
The military diet is a 3-day diet that involves restricting calorie consumption for 3 days and then eating a regular diet for the next 4 days. It is claimed that you can lose up to 10 pounds in a week, but most of this weight loss is due to the loss of water weight. The diet permits drinking water, herbal teas, and caffeinated coffee or tea twice per day with no sugar or creamers. Many advocates of the diet recommend consuming around 2 liters of water a day, alongside the strict 3-day meal plan. Some sources suggest that hot lemon water is a good drink option as it improves the digestive system and hormonal balance, leading to weight loss.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of days | 3 |
| Calorie intake on the first day | 1,400 calories |
| Calorie intake on the third day | 1,100 calories |
| Weight loss | 10 lbs |
| Weight loss type | Water weight |
| Drink | Water, herbal teas, black tea or coffee |
| Number of drinks | 1-2 cups |
| Alcohol | Not allowed during the 3 days |
| Grapefruit substitute | Water with baking soda |
| Lemon water benefit | Weight loss |
| Calories on rest days | 1,500 calories |
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What You'll Learn

Drinking water is permitted, and recommended, on the military diet
The military diet is a low-calorie, high-protein, and low-fat diet that promotes weight loss. It is important to stay hydrated while on a low-calorie diet, especially if you are also engaging in vigorous exercise. The general advice is for healthy adult men to consume 3.7 liters of water per day, and for healthy adult women to consume 2.7 liters per day. On the military diet, you can consume a range of water-based drinks, so you don't have to stick to plain water. However, it is important to monitor your caloric intake to ensure you don't go overboard.
Water is permitted and recommended on the military diet, and it is also suggested as a substitute for grapefruit. The diet emphasizes not substituting grapefruits for oranges and, instead, advises replacing grapefruit with a glass of water mixed with baking soda. This is said to help alkalinize the body and reduce body fat. However, there is no evidence supporting the use of baking soda to reduce body fat, and research shows that dietary choices have little effect on the body's acidity or alkalinity levels.
While drinking water is allowed and encouraged on the military diet, it is important to note that most of the weight loss experienced on this diet is likely due to the loss of water weight. This is because severe calorie restrictions lead to a decline in the body's glycogen stores, which are the body's energy reserve. When you eat sufficient calories, fluid accumulates because water is stored with glycogen. So, when your glycogen stores are depleted on a low-calorie diet, the related stored water is lost as well. As a result, when you return to a normal diet, you can easily regain any lost weight because your glycogen stores will be replenished.
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You can drink up to 2 litres of water a day
The military diet is a short-term, calorie-restricted diet that may be effective for weight loss. It involves eating a low-calorie diet for three days, followed by four days of regular eating. While on the military diet, it is recommended to drink adequate water to stay hydrated, especially if engaging in vigorous exercise.
Advocates of the military diet suggest consuming around 2 litres of water per day, in addition to the strict three-day meal plan. Staying hydrated is crucial, and this amount of water can help ensure proper hydration. It is important to note that the recommended daily water intake for healthy adult men is 3.7 litres, while it is 2.7 litres for healthy adult women. However, a portion of this water intake comes from food, with about 20% of the daily water intake derived from food sources.
The military diet permits the consumption of water-based drinks, so you are not limited to plain water. Tea and coffee are allowed on the diet, but it is important to avoid adding milk and sugar as these can hinder weight loss efforts. Black tea, in particular, is a good option due to its caffeine content. Additionally, hot lemon water is recommended as it improves the digestive system and hormonal balance, aiding in weight loss.
It is worth noting that the weight loss achieved on the military diet may be mostly due to the loss of water weight. This is because severe calorie restrictions lead to a decrease in the body's glycogen stores, which are responsible for fluid accumulation. As a result, when glycogen stores are depleted, the associated water weight is lost as well. Therefore, staying hydrated with adequate water intake is essential to support the body's functions and promote overall health during the military diet.
In conclusion, while on the military diet, it is recommended to drink up to 2 litres of water per day. This helps ensure proper hydration and supports the body's functions. Additionally, water-based drinks, tea, and coffee are allowed, providing variety in fluid intake. However, it is important to be mindful of any added ingredients that may conflict with the diet's guidelines.
