Not only does the Ice Cream Diet exist, but it also works.

This dietary regimen, acclaimed as the best summer weight-loss diet, was devised by Pietro Migliaccio, a nutritionist and President of the Italian Society of Nutrition.

Obviously, despite its name, it doesn’t promise weight loss in exchange for binges of ice cream in front of the TV. However, it does allow for consuming one or two ice creams a day and still losing weight. Which isn’t bad at all.

Here’s how it works and the weekly menu to follow to try it out.

How the Ice Cream Diet Works

Why the Ice Cream Diet Works

Prof. Migliaccio emphasizes the many benefits of ice cream, a food unfairly demonized.

Ice cream should always be integrated into the diet, primarily because it psychologically helps better cope with a dietary restriction regimen.

And because it’s rich in excellent nutrients: milk, eggs, sugar, coffee, cocoa or fruit, all foods with good nutritional value.

Furthermore, ice creams are rich in proteins of high biological value, quality fats, and quickly absorbable carbohydrates like lactose and sucrose.

Vitamins (especially A and B2) and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus are also not lacking.

And if you add a couple of wafers, a biscuit, or simply the cone (which is cereal-based), you also get some starch, making the meal truly complete and varied.

That said, it’s essential to consume ice cream as an alternative to the traditional meal, not as a dessert after a first and second course, because that would be like starting over from scratch at the table.

Incorporating Ice Cream into the Diet

Ice cream shouldn’t replace all meals of the day but only one of the main ones plus a snack.

The less caloric format, around 100/150 calories, is ideal for mid-morning or mid-afternoon snacks: a small fruit cone will work perfectly.

If you consume it instead of lunch, a 200-gram serving that provides approximately 350-400 calories is perfect. So, go ahead in these cases with cream flavors, which are more caloric compared to fruit flavors.

If you prefer lighter and fresher ice creams like lemon, strawberry, and grapefruit, go ahead with those, but also add a fruit salad to get a complete and healthier meal.

How Many Kilos Can You Lose with the Ice Cream Diet?

Following the rules and menus proposed by Pietro Migliaccio, you can lose up to three kilos in a few days.

In a week, you’ll feel less bloated, lighter, and also hydrated (ice cream is mainly composed of water, so it has a high thirst-quenching and hydrating power).

Even though it involves one or two ice creams a day, this diet is hypocaloric: the daily menus do not exceed 1100/1200 total calories.

When and How Long to Follow the Ice Cream Diet

The Ice Cream Diet should be followed for only one week, no longer.

This is because it’s a hypocaloric diet: 1200 calories are few, and that’s why you lose weight.

The good thing is that the restrictive regimen isn’t heavy or depressing. The reason is precisely the ice cream, a food that boosts mood both because of the sugar it contains and because of its freshness and its historical association with celebration, holidays, summer, and fun at circuses or amusement parks.

Monday’s Menu

The first day of the Ice Cream Diet can be based on a menu divided as follows: for breakfast, coffee (or tea) and two slices of toast with a veil of honey or jam.

As a mid-morning snack, two apricots or a fruit juice will be fine.

For lunch, go ahead with a packaged ice cream (biscuit ice cream or a cornetto). Alternatively, 400 grams of watermelon or a peach.

For a snack, treat yourself to a refreshing ice lolly and then for dinner, a plate of bresaola (80 grams) and a green leafy salad (to be dressed with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.

You can accompany the dinner with a loaf of bread weighing 40 grams or a packet of crackers.

Tuesday’s Menu

Breakfast, have a 125-gram yogurt (plain or fruit) made from semi-skimmed milk; add 20 grams of cereal.

Mid-morning snack, have a banana or a peach.

Lunch time, have a cup of fruit salad with cream ice cream plus one or two wafers.

In the afternoon, enjoy a small fruit frozen yogurt.

For dinner, have fish with potatoes (choose between sea bream, sea bass, or turbot) with a side of 200 grams of potatoes.

Wednesday’s Menu

For breakfast, have a glass of semi-skimmed milk, coffee with three cookies (about 30 grams each).

Mid-morning, have 200 grams of pineapple or a peach.

During lunch, go ahead with raw ham (80 grams) and melon (500 grams), to be enjoyed with bread (40 grams) or crackers (25 grams).

In the afternoon, have two chocolate-covered ice cream bonbons to treat yourself.

For dinner, have a cup of ice cream with two wafers and later a smoothie made with semi-skimmed milk and 250 grams of seasonal fresh fruit.

Thursday’s Menu

In the morning, have a fruit juice and a snack.

Mid-morning, have a pear or a peach.

For lunch, have an ice cream cone with your favorite flavors. If you choose creams instead of fruit, opt for smaller portions because they are more calorie-rich.

For a snack, have a packet of 25-gram crackers or 200 grams of cherries.

In the evening, have dinner with a skinless chicken thigh and salad or eggplants as a side dish (to be dressed with two teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil). Accompany with a slice of bread (40 grams) and finish with a refreshing ice lolly.

Friday’s Menu

Morning meal, have a cold tea with three biscuits (totaling about 30 grams of biscuits).

For snack, have a fruit juice.

During lunch, enjoy a coffee granita with cream and two wafers. As a snack, 200 grams of melon or 400 grams of watermelon will be more than enough.

For dinner, have a caprese salad based on light mozzarella (60 grams) and tomatoes, seasoned with two teaspoons of oil, basil, and spices to taste. It is also allowed to eat bread, always weighing 40 grams.

Saturday’s Menu

For breakfast, have a cappuccino and brioche. You may skip the mid-morning snack, but for lunch, have two tomatoes with rice and mixed green salad seasoned with a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil.

For a snack, a small fruit frozen yogurt or lemon granita will give you the right taste and perfect energy.

For dinner, treat yourself to a “yum” with a nice plate of spaghetti with clams or seafood risotto. As dessert, have a semifreddo.

Sunday’s Menu

For breakfast, have a glass of semi-skimmed milk with four slices of toast and two teaspoons of jam.

For lunch, have a portion of rice or cold pasta salad. 400 grams of watermelon or 200 grams of melon, and a lemon sorbet as dessert.

In the afternoon, a fruit ice cream will be ideal.

For dinner, have a hamburger with a side salad or peppers, seasoned with a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil. Bread weighing 40 grams, but if you skip it, you can treat yourself to much more: a brioche with ice cream and cream!

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This article first appeared on Grazia.it – Author: Camilla Sernagiotto