Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz online among Kenyans about a new weight loss trick involving a combination of six boiled eggs, avocado, and cucumber. The diet gained traction after a social media user shared her experience on X, claiming that the diet helped her shed pounds in just two weeks.
“I’ve lost general body weight, and I’m confident that before I reach one month, I’ll notice a huge difference,” she wrote. According to her, the purpose of the diet is to avoid sugar and excessive calories, which are harder to break down when insulin levels are high. As she puts it, “when insulin is high, the breakdown of fats becomes harder.”
While some Kenyans have praised the diet for its quick results, others have expressed concerns. Some users worry about potential skin breakouts due to the high egg intake, while others argue that the diet forces the body into ketosis a process associated with the ketogenic diet, where the body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates.
Despite the positive feedback from some users, others remain skeptical. Questions such as, “Why put yourself through this?” and “Why eat five or more eggs in one sitting?” highlight the concerns surrounding the drastic nature of the diet. Some even joke about the side effects, with one commenter humorously asking, “One egg makes me fart all day. Now six?”
The Nutritional Perspective
Kepha Tai, a nutritionist, provides a balanced perspective on the potential benefits of this diet combination. According to Tai, the combination of eggs, cucumber, and avocado can promote weight loss due to the unique roles each food plays.
“Eggs are rich in protein, which can increase satiety and decrease overall calorie consumption,” says Tai. “Avocados contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fats that help you feel full, while cucumbers, being low in calories and high in water content, are perfect for weight loss.”
This trio of foods is not only low in calories but also high in satiety, meaning you’ll feel full longer without consuming excessive amounts of food. For instance, a typical meal made from these ingredients might look like this:
- 2 boiled eggs: 140 calories
- 1/2 avocado: 120 calories
- 1 cup of sliced cucumber: 16 calories
This adds up to just 276 calories for a meal that’s both filling and nutritious.
The Key to Weight Loss: Caloric Deficit
The fundamental principle of weight loss, according to Kepha, lies in the concept of a caloric deficit. To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. The combination of boiled eggs, avocado, and cucumber helps achieve this by providing a satisfying, nutrient-dense meal that’s low in calories yet keeps hunger at bay. With fewer cravings, you’re less likely to snack on unhealthy, high-calorie foods.
Expert Advice: Sustainable Weight Loss
Despite the promising results, Kepha offers several tips for a more balanced approach to weight loss:
- Portion Control: While healthy, foods like avocados can lead to excessive calorie intake if consumed in large amounts. Stick to half an avocado per meal.
- Variety: While the egg, avocado, and cucumber combo is nutritious, it’s important to incorporate other food groups, such as vegetables, fruits, grains, and proteins, for a more balanced diet.
- Exercise: Incorporating both cardiovascular and strength training exercises helps increase your basal metabolic rate and prevents muscle loss, making it an essential part of any weight loss plan.
Kepha also emphasizes that no diet should rely solely on a few foods. While this combination offers some benefits, it cannot replace the nutrients provided by a more varied diet. For instance, important nutrients like calcium, iron, and vitamin C may be lacking if you only eat these three foods.
While the boiled egg, avocado, and cucumber combination might help some individuals achieve short-term weight loss, it’s not a sustainable solution on its own. A well-rounded, balanced diet, along with regular exercise, is key to long-term success. Weight loss is not about restrictive dieting or starvation; it’s about making positive, lasting changes to your lifestyle and dietary habits. As Kepha Tai puts it, “Focus on long-term habits that will help you live a healthier life, rather than short-term fixes.”
