is a vegetable loaded with essential vitamins and minerals as well as dietary fibers.
As the name of the diet plan implies, it does not include carbohydrates. This can be the secret to why it is being used to lose weight (1). During the initial stage, weight loss is noticeable as a result of water loss. However, as you progress with the diet plan, you will see excellent results. The fat stored beneath your skin is burnt and converted into energy.
Eating chicken and broccoli alone isn’t healthy, especially when it is practiced for a long time. The absence of carbohydrates can cause adverse effects on your body, such as feeling too tired and lethargic.
Many people who have been following this diet plan fail as they can’t tolerate eating just two food items for all their meals.
Variations in the preparation of chicken and broccoli can make this diet palatable. For chicken, you can prepare it in many ways, such as boiled, fried, roasted, or included in soup. The same applies to broccoli.
Boiling broccoli is not a good idea because the nutrients are reduced. Instead, you can prepare broccoli by stir-frying, microwaving, or steaming.
Chicken and Broccoli Diet Plan
The chicken and broccoli diet plan should be implemented only within 10 days. A single menu should be used for two days. That’s why in 10 days, you’ll need to follow 5 different menus for three mealtimes. You can drink water, tea, or unsweetened coffee.
Day 1 and 2
Breakfast
- 50 g whole wheat bread
- 200 g cooked broccoli
- A cup of unsweetened black tea
Lunch
- 150 g cooked chicken
- 100 g cooked broccoli
- 250 ml of chicken soup
Dinner
- 250 g cooked broccoli and salt to taste
- A cup of unsweetened black tea
Day 3 and 4
Breakfast
- 200 g of broccoli simmered in olive oil with garlic and bell pepper
Lunch
- 150 g of broccoli with 50 g of tuna simmered in olive oil, add 2 medium tomatoes and 1 medium onion
Dinner
- Same as breakfast
Day 5 and 6
Breakfast
- Salad made of 2 tbsp low-fat soured milk and 100 g cooked broccoli
- 100 g cooked lean beef
Lunch
- 1 slice of whole-wheat bread
- 200 g broccoli boiled in salted water
Dinner
- 1 cup low-fat soured milk
- 150 g cooked lean beef
Days 7 and 8
Breakfast
- 1 cup unsweetened black tea
- 2 boiled eggs
- 100 g cooked broccoli
Lunch
- 100 g cooked broccoli
- 150g cooked chicken
- 250 ml chicken soup, slightly salted
Dinner
- 1 cup unsweetened black tea
- 250 g cooked broccoli
Days 9 and 10
Breakfast
- 2 boiled carrots
- 100 g cooked broccoli, salted
Lunch
- 1 slice of whole-wheat bread
- 100 g cooked fish
- 100 g cooked broccoli, salted
Dinner
- 1 potato, cooked
- 200 g broccoli, cooked with a pinch of salt
This diet plan for many may not be delicious, but it gives better results. All you have to do is to be disciplined and follow the plan diligently. The broccoli won’t only help you lose weight but also detox your body.
If you eat chicken and broccoli to achieve your goal of losing weight, make sure to follow the diet plan and the required servings. Likewise, you should use a cooking technique that does not require oil.
As much as possible, you should choose skinless roasted chicken breast as it contains fewer calories. Likewise, raw broccoli also contains fewer calories.
Both broccoli and chicken are nutritious and beneficial to weight loss. The chicken is rich in lean protein that makes you feel satiated and full, thus preventing hunger pangs. In a study held by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, skinless chicken prevents gaining weight.
You should also avoid using sauces on chicken and broccoli as they can add calories. Instead, you can enhance the taste by adding fresh herbs and cracked pepper.
Benefits of the Chicken and Broccoli Diet
The biggest benefit of this diet plan is that it is a perfect detox plan. It is recommended for smokers as it can clean up the nicotine and other toxins that build up in the body.
One of the two primary food sources in the diet, chicken, is high in protein and low in carbs. According to studies, eating a lot of protein might help you lose weight.
- Because it’s a low-carbohydrate diet, it may help you lose any water weight or bloating you’ve been carrying.
- Broccoli provides the body with several necessary vitamins and minerals when consumed.
- The diet excludes junk food and sweets, as well as any empty calories that do not deliver nourishment.
- Protein-rich foods, like chicken in this example, keep you fuller for longer, making you less prone to snack between meals.
- It is recommended for smokers as it can clean up the nicotine and other toxins that build up in the body.
- Chicken and broccoli are good sources of vitamins A, B, E1, B2, C, and PP as well as magnesium, iron, folic acid, sodium, and a considerable amount of fiber.
- Pregnant women should also consume broccoli because it is the best source of folic acid which is essential during pregnancy.
Disadvantages of a Chicken and broccoli diet
- The diet’s monotony is one of its most serious flaws. Despite the variety of methods to prepare the meals, eating solely chicken and broccoli every day might become tedious.