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Grapefruit can be replaced with water and baking soda
The military diet is a low-calorie, 3-day meal plan that claims to help individuals lose up to 10 pounds in a week. However, it is important to note that most of the weight loss experienced on this diet is due to the loss of water weight, and the weight is likely to be quickly regained once a normal diet is resumed. The diet permits drinking water, herbal teas, and caffeinated coffee or tea twice per day with no sugar or creamers. Many advocates of the diet recommend consuming around 2 liters of water per day, in addition to staying within the strict meal plan.
Grapefruit is a key component of the military diet and is included in the breakfast on day one. However, for individuals who dislike grapefruit or are unable to consume it due to dietary restrictions or medication, the official guidelines recommend substituting it with half a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in a glass of water. This substitute is based on the idea that both grapefruit and baking soda create an alkaline condition in the body, which is believed to be better for fat burning and weight loss. While this belief is not supported by evidence, the substitution is intended to provide similar benefits to grapefruit in terms of weight loss.
It is important to note that drinking baking soda water may not be a pleasant experience. Additionally, the military diet emphasizes not substituting grapefruit for oranges or other citrus fruits. Instead, if an individual prefers not to consume grapefruit, they can opt for a piece of fruit with a similar caloric value, such as a small apple, and then drink the baking soda and water mixture separately. This approach ensures that the desired alkaline environment is created in the body, which is believed to help combat fat that thrives in an acidic environment.
While the military diet does provide guidelines for approved drinks, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist before starting any new diet or making significant changes to your fluid intake. They can provide personalized advice and ensure that your fluid and food intake aligns with your health goals and any specific dietary needs or restrictions you may have.
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Hot lemon water is a no-calorie drink option
The military diet is a short-term, calorie-restricted diet that may be effective for weight loss. It involves eating a low-calorie diet for 3 days, followed by 4 days of regular eating. The diet is repeated weekly until the desired weight is achieved. While the diet does not explicitly mention drinks to avoid, it provides a list of approved beverages to support weight loss.
The diet recommends drinking water, herbal teas, and caffeinated coffee or tea twice a day without any sugar or creamers. While the diet suggests swapping grapefruit with a glass of water mixed with baking soda, it is not mandatory. This substitution is based on the belief that creating an alkaline environment in the body aids in fat burning. However, research suggests that dietary choices have a minimal impact on the body's acidity or alkalinity levels.
It is important to note that the military diet is high in protein and low in fat, carbohydrates, and overall calories. As a result, it may not provide adequate fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The diet also includes some processed foods that are high in salt. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize healthy eating and seek medical advice if any side effects are experienced.
While the military diet may lead to rapid weight loss, most of it is attributed to water weight. This means that individuals may quickly regain the lost weight once they return to their regular eating habits. To maintain weight loss, it is advisable to focus on sustainable dietary changes rather than short-term fad diets.
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Alcohol is not allowed during the 3-day diet
The military diet, also known as the 3-day diet, involves restricting calorie consumption for 3 days and then eating a regular diet for the next 4 days. The diet is high in protein and low in fat, carbohydrates, and calories. It also includes specific food combinations to try to boost metabolism and burn fat. The military diet is a low-calorie diet that promotes weight loss. However, it is an unbalanced and unsafe diet, and most of the weight lost is likely to be water weight.
The diet permits drinking water, herbal teas, and caffeinated coffee or tea twice per day with no sugar or creamers. Many advocates of the military diet recommend consuming around 2 liters of water a day, alongside the strict 3-day meal plan. To substitute hot coffee or tea, you can have a can of energy tea or a cold energy drink. Black tea is particularly great for the military diet, as it's one of the most caffeinated tea types.
The military diet also recommends replacing grapefruit with a glass of water with baking soda, which is said to help alkalinize your body and reduce body fat. However, there is no evidence supporting the use of baking soda to reduce body fat. Drinking a glass of baking soda water may not be very pleasant. Instead, you can drink lemon water, which is also said to aid in weight loss.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you consume around 2 liters of water per day, in addition to the strict 3-day meal plan. This will help you stay hydrated, especially if you engage in vigorous exercise during this period.
Yes, the military diet permits drinking herbal teas, caffeinated coffee or tea, and black tea. However, it is important to note that these drinks should be consumed without any sugar or creamers.
Alcohol is not permitted during the 3 days of the military diet. However, you can drink alcohol on your days off, which is the remaining 4 days of the week.











































