Abs Diet

The Abs Diet is a nutritional diet created by Men's Health Magazine editor David Zinczenko. It is designed to be implemented as a life-style change.

The diet emphasizes the so-called Twelve Power Foods. The diet recommends six small meals spread throughout the day. Each major meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner) should contain at least three of the Power Foods. The snacks should contain at least one "Power Food".

Twelve power foods

  • Almonds and other nuts
  • Beans and legumes
  • Spinach and other green veggies
  • Dairy (fat-free/low-fat)
  • Instant oatmeal (no sugar added)
  • Eggs
  • Turkey/lean meat (steak, chicken and fish)
  • Peanut butter (all-NATURAL, and limit to 3 tablespoons per day max)
  • Olive Oil (Extra Virgin)
  • Whole grain bread/cereal
  • Extra protein (whey) powder
  • Raspberries and other berries

Eat often foods

  • Apple sauces
  • Asparagus
  • Avocados
  • Bananas
  • Brown rice
  • Canadian BaCon
  • Canola oil
  • Citrus fruit and juices
  • Fruit juice (sugar-free)
  • Lean game (ostrich, etc.)
  • Garlic
  • Lentils
  • Mushrooms
  • Melons
  • Peaches
  • Peanut oil
  • Peas
  • Peppers
  • Popcorn (fat-free)
  • Shellfish (bivalves)
  • Soup (broth-based)
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Sweet potatoes

Eat occasionally

  • Baked potatoes
  • Beer (light)
  • Butter (light)
  • Chocolate
  • Coffee
  • Lamb
  • Lasagna
  • Lunchmeat
  • Macaroni
  • Margarine
  • Nuts
  • Pudding
  • French fries (only if not cooked in vegetable oil)
  • Graham crackers
  • Granola (low fat)
  • Ham
  • Honey
  • Ice cream (low fat)
  • Jam and marmalade
  • Pork tenderloin
  • Rice
  • Sauerkraut
  • Sorbet
  • Sherbet
  • Veal
  • White wine
  • Frozen yogurt

The diet also includes an exercise program.

Books

  • The Abs Diet: The Six-Week Plan to Flatten Your Stomach and Keep You Lean for Life by David Zinczenko and Ted Spiker. Hardcover (ISBN 1-57954-998-5) 2004, Softcover (ISBN 1-59486-216-8) 2005.
  • The Abs Diet Get Fit Stay Fit Plan: The Exercise Program to Flatten Your Belly, Reshape Your Body, and Give You Abs for Life! by David Zinczenko and Ted Spiker. Hardcover (ISBN 1-59486-409-8) 2005.
  • The Abs Diet Eat Right Every Time Guide by David Zinczenko and Ted Spiker. Paperback - Jan 5, 2005)
  • The Abs Diet 6-Minute Meals for 6-Pack Abs: More Than 150 Great-Tasting Recipes to Melt Away Fat! by David Zinczenko and Ted Spiker. Hardcover (ISBN 1-59486-546-9) 2006.
  • The ABS Diet: The Six-Week Plan to Flatten Your Stomach and Keep You Lean for Life: For Women by David Zinczenko. Hardcover (ISBN 1-59486-309-1) 2007.

There is also a workout DVD and some book titles are available as audio books.