What Is The Abc Diet? The ABC Diet is a weight loss methodology that has been around since the 1960s. It was popularized by British author and celebrity nutritionist Ian K. Smith in his 2007 book “The Fat Smash Diet”.
The name comes from 3 main principles of the diet: Awareness of what you eat, Balance on all levels (diet, exercise and lifestyle) and Conscious control over yourself.
The ABC Diet is an overall healthy way of eating and losing weight, focusing on portion control, exercise, and cutting out junk food. The diet discourages the use of calorie counting or point systems (such as Weight Watchers).
Instead, it focuses on making exercise a daily habit, switching to healthier foods and making small swaps like olive oil or almond butter instead of other fats or oils. It also encourages regular meal times and sleeping habits, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
Participants can expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week depending on whether they stick 100% to the principles of the diet and how their body responds to the changes.
What Is The Abc Diet Plan?
The ABC Diet does not have a set plan so much as it has a philosophy and guidelines for following that philosophy. Because the book “The Fat Smash” is quite popular, many people who follow the ABC Diet use his book as their guide.

A typical day could be:
Breakfast: Protein and fruit smoothie, almond milk or yogurt with almonds for breakfast.
Lunch: A large salad with nuts and cheese and a balsamic dressing. Snack of raw vegetables or fruit.
Dinner: Grilled fish or lean meat with vegetables, brown rice or whole-wheat pasta. Snack of fruit.
The ABC Diet focuses on lean protein, fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains and healthy fats to fuel your body for optimum performance in exercise and day-to-day activities. It also recommends drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
What Are The Pros Of The Abc Diet?
There are many benefits to following the ABC Diet.
1. It encourages healthier eating habits and a focus on physical activity.
2. It is not as restrictive as other diets, making it easier to stick to for the long term. It is more of a sustainable way of living rather than temporary dieting.
3. It cuts out junk food, soda and processed foods which are not good for your body in the long run.
4. Parts of the ABC Diet philosophy are also backed up by research, including eating regular meals throughout the day, intermittent fasting and eating foods that have a high thermic effect.
What Are The Cons Of The Abc Diet?
Of course, there is no such thing as a “perfect” diet. There are always pros and cons of every food regimen to consider. Some people may find it difficult to cut out junk food completely because there is an entire industry dedicated to processed foods that taste delicious but are not healthy for you in any way.
Also, many people who struggle with weight management already have issues with portion control. The ABC Diet does not focus on counting calories or points but rather the idea of moderation and proper portion sizes, which can be difficult to implement.
Very active people or athletes may not get enough protein from such a strict regimen of lean meats and vegetables for fuel and recovery.
Is The Abc Diet Safe?
It is always good to consult with your doctor before starting any weight loss program, including the ABC Diet. Since it focuses on healthy foods and an overall healthy lifestyle, the ABC Diet is just as safe as other diets that cut out processed junk foods in place of lean meat and vegetables.
There are also no restrictions on when you eat or how much you eat, so it is easy to follow and sustain long term. The ABC Diet discourages the use of calorie counting, point systems and various fad diets.
This means that it is not recommended for people with eating disorders or any condition related to anorexia or bulimia. It also does not encourage diet pills, exercise supplements, or other products that can be harmful and even fatal.
Who Should Try The Abc Diet?
There is no reason why people who suffer from obesity cannot give the ABC Diet a try. It encourages healthy eating habits and regular exercise, benefiting anyone looking to lose weight safely.
In fact, many people have had success losing weight while following the ABC Diet and sticking with it long-term. People with diabetes, insulin resistance or cardiovascular disease may particularly like the ABC Diet
Because it focuses on lowering blood sugar levels and reducing cardiovascular risk factors such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, it is also a great way to complement healthy eating with exercise for maximum weight management benefits.
How Can I Get Started With The ABC Diet?
The first step of the ABC Diet is to prep your pantry and stock up on lean meats, fresh vegetables and whole grains. You can also download a grocery list from the official website to make following this diet plan easier.
After prepping your kitchen, you will need to stock up on a smart snack or two that can double as a healthy pre-workout meal.
Next, plan your daily meals and eat an overall healthy diet using the ABC Diet principles. Finally, get moving by focusing on physical activity every day, including everything from yoga to interval training.
How Long Does It Take To Lose Weight On The ABC Diet?
The ABC Diet is a new diet plan introduced in 2010 and has been garnering a lot of buzzes ever since. It aims to be a lifestyle change rather than a short-term diet by focusing on all-natural foods and portion control instead of restricting calories or cutting out entire food groups.
This plant-based diet encourages the consumption of lean meats and fresh vegetables, and whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, and steel-cut oats. It also emphasizes healthy fats from sources like flaxseed oil, olive oil and nuts, and higher amounts of fruit and dairy.
The Bottom Line
The ABC diet is a fad diet developed by Dr Herman Tarnower, who wrote “The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet” in 1979. According to this weight loss plan, you can eat anything as long as it’s
A) alkaline-forming foods like fish and vegetables
B) boiled eggs for breakfast which will help suppress your appetite all day.
This eating strategy has been around since the 1970s but persists today because it follows some basic principles of healthy eating habits with no restrictions on what type of food you can consume.