Has anyone tried the oatmeal diet?

lalalove4

So I started it five days ago, and I was sick of it on day three. I still eat oatmeal for breakfast and luch, but eat a healthy dinner and I could not believe my eyes, but the scale says I have lost 7lbs. Anyone else get fast results from this diet????

happyfeetrebel1

Generally when you start a new diet, you drop a lot of lbs in the first week. Unfortunately, it's also almost always water weight at first. If you are eating less calories than you're taking in, then you'll lose, but that much weight in a week is probably just gonna come back

I love my oatmeal, and eat it frequently, but that much of it would be just too carb intensive for me. I need some protein in there

I wish you the best of luck!

Illona88

Any diet that is based on one food is just bad for you. You will not get all the nutrients you need and you get sick of eating the same food, so you are more likely to give up and eat back your weight.

Just eat varied. As long as you are eating less calories, you will lose weight.

sarah3333

I didn't know there was an oatmeal diet but I eat oatmeal with apples every day for breakfast and oatmeal with pumpkin every day for lunch. I'm in maintenance but I've been doing good on the scale.

Mokey41

Any diet where you (insert food here) isn't going to work and is going to be boring. I have no idea why it's so hard for people to figure out that losing weight comes down to simple calories in/calories out. You only have to eat use more calories in a day than what you eat to lose weight. It can be carrots, oatmeal or Twinkies, there's no magic food that makes you thin.

LoraF83

Any diet where you (insert food here) isn't going to work and is going to be boring. I have no idea why it's so hard for people to figure out that losing weight comes down to simple calories in/calories out. You only have to eat use more calories in a day than what you eat to lose weight. It can be carrots, oatmeal or Twinkies, there's no magic food that makes you thin.

Amen! Unless you have a medical condition that limits your intake of certain food groups (Celiac disease, diabetes, PCOS, etc), just a diet of moderation with a calorie deficit. Try to get most of your calories from nutritious foods and then have some of your calories for "treats." It really is that simple.

Acg67

Seems like an awesome way to be deficient in protein and fats and your micros

Phase One

Dieters eat nothing but oatmeal for the first week.
You can eat ½ cup of oatmeal for each meal, which may be combined with ½ cup of skim milk if desired.
Only whole oatmeal is allowed.
Instant oatmeal and granola bars should be avoided for the first seven days.
Calorie consumption for the first seven days should be between 900-1200 calories per day.

Phase Two

For the next 30 days dieters continue having ½ cup of oatmeal three times a day in addition to their regular diet.
Instant oatmeal is now permitted.
Calories may now be increased slightly to 1000-1300 per day.
A morning snack of ½ cup of fruit and an afternoon snack of ½ cup raw vegetables are allowed.

Phase Three

After 30 days you may begin to eat your normal diet while continuing with one meal and one snack of oatmeal daily.
Dieters are advised to limit their intake of fats when returning to normal eating.

pullipgirl

I could never do this I hate oatmeal

T34418l3angel

Phase One

Dieters eat nothing but oatmeal for the first week.
You can eat ½ cup of oatmeal for each meal, which may be combined with ½ cup of skim milk if desired.
Only whole oatmeal is allowed.
Instant oatmeal and granola bars should be avoided for the first seven days.
Calorie consumption for the first seven days should be between 900-1200 calories per day.

Phase Two

For the next 30 days dieters continue having ½ cup of oatmeal three times a day in addition to their regular diet.
Instant oatmeal is now permitted.
Calories may now be increased slightly to 1000-1300 per day.
A morning snack of ½ cup of fruit and an afternoon snack of ½ cup raw vegetables are allowed.

Phase Three

After 30 days you may begin to eat your normal diet while continuing with one meal and one snack of oatmeal daily.
Dieters are advised to limit their intake of fats when returning to normal eating.

Correct me if I'm wrong but you can eat ice cream and cheese poofs at 900 calories and lose weight too, does it mean it's healthy for you? No!! Stop fad dieting and find out your bmr and tdee and eat accordingly.

