5 Factor Diet
5 Factor Diet
Who doesn’t want to try a diet that has helped big name celebrities like Eva Mendez, Alicia Keys, & Kane West get into shape? If it worked for them, then it would most certainly work for you right? Maybe… but you have a greater chance of success if the program was developed by celebrity fitness trainer Harley Pasternak. Once only available to Hollywood celebrities, the 5 factor diet is now online and ready to provide those who always wanted their own Hollywood body a chance.
Harley Pasternak has worked with stars of song and stage for years, aiding them with weight loss and maintenance. Familiar clients include Jessica Simpson, Kanye West, John Mayer and Alicia Keys. If you’ve ever dreamed of having the well-cared-for bodies that they have, 5-Factor Diet is your chance.
Harvey was faced with a challenge - a diet and exercise program that would comfortably fit in between on-set breaks for celebrities trying to maintain a healthy body. Hectic schedules and no space forced Harvey to create the 5 Factor Diet - making limited time, space and food tools for success.
While you’re not backstage powdering your nose, your days do run with little play time. The 5 Factor Diet makes it possible for you to eat healthier, exercise and noticeably shape up in between meetings, soccer games, chores and much-needed sleep.
What is the five factor diet?
The 5 factor diet is a program with a “keep it simple” approach using the following principles.
5 Week Plan: The diet is supposed to provide results within 5 weeks of use.
5 Meals a Day: Eating 5 meals a day to reduce hunger.
5 Ingredient Meals: Keep it simple. Harley provides a list of recipes and meal plans that can be created in 5 minutes.
25 Minute Workouts: Harley feels having shorter, more frequent workouts is better than spending too much time at the gym.
5 cheat days in 5 weeks: That’s 1 cheat meal a week.
5 ‘Fat-loss’ keys
Metabolism — faster metabolism burns more calories, hence less fat.
Exercise — stay in the fat-burning zone and build lean muscle.
Right calories — consume foods with the right kind and amount of calories.
Glycemic Index — low-GI foods keep blood-sugar levels steady.
Rest and recovery — promote growth hormone for muscle condition, and reduce cortisol (’stress’ hormone).
5 Criteria for each of 5 meals per day
Low-fat, quality protein
Low-GI carbohydrate
Fiber
Healthy fat
Sugar-free beverage
Sundays are considered a ‘cheat day’ - eat what you like, while sticking to the 5-meals principle.
Meal Guidelines
Breakfast
Sugar-free cereal with at least 5 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving,(eg Kashi Go Lean!), with some fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries. Use non-fat cottage cheese or sugar-free yogurt in place of cereal for a change.
For something warm, use egg whites as a base for a low-fat omelette, or try the Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal Frittata.
For hot cereal, make some oatmeal and blend in a scoop of whey-protein powder.
Lunch
Soups & salads, with no-flour bread or tortilla for open sandwiches or wraps, or a rice cake.
Dinner
Lean chicken/steak/fish for protein, and fibrous, moderate-GI carbs in vegetables like wild rice, squash, sweet potato, broccoli, spinach, or cauliflower.
Recipe Sample :
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Omelet (Serves 1):
½ cup egg whites, 2 tsp nonfat cream cheese, salt and pepper to taste, 1 tsp canola oil, ¼ oz smoked salmon.
Whisk together egg whites, cream cheese, salt and pepper. Pour oil into a nonstick skillet, and turn to coat. Heat over medium-high flame. Add egg-white mixture to the skillet, gently pushing egg whites toward the center as they cook.
When eggs are almost set, place smoked salmon on top. Cover the pan, and cook for 30 seconds. Remove the lid, and add pepper. Slide omelet onto a cutting board, fold in half and serve.
Meal Examples - Snacks
Celery with nonfat cream cheese and pickle wrapped in turkey pastrami
Nonflour toast with nonfat cream cheese, smoked salmon and tomato slice
Turkey breast slices wrapped around lettuce and green pepper strips, with some nonfat cream cheese
Brown-rice cake with a slice of Veggie salami, fat-free cheese, and mustard Beef,
Beef, salmon, or turkey jerky with piece of fruit
Pickled herring with nonfat sour cream
Celery sticks with nonfat French onion soup cream dip.
A Typical Day on the Five Factor Diet
MEAL NAME PROTEIN CARBOHYDRATE
1 Apple-cinnamon oatmeal frittata Egg whites Dries apples
2 Nonfat cottage cheese Apple
3 Curried chicken salad Chicken breast, nonfat yogurt Slice of no-flour bread
4 Veggie salami, nonfat cheese Brown rice cake
5 Lemon salmon Salmon Quinoa, side salad
Pros and Cons to Consider
Pros
Harley Pasternak has a Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology and Nutritional Sciences.
Program offers a lifestyle approach to weight loss.
Diet comes with online tools such as: Daily meal planner, Food Log, Eating out Guide, Weight tracker, daily inspiration, and more.
Affordable at $5.00 a week
Meal delivery service available for those with busy schedules.
Exercise plan included with the diet.
Cons
The meal delivery is plan is expensive at around $449.70 a week.
Cheat Meals?
We really liked the idea of incorporating cheat meals into the diet. In fact, having cheat meals can really refresh and help a dieter stay focused & motivated. Some may not agree with this approach as eating cheat meals could impair ones will power (or ability to say STOP) and lead to binge eating.
Conclusion
The Five Factor Diet is only as good as the person following it. If you can strap on your workout shoes and lace up your eating habits this diet may work for you. For more information visit the official 5 Factor Diet website.