- There is a substantial danger of psychological deprivation and meals on a limited diet that permits only two or three food sources.
- Broccoli and chicken are both poor in fiber, and the diet does not provide the daily content needed to maintain a healthy digestive tract and blood sugar levels.
- It has been stated that commercially raised chicken is injected with excessive amounts of antibiotics and synthetic hormones. In such instances, consuming a large amount of chicken may lead to antibiotic resistance.
- If you follow the chicken and broccoli diet, you should be aware that broccoli is rich in fiber. You should expect that you may experience gases, diarrhea, and nausea.
- It can also prevent the absorption of certain minerals such as zinc and iron.
Alternatives to the Chicken and Broccoli Diet That Aren’t So Bad
There are healthy alternatives to the classic chicken, rice, and broccoli diet, so you may continue to enjoy these three foods without becoming bored or hungry.
To replace the chicken, rice, and broccoli diet, try these nutritious alternatives:
- Calorie Reduction in Moderate Amounts
You’re less likely to slow down your metabolism by cutting your calorie intake somewhat, as opposed to more drastic calorie restrictions. As a consequence, lowering your daily caloric intake by 250–500 calories would be optimal for greater outcomes. This might entail eating 5-6 smaller meals or snacks throughout the day rather than three larger meals.
- Well-balanced meals
Your body needs a well-balanced diet that includes protein, carbs, and fat to function correctly. Carbohydrates offer the glucose (energy) that our systems require, while proteins aid in muscle repair and fats serve a variety of purposes.
- Variety
It will be simpler to stick to your diet if you vary your meals every day. It also promotes the intake of a variety of meals, which are more effective in weight loss than eating chicken, rice, and broccoli for seven days in a row. This isn’t to say that for a week you should just eat salads and drink juice. Simple uncomplicated dishes may be used to change up your everyday meals while still including the three key sources of lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fat.
- Indulging in Treats on Occasion
You won’t feel deprived of this diet plan if you allow yourself a cheat meal once or twice a week, and you could even enjoy it more than if you followed it every day. You must remind yourself that “a cheat meal is just that — a reward in moderation,” despite how tough it may seem. You can eat everything you want, even junk food, as long as you limit yourself to tiny quantities.
- Increasing the amount of weight you lift
Lifting weights is an excellent strategy to boost your metabolism and shed pounds. You may also tone and define your muscles by lifting weights that are difficult for you, which reduces body fat and improves muscle mass, resulting in weight reduction.
- Performing Cardio Exercises Frequently
Cardiovascular exercise aids in the burning of calories while also boosting cardiovascular health. It should be done at least three times a week because it helps to burn more calories than just muscle training. Depending on your present ability, you can select among activities such as running or walking. Running, on the other hand, is highly recommended since it improves endurance faster than any other kind of cardio.
FAQs: Chicken and Broccoli Diet
If I just eat chicken and broccoli, what will happen?
Is the Broccoli and Chicken Breast Diet Effective? This diet has an extremely low-calorie intake, which causes practically everyone who follows this meal pattern to lose weight. Many people, however, will lose water weight rather than fat mass as a result of a calorie deficit.
Is it possible to live off chicken and broccoli alone?
For a short period, you may eat solely chicken and broccoli since they are low-calorie dense, provide a lot of satisfaction, and help you lose weight. Short-term weight loss and better body composition can be achieved by eating solely chicken and broccoli.
Is it possible to gain muscle with chicken and broccoli?
Rice, chicken, and broccoli are a common combo for bodybuilders’ meals. It is a straightforward but efficient dinner. The advantages are straightforward: it helps the body bulk up and recharge a lot of energy.
If you just eat chicken and veggies, what happens?
A poultry, vegetable, and fruit-focused diet can help you lose weight, but only if you consume fewer calories than you expend. These meals don’t have any special ingredients that can help you lose weight.
Is it possible to shed pounds only by eating broccoli?
Nutritional supplement: Broccoli is an excellent food with a lot of fiber, which helps with digestion, reduces constipation, keeps blood sugar levels low, and helps you stop overeating. Broccoli is also beneficial for weight loss due to its high fiber content.
Conclusion
While following this diet for a short period may result in weight reduction, it may not provide you with enough nutrients for a balanced diet. Additionally, the boredom of eating solely broccoli and chicken for lengthy periods may lead to meal eating.
Incorporate a larger range of veggies, cereals, and meats in the long run if you follow this diet in the short term for a more sustainable and balanced weight reduction journey.
Before starting any new diet, it’s usually a good idea to speak with a competent nutritionist about your specific weight and fitness objectives.
is a registered dietitian with over 10 years of experience in the field of nutrition. She has a Master’s degree in Nutritional Science from Dhaka University and has worked with various clients to help them achieve their health goals through personalized diet plans. Mounota is passionate about educating people on the benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle and has written extensively on the subject for various publications.
Leave a Reply