Difference between Military Diet and GM Diet

Modern lifestyle has affected not just the way people live but also the way people eat.

This has resulted in people being overweight and obese. In an attempt to lose excess fat the soonest time possible, many resorts to crash dieting.

Today, there are many diet programs to choose from. Two of them are military diet and GM diet. In this article, we are going to tackle both military diet and GM diet and their differences. ^{(1, 2)}

What is a Military Diet?

(The Military diet food shopping list.)

It is a weight loss diet program that claims to help you lose a total of 10 pounds in just a week. It is also called a 3-day diet because it involves a 3-day meal plan and a four-day off.

The cycle is repeated every week until such time you reach your target weight. ^{(1, 2, and 3)}

Why it is called the Military Diet?

The proponent of military diet is a nutritionist who specially created the program for US Military. The primary purpose is to help the soldiers get into the perfect shape the soonest time possible. ⁽³⁾

How does it work?

Military diet is a combination of low calorie and chemically compatible foods. They work together to help jumpstart the weight loss process. For three days, you should eat a very strict list of foods.

Your breakfast, lunch, and dinner should be low in calorie. You are not allowed to snack in between meals. You need to carefully count your calorie intake in a day. The total calorie intake should be around 1,100 to 1, 400 calories per day.

You can take off on the remaining four days. However, it does not mean that you can eat anything you like. You are still highly encouraged to eat healthily. ^{(1, 2, 3, and 4)}

Clinical evidence

There is no data or scientific evidence to support the weight loss claim of the Military Diet.

Is military diet safe for everyone?

On the average, military diet is safe because it is a short-lived diet program. However, it is not recommended for long-term dieting because it restricts your calorie intake and puts you at risk for nutrient deficiency.

Military diet is safe but should not be done for a long period of time. ^{(3, 4)}

 

What is a GM Diet?

(The 7-day meal plan for GM Diet.)

The GM Diet stands for General Motors Diet; a weight loss program that claims to help you lose a total of 15 pounds in just a week (7 days).

It includes eating a variety of foods every day. The proponent of GM diet claims that it helps you lose weight by burning fat faster when compared to other diet programs. ^{(5, 6)}

Why it is called the GM diet?

It is called the GM diet because it was created for General Motors employees in 1985. It was created in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration.

It has also undergone rigorous testing at the Johns Hopkins Research Center.

How does it work?

This diet program is broken up into seven days and there is a specified food group to consume.

There is a particular day where you should only eat vegetables while on other days you are allowed to eat meat and other food variety. If you strictly follow this diet plan, you will be able to achieve the following:

• Lose a total of 15 pounds in a week.
• You will be able to get rid of toxins in your body.
• Your ability to burn fat will be improved significantly.
• You will be able to improve your digestion.

The GM Diet is tested and proven helpful in helping you lose weight because it restricts your calorie intake. If your body is deprived of the recommended daily calorie intake, then you will surely lose weight.

The fat burning and detoxification process is linked with the intake of fruits and vegetables, which are not only a source of essential nutrients but also a source of natural water.

The GM diet is perfect for people who have a long-term weight loss goal. ^{(5, 6, 7, and 8)}

A comparison between the Military Diet and GM Diet

Which of the two can help you achieve your weight loss goal? Let us compare and contrast military diet and GM diet. The differences are outlined in the table below.

Point of Comparison	Military Diet	GM Diet
Other names	3-day diet	General Motors Diet
Claims	It helps you lose a total of 10 pounds in just a week.	It helps you lose a total of 15 pounds in just a week.
Length	Three days	Seven days
Weight loss goal	Perfect for people with short-term weight loss goal.	Perfect for people with long-term weight loss goal.
Clinical Evidence	There is no clinical evidence to back up claims.	It has also undergone rigorous testing at the Johns Hopkins Research Center.
Safety	It is generally safe for short-term weight loss.	It is safe for long-term weight loss.
Foods to include/how is weight loss possible	You should eat foods with strictly low-calorie level for three days and stop on the fourth to seven days.	You should limit your calorie intake for the entire seven days. The foods to eat are specified every day. Mostly, the foods include fruits and vegetables. Aside from the dieting aspect, you are highly encouraged to exercise to speed up the weight loss process. (8, 9, and 10)
Pros	It is a simple diet regimen. It offers a fast result. It is an affordable diet program. You don’t need to purchase anything.	It is proven effective in helping you lose weight. It helps get rid of toxins from the body. It improves your metabolism in the long run. You can lose fat in targeted areas of the body such as the waist and thigh. (9, 10)
Cons	There is no substitution. Artificial sweetener is not allowed. It does not include snacks. (9, 10)	You are most likely to experience hunger pangs in the first two days. You may experience loss of energy during the course of the diet program.

Both military diet and GM diet have their pros and cons. They do have similarities when it comes to effect, effort, and sustainability.

Before trying any types of a diet regimen, make sure you are in a perfect state of health. To be safe, you should contact a nutritionist or dietitian, especially if you have an existing medical condition or taking any maintenance medication.

References:

1. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/the-military-diet-101
2. https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-and-nutrition/diet/military-diet-review-beginners-guide-day-plan/
3. https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/3-day-military-diet-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-help-you-lose-weight/#gref
4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323952.php
5. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gm-diet
6. https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/the-gm-diet-is-it-for-you/#gref
7. http://gmdiet.net/
8. https://food.ndtv.com/health/gm-diet-deconstructed-should-you-be-trying-this-one-1682870
9. https://truweight.in/blog/health/gm-diet-plan-reviews.html
10. https://www.lipophage.com/362/military-diet-and-the-gm-diet/