Another new diet – what can be special about it? some! Because reports on the Thonon diet speak of a whole 10 kilos of weight loss in 14 days. Can you really lose weight that fast? We’ll tell you what the Thonon diet is all about!
New trend diets from Hollywood or influencer circles such as the Thonon diet or GOLO diet keep appearing and promise great weight loss within a very short time. Losing weight is a popular topic. Celebrities and influencers show impressive before and after pictures and report on incredible experiences and customer success. But what is the truth of the promises and can you lose weight sustainably and healthily with such a crash diet?
Table of Contents
What is the Thonon Diet?
The Thonon diet promises to lose a lot of weight in a very short time. It should be based on a high-protein but very low-calorie diet without carbohydrates. Developed in the French spa town of Thonon-les-Bains , the diet is to be used there under medical supervision in the hospital. The meal plan consists of three meals a day with a total of just 600 to 800 calories . That’s only about a third of most people’s daily calorie needs.
Eating is mainly based on the ketogenic principle : lots of fats and proteins. Carbohydrates and sugar are reduced to a minimum. The diet lasts two weeks. A stabilization week of 1200 to 1500 calories per day is then recommended. Thus, the yo-yo effect is said to be absent. The diet promises a rapid weight loss of 10 kilos in 14 days. But is that even possible and healthy?
These foods are allowed on the Thonon diet: cottage cheese, low-fat quark, lean meat, fish, tofu, chickpeas and other legumes, avocados and nuts, and healthy vegetable fats. While the plant-based foods on this list are safe and even healthy in large quantities, an excess of animal products is by no means recommended. Lean meat, fish and dairy products are good sources of protein in moderation. However, meat and fish in particular should not be eaten every day, but at most once or twice a week, since an excess of animal fatty acids is associated with lifestyle diseases.
The problem of the Thonon diet
Many enthusiasts who have had great experiences with the Thonon diet and have lost a lot of weight in a short time are promoting the diet. Impressive before and after pictures show the incredible success. What is not shown is the subsequent yo-yo effect that is inevitable if no permanent dietary changes are made. Likewise, the before and after pictures, both for normal consumers and for models or influencers, should be enjoyed with caution. Certain lighting conditions, poses and the shape of the day give the impression that an impressive transformation has taken place, even with the smallest changes.
Like all crash diets , the Thonon diet is based on achieving a lot or losing weight in a very short time. Depending on the type of diet, certain foods or even whole macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, are dispensed with. In addition, the calorie intake is limited, so that the body is no longer supplied with sufficient energy to function properly. Weakness, fatigue, headaches and many more are classic symptoms that the body is not being fed enough.
However, it is particularly problematic that the body prefers to break down muscles instead of fat when the calorie intake is restricted , which means that the total calorie consumption decreases in the long run. The yo-yo effect is therefore much more likely to occur. In addition, initial rapid weight loss is often not fat, but water retention , which is lost with a short-term abstinence from carbohydrates. If you then return to a balanced diet plan, water will be stored again.
Conclusion: How good is the Thonon diet?
Crash diets like the Thonon diet are neither healthy for the body nor for the psyche. The number on the scale goes down because water and muscle are broken down, but the love handles still remain. Losing weight in a healthy and sustainable way is only possible with a long-term change in diet and lifestyle.
Also interesting: Dr. Riedl on the five pitfalls of changing your diet >>
Disadvantages and effects of dieting
- Stomach and intestinal problems
A diet that is low in roughage or very one-sided, as with the Thonon diet, can lead to stomach and intestinal problems. Bloating , diarrhea or constipation are not uncommon. And even worse: the constant feeling of hunger causes cravings, cravings and the subsequent yo-yo effect as soon as you can “eat normally” again. - Loss of musculature
If the body does not get the energy it needs to supply all organs with sufficient energy (basic metabolic rate), it falls back on the musculature . As a result, the body’s energy consumption decreases. If the person eats the same number of calories after the diet, they eat in excess and gain weight . A vicious circle begins. - Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
With a diet, a lack of vitamins and nutrients is not far away. However, the body needs them to make hormones and enzymes, absorb nutrients, and generally keep the body functioning properly. - Hormone chaos
Crash diets tell the body that it is a difficult time and therefore not a good time to have a child. It shuts down its hormone production, which can lead to a disrupted menstrual cycle and missed periods. This also negatively affects the stability of the bones , which increases the risk of osteoporosis enormously in old age. Even short-term radical diets have an impact.
dr Riedl on Instagram Live: About diets and how to really lose weight
Nutrition Doc Dr. Matthias Riedl ( @drmatthiasriedl) has on 4.5. answered your burning questions about weight loss frustration on our Instagram account @vital_magazin . From minute 2:19 he talks about diets, failed attempts to lose weight and how to change your diet properly. If you want to make your diet healthier in the long term, Dr. Riedl’s nutrition app ” myFoodDoctor “.
Lose weight: how to do it right
With these tips you will reach your desired weight step by step:
- Take stock
Get an overview of your previous diet and exercise habits and see where you can improve something. With our printable food diary you can easily log your food habits for a week. - Start Small Make
changes incrementally rather than tackling everything at once. Anyone who wants to completely change their lifestyle from one day to the next often fails after a few days. If the changes are too extreme, you quickly fall back into old habits. Therefore, change only one thing at first, for example adding more vegetables to the food or only taking the stairs instead of the elevator and escalator from now on. Build up slowly. - The right nutrition
Rely on a mixed diet in which all macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat and protein) are covered. Protein prevents muscle breakdown, fat regulates the hormone system and supports the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and carbohydrates provide energy for your brain and muscles. - The right calorie deficit
With numerous calorie calculators on the Internet, you can work out your calorie requirement. To get a better feel for food and portion sizes, you can temporarily count calories. Apps like MyFoodDoctor, FddB, Yazio make this a breeze. The goal: a moderate calorie deficit of 300 to 500 kcal . Severely overweight people can build in a larger deficit than just slightly overweight or slim people. Read here >> how to calculate your calorie requirement - Find Your Movement
Nobody needs to train hard for an hour a day. Build movement into your everyday life. Walk a lot, ride your bike and find an exercise that you really enjoy. - Set Long-Term Goals
Losing weight isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. Think how long it took you to gain weight. That didn’t happen overnight. It’s the same with losing weight. Two to three kilos of fat per month is quite a lot. That’s about eight to 12 packets of butter.