JesterMFP

There's nothing special about the oatmeal that makes you lose. It's just another way of restricting your calories, like the Special K diet, or slimfast. They make it easy to restrict your calories because you don't have to make actual choices about what to eat. They might work to drop some pounds, but at some point you're going to have to go back to eating a more varied diet and, faced with the usual temptations, have to make those choices again. These diets don't teach you any good habits for sustainable weight loss, and eating only (or mostly) oatmeal is not going to get you all the nutrients your body needs.

mulderpf

You'll either get sick of lack of nutrients by the end of it or just get sick because you are sick of oatmeal.

I like oatmeal and I get tired just from having it a few days in a row for breakfast. How on earth do they expect anyone to survive when it's their only meal?

This borders on being dangerous and anyone actually following it must be completely nuts!

maryannevitt

I love oatmeal but that diet even the thought of it sorta makes me sick to think about it. i centainly dont know the answer to losing weight but thats not for me!

256Sept12

like others have said, diets where you eat just one food for the most part...don't work in the long run. Its only a quick fix.
Youll get sick of it and when you go back to eating a variety of foods..youll gain weight back.

Eat a variety of foods, watch your calorie and carb intake...and exercise often.

AmyRhubarb

I love oatmeal and eat it for breakfast several times a week, but with nothing but skim milk? *gag* And who wants to eat oatmeal 2 or 3 times a day for the rest of their life to lose or maintain weight? Pass!

I load my oatmeal up with goodness - 1/4 to 1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt, walnuts, honey, cinnamon, and some fruit - raisins, fresh peaches, pears, bananas - whatever I've got on hand. Filling and delicious, and not boring! Although it could be if that's all I ate every day. I alternate my oatmeal mornings with eggs & wheat toast, and sometimes go wild and add bacon or pancakes! And the fat is still coming off.

Down with fad diets! Sustainable lifestyle change for the win!! :drinker: :bigsmile:

lizziebeth1028

Any diet that is based on one food is just bad for you. You will not get all the nutrients you need and you get sick of eating the same food, so you are more likely to give up and eat back your weight.

Just eat varied. As long as you are eating less calories, you will lose weight.

^^^^This!!!!!

lalalove4

no duh! all i wanted to know was whether anyone else tried it. i know it leaves you pretty deficient in a lot of nutrients, but i also take vitamins and i actually am more energized and still work out everyday. i just read about people dropping about 15lbs in two weeks and losing that much weight in a week just seemed outrageous, so i wanted to know if anyone here had a success story from that diet.

Keiko385

I love oatmeal and eat it 6 days a week, but I dont want it twice a day with nothing else in it, bland, boring and not very nutritious

WendyTerry420

I usually eat baked oatmeal every day for breakfast, but that's plenty for me, thanks! :flowerforyou:

JesterMFP

no duh! all i wanted to know was whether anyone else tried it. i know it leaves you pretty deficient in a lot of nutrients, but i also take vitamins and i actually am more energized and still work out everyday. i just read about people dropping about 15lbs in two weeks and losing that much weight in a week just seemed outrageous, so i wanted to know if anyone here had a success story from that diet.

I honestly wouldn't consider losing 15 lbs in 2 weeks a "success story". You're not going to lose 15lbs of fat in that time.

As far as nutrients go, it's more than just micronutrients you need to think about, you need a good balance of protein/carbs/fat. Also, the body doesn't absorb vitamins and minerals from pills as well as it does from real food, so they're definitely not a substitute for a balanced diet.

Bottom line is, people will lose weight on this diet because of the calorie deficit, not because there's anything special about oatmeal. People here are just suggesting that you create that deficit with a varied, balanced diet. Up to you though.

RenewedRunner

No duh, really?!?!?! People are telling you it is a bad idea, whether you take vitamins are not.

And how are you getting 1200 calories from what is 1.5 cups of oatmeal and 1.5 cups of skim milk??

And I call bs on being more energized. This is a stupid diet.

lalalove4

Again, I didn't ask for anyone's opinion on why I shouldn't eat freakin oatmeal! All I asked is whether anyone did it, no one here lives with me to call my statement "bs". The straight oatmeal is only for a week and the rest is 1300/day including oatmeal and other healthy choices.

JustJennie1

Again, I didn't ask for anyone's opinion on why I shouldn't eat freakin oatmeal! All I asked is whether anyone did it, no one here lives with me to call my statement "bs". The straight oatmeal is only for a week and the rest is 1300/day including oatmeal and other healthy choices.

Clearly you haven't posted on the boards to realize that questions like this are going to bring a stream of people who will call you an idiot, moron, etc. etc. etc. just for asking.

Personally I have never tried any diet where I was allowed to eat only one thing for a certain amount of time and then "add back" other items. IMO it's going to lead to you (and by you I mean the person trying this) being hungry, irritable and just plain miserable all around. Not only that but I'd get bored of eating the same food daily. While I'm sure people have lost weight on the diet it could very well be because the calories are so incredibly limited in the beginning.

I say skip the "diet" and just eat healthy and balanced meals.

lalalove4

By the way, I don't think cheese puffs and twinkies can do this folks. Nothing special about oatmeal?

1. Lowers Cholesterol

Oatmeal contains a special strand of fiber called beta-glucan that studies have shown reduces levels of bad cholesterol—and as high cholesterol is a major risk factor associated with heart disease and strokes, a daily bowl of oatmeal could be a life saver! A daily dose of three grams of fiber, the amount found in one bowl of oatmeal, can lower cholesterol by up to 23 percent and reduce the risk of heat disease by almost half.

2. Boosts Immune System

Oatmeal’s beta-gluten fiber does more than protect your heart. Beta-gluten can also amp up our immune systems and help fight bacterial infections by helping non-specific immune cells called neutrophils (our body’s first line of defense against pathogens) quickly locate and heal infected tissues.



3. Special Antioxidants for Heart Protection

Oatmeal not only lowers bad cholesterol but protects good cholesterol! Oatmeal contains special antioxidants called avenanthramides that prevent free radicals from attacking good cholesterol, which also helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

4. Stabilizes Blood Sugar

Because oatmeal is so rich in fiber, eating it in the morning will help stabilize your blood sugar throughout the day and prevent those mid-morning or mid-afternoon “crashes” that results from eating refined sugars and carbs.

5. Lowers Risk of Diabetes

Speaking of blood sugar, eating oatmeal can also help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Oatmeal contains high amounts of magnesium, which help the body to properly use glucose and secrete insulin. An eight-year trial showed a 19 percent decrease in type 2 diabetes risk in women with a magnesium-rich diet and a 31 percent risk decrease in women who regularly ate whole grains. Like to enjoy your oatmeal with milk? Eating low-fat dairy products reduces the risk of diabetes by 13 percent.



6. Prevents Breast Cancer

Studies have shown that a diet rich in fiber can protect against breast cancer, particularly if the fiber comes from whole grains. A UK Women’s Cohort Study found that pre-menopausal women who ate fiber from whole grains had a 41 percent less risk of developing breast cancer, while fiber sourced from fruit only offer a 29 percent reduction rate.

7. Gluten-Friendly

Although oatmeal contains a small amount of gluten, studies have shown that oatmeal is well tolerated by both adults and children with celiac disease.

JesterMFP

Again, I didn't ask for anyone's opinion on why I shouldn't eat freakin oatmeal! All I asked is whether anyone did it, no one here lives with me to call my statement "bs". The straight oatmeal is only for a week and the rest is 1300/day including oatmeal and other healthy choices.

