There are different types of diets - classic, strict, exotic, balanced, etc. Particularly notable is a group of contradictory methods that, at first glance, cannot get rid of extra pounds, but in fact turn out to be quite productive. The sour cream diet for weight loss is an assistant in the fight for slimness that no one would ever think about . However, this method of losing weight has its own characteristics, which must be taken into account in order not to achieve the opposite effect - the kilograms gained on a diet are unlikely to cheer you up.
It is known that 2 tablespoons of sour cream contain only 52 calories - the same as half a tablespoon of mayonnaise. And much less saturated fat than a glass of skim milk. In addition, sour cream is a close relative of butter. This means you are consuming natural animal fat and not dangerous trans fat.
Historically, fermented milk products have occupied an important place in our diet. We often use kefir, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream, both in pure form and as part of various dishes. Therefore, a sour cream diet is not an oxymoron at all, but a completely effective way to lose weight without harm to the body. Contrary to the opinion that sour cream is too fatty and spoils the figure, a sour cream diet can improve the health of the body.
General rules
There are many options for dietary programs based on fermented milk products.
In most cases we are talking about kefir, yogurt, fermented baked milk. However, there is such a fermented milk product as sour cream, which can also be used in the diet of people on a diet. At first glance, given the relatively high calorie content of this product, many doubt whether sour cream can be eaten on a diet. However, sour cream is compatible with dietary nutrition and with a properly structured dietary program, you can achieve a weight loss of 1-1.5 kg in 2 days. Since the duration of the sour cream diet is only 1-2 days, we can talk about both a diet and a fasting day on sour cream. Sour cream is a healthy fermented milk product, the nutritional value of which is determined by its constituent fatty acids, proteins, vitamins A , E , group B, H, C, choline , microelements (calcium, iron, potassium phosphorus, iodine, zinc fluoride, selenium). Sour cream is made from cream or full-fat milk, by lactic acid fermentation with the addition of a starter containing lