In our ongoing quest for optimal health and general well-being, losing weight safely and effectively has become a priority for many. The PROTIFAST programme, renowned for its clinical approach to weight management, offers a promising solution for those looking to lose weight quickly. This distinctive programme stands out for its use of protein-rich meal replacements, designed to maximise weight loss while preserving muscle mass and ensuring adequate nutrition. In this article, we will explore in detail how PROTIFAST facilitates rapid and lasting weight loss, highlighting the scientific principles behind its effectiveness and the testimonials of those who have transformed their lives thanks to this diet.
What is chrononutrition?
Chrononutrition is a concept based on the idea that not only what we eat, but also when we eat, is crucial to effective weight management. This approach, often recommended by health professionals, is designed to align with the body’s biological rhythms and optimise metabolism according to specific schedules. It is considered an effective, rapid and safe weight loss method when followed correctly.
As part of the PROTIFAST programme, this dietary strategy is adapted to incorporate a high intake of pure protein while limiting carbohydrate and fat intake. This not only stimulates thermogenesis (heat production by the body due to protein digestion) but also reduces glycaemic peaks which can lead to fat accumulation.
Implementation of chrononutrition in the PROTIFAST programme
The PROTIFAST programme, offered in our pharmacy, includes personalised dietary monitoring. This follow-up is essential because it ensures that excess weight is managed as a whole and that the diet is adapted to your specific needs. The dietician plays a crucial role in implementing this type of diet, ensuring that meals are not only nutritionally balanced but also chronologically optimised to activate the metabolism at the most favourable times of the day.
Nutritional benefits of chrononutrition with PROTIFAST
By following the PROTIFAST diet, users consume meal replacements that are enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, ensuring that nutritional requirements are met despite calorie restriction. PROTIFAST products are formulated to provide an optimal amount of essential nutrients, promoting slimming without health risks.
In addition, the consumption of pure proteins helps to maintain a prolonged feeling of satiety, reducing the need to snack between meals and helping to control food portions throughout the day.
Why are proteins crucial for losing weight?
Dietary proteins play an essential role in any weight-loss diet, particularly because of their ability to induce a lasting sensation of satiety and stimulate the metabolism. Their importance is all the more pronounced in the PROTIFAST programme, where they are the cornerstone of the weight-loss process.
The role of proteins in weight loss
Proteins contribute to several key mechanisms that facilitate effective and lasting weight loss. Firstly, they require more energy to be metabolised than carbohydrates or fats. This phenomenon, known as the thermic effect of food, means that digesting proteins consumes more calories, thus increasing the resting metabolism.
In addition, proteins stimulate the production of satiety hormones such as leptin and cholecystokinin, which help to reduce appetite and limit involuntary calorie consumption. This is particularly beneficial in a programme like PROTIFAST, where portion control and hunger management are vital to the success of the diet.
Proteins in the PROTIFAST programme
The PROTIFAST programme uses meal replacements rich in pure protein to ensure that users receive adequate nutrition while minimising calorie intake. These products are designed to provide an optimal balance of essential nutrients without the superfluous calories often associated with high-carbohydrate, high-fat diets.
The specific composition of PROTIFAST meal replacements also helps to preserve muscle mass during weight loss. This is crucial, as preserving muscle mass helps maintain a more active metabolism, which promotes continued weight loss and prevents the ‘plateau’ phenomenon often seen in less well-designed diets.
The Protifast weight loss programme is divided into 3 phases
The length of each phase depends on the weight you want to reach and the kilos you need to lose to get there. Weight loss can vary according to each person’s basic metabolism.
Phase 1 (the active phase) or how to lose weight quickly :
➞ PHASE TO BE CONTINUED UNTIL YOU HAVE LOST 50% OF YOUR GOAL
This phase lasts from 5 to 10 days maximum and aims to achieve a weight loss of between 4 and 10 kg. Phase 1 consists of taking 4 to 6 sachets a day, depending on whether you are a woman or a man and on your target weight.
For weight loss of more than 15 kg, ask your doctor or a nutritionist for medical follow-up based on a protein diet protocol.
Phase 1 must be accompanied by food supplements, which are essential if the diet is to be followed properly:
- Erjean sodium chloride 500 mg (2 to 4 tablets a day). Orthostatic hypotension is often linked to a lack of salt. Many women eliminate salt from their diet to avoid water retention in the body, but the body’s daily requirements are 3 g per day to ensure normal blood pressure
- Potassium (non-medical dosage available over the counter). Potassium deficiency always manifests itself as muscular weakness, particularly in the lower limbs
- Calcium: on a high-protein diet, you need to provide around 1g of calcium a day. Drink water (1.5 to 2 litres). Hépar® water, a source of magnesium, for constipation
- Drainuryl®to eliminate toxins and for anti-cellulite cures. Concentrated, sugar- and alcohol-free drainer, specially recommended for protein diets
In phase 1, weight loss is spectacular, but the most important thing is to maintain the weight you have regained thanks to the transition and stabilisation phases.
A typical day in phase 1
During this first phase, women will consume between four and five high-protein sachets a day, while men will take five to six.
- Breakfast: One protein pack or one phase 1 waffle with sugar-free tea or coffee (sweeteners such as sucralose or aspartame may be used).
- Lunch: One packet of protein with an unlimited amount of vegetables allowed (two packets for men).
- Snack: One protein sachet or a phase 1 crunchy bar.
- Dinner: One protein sachet with an unlimited amount of vegetables allowed (two sachets for men).
Unrestricted vegetables allowed:
These vegetables can be eaten raw or cooked with no added fat: asparagus, chard, broccoli, aubergine, various types of celery, mushrooms, various types of cabbage, cucumber, gherkin, courgette, endives, spinach, fennel, sorrel, green peppers, purslane, radish, various types of salad, and fresh soya sprouts.
Vegetables authorised in limited quantities:
These vegetables should be limited to 50 to 200 g per day: artichokes (leaves only), cardoons, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bean sprouts, turnips, pasterns, leeks, red peppers, dandelion, salsify, tomatoes (one per day).
Authorised drinks:
Teas, coffees and herbal teas are permitted with sweeteners but no added sugar. Light drinks such as Diet Coke or Coke Zero are also permitted. Drinking 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day is encouraged, particularly sparkling water for its mineral content. Hépar water is recommended in cases of constipation for its magnesium content.
Authorised seasonings:
Salt, pepper, herbs, mustard, garden herbs and spices, and lemon juice may be used to season dishes. The use of a tablespoon of olive oil is encouraged for its essential fatty acids and can be particularly useful for cooking crêpes and bagged omelettes.
Protifast protein bars are compatible with phase 1, as they contain very few carbohydrates and also have no added sugar.
Phase 2 (the transition phase) or how to continue losing weight :
➞ PHASE TO BE CONTINUED UNTIL YOU HAVE LOST 80% OF YOUR GOAL
This stage lasts from 5 to 28 days maximum and aims to maintain the healthy weight achieved in phase 1. Phase 2 consists of taking 3 protein sachets a day if you are a woman and 4 if you are a man.
During Phase 2, women will consume three protein sachets a day, while men will use four.
- Breakfast: Choice between a high-protein packet or a Phase 1 waffle, accompanied by a sugar-free tea or coffee (sweeteners such as sucralose or aspartame may be used).
- Lunch or Dinner: A meal consisting of natural proteins accompanied by authorised vegetables. This meal can be taken either at lunch or dinner, depending on your preference.
- Snack: A high-protein sachet or a Crousti phase 1 bar.
- Dinner (if the protein meal is taken at lunchtime) : One high-protein sachet with unlimited vegetables (two sachets for men).
Food supplements :
It is advisable to continue taking vitamins and minerals to support the nutritional balance of the diet.
Vegetables authorised without restriction:
The following vegetables may be eaten without restriction, raw or cooked without added fat: asparagus, chard, broccoli, aubergine, various types of celery, mushrooms, various types of cabbage, cucumbers, gherkins, courgettes, endives, spinach, fennel, sorrel, green peppers, purslane, radishes, various types of salad greens, fresh beansprouts.
Vegetables authorised in more limited quantities:
These vegetables should be eaten in moderation, with an intake of 100 to 250 g per day: artichokes (leaves), cardoons, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bean sprouts, extra fine green beans, turnips, pasterns, leeks, red peppers, dandelion, salsify, tomatoes (one per day).
Natural protein sources for high-protein meals:
For women, 100g and for men, 150g from one of the following sources:
- Lean meat such as veal or beef.
- Poultry such as turkey or chicken (skinless), avoiding fattier meats such as goose or duck.
- Lean fish, fresh or smoked.
- Slices of lean ham.
- Egg white, ideally mixed with vegetables in a salad.
- Seafood, including shellfish (lobster, crab, prawns).
- 0% fromage frais or tofu.
Drinks allowed:
Tea, coffee and herbal teas may be consumed with sweeteners but without added sugar. Diet Coke and Coke Zero are also permitted. You should drink between 1.5 and 2 litres of water a day, preferring sparkling waters for their mineral content. Hépar water is recommended in cases of constipation for its magnesium content.
Authorised seasonings:
Dishes may be seasoned with salt, pepper, herbs, mustard, garden herbs and spices, and lemon juice. One tablespoon of olive oil a day is encouraged for its essential fatty acids, useful in particular for cooking pancakes and bagged omelettes.
Phase 2 should also be accompanied by food supplements, which are essential for following the diet. In particular, during this phase, you can take meals with natural proteins at midday for lunch or in the evening for dinner.
Phase 3 (the consolidation phase):
Phase 3 Protifast lasts from 5 to 28 days maximum and aims to continue losing weight and maintain your ideal weight in order to avoid the yo-yo effect.
The low-calorie, protein-enriched diet powders are reconstituted with water. All the sachets have the same protein value, with 18g of pure, easily digestible protein, 100% assimilated by the body. Protifast sachets contain all the essential amino acids, including leucine, methionine and tryptophan. The calculation for the number of sachets to be consumed per day is approximately 1g of protein per kilo of body weight per 24 hours. It is important to consume your diet sachets every day to preserve muscle mass and melt fat. Even if you’re not hungry, thanks to the natural satiety effect of protein, you should take your sachets! What’s more, the chemical index and digestibility index of proteins are the two quality criteria for following a high-protein diet.
Protifast and contraindications
- Pregnancy or breast-feeding
- Children or adolescents
- Severe liver, heart or kidney failure
- Thyroid not stabilised