I could be wrong, but having looked at the posts, I don't think anyone's telling you not to eat oatmeal. Personally, I love it and have it for breakfast 3 or 4 days a week. People are just giving their opinions that it's not very healthy to have a diet of just one food, and that you'd probably be better off eating a more balanced diet. It kind of seems like you're looking for someone to tell you it's a good idea. It's your choice though, so if eating the oatmeal diet works for you, go for it.

Acg67

By the way, I don't think cheese puffs and twinkies can do this folks. Nothing special about oatmeal?

1. Lowers Cholesterol

Oatmeal contains a special strand of fiber called beta-glucan that studies have shown reduces levels of bad cholesterol—and as high cholesterol is a major risk factor associated with heart disease and strokes, a daily bowl of oatmeal could be a life saver! A daily dose of three grams of fiber, the amount found in one bowl of oatmeal, can lower cholesterol by up to 23 percent and reduce the risk of heat disease by almost half.

2. Boosts Immune System

Oatmeal’s beta-gluten fiber does more than protect your heart. Beta-gluten can also amp up our immune systems and help fight bacterial infections by helping non-specific immune cells called neutrophils (our body’s first line of defense against pathogens) quickly locate and heal infected tissues.



3. Special Antioxidants for Heart Protection

Oatmeal not only lowers bad cholesterol but protects good cholesterol! Oatmeal contains special antioxidants called avenanthramides that prevent free radicals from attacking good cholesterol, which also helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

4. Stabilizes Blood Sugar

Because oatmeal is so rich in fiber, eating it in the morning will help stabilize your blood sugar throughout the day and prevent those mid-morning or mid-afternoon “crashes” that results from eating refined sugars and carbs.

5. Lowers Risk of Diabetes

Speaking of blood sugar, eating oatmeal can also help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Oatmeal contains high amounts of magnesium, which help the body to properly use glucose and secrete insulin. An eight-year trial showed a 19 percent decrease in type 2 diabetes risk in women with a magnesium-rich diet and a 31 percent risk decrease in women who regularly ate whole grains. Like to enjoy your oatmeal with milk? Eating low-fat dairy products reduces the risk of diabetes by 13 percent.



6. Prevents Breast Cancer

Studies have shown that a diet rich in fiber can protect against breast cancer, particularly if the fiber comes from whole grains. A UK Women’s Cohort Study found that pre-menopausal women who ate fiber from whole grains had a 41 percent less risk of developing breast cancer, while fiber sourced from fruit only offer a 29 percent reduction rate.

7. Gluten-Friendly

Although oatmeal contains a small amount of gluten, studies have shown that oatmeal is well tolerated by both adults and children with celiac disease.

So you should undereat and only eat oatmeal, sounds like an awesome plan, best of luck

Helloitsdan

What about the eat whatever you want in moderation while in a deficit and lose weight diet?
I hear it works wonders!

lalalove4

Apparently you didn't read the diet plan that you posted! Straight oatmeal was only for a week!

jealous_loser

no duh! all i wanted to know was whether anyone else tried it. i know it leaves you pretty deficient in a lot of nutrients, but i also take vitamins and i actually am more energized and still work out everyday. i just read about people dropping about 15lbs in two weeks and losing that much weight in a week just seemed outrageous, so i wanted to know if anyone here had a success story from that diet.

So you know it's not good for you, but you are promoting it (by bringing it to people's attention). Not sure what you are going for here.

SideSteel

Even though you are offended by some of the replies, please do not discard the advice because it wasn't what you wanted to hear.

Weight loss is largely a function of energy balance. There's ZERO reason to create an energy deficit using only 1 food.

I would urge you to learn some basics about nutrition. I am saying this to help you, not to hurt you.

Your choice what you do with the information.

lalalove4

I never said it was bad for me and I am not asking anyone to do it. I just asked if anyone has done it!? I don't know what the point to your stament is.

Elzecat

I love oatmeal and eat it 6 days a week, but I dont want it twice a day with nothing else in it, bland, boring and not very nutritious

my thoughts exactly!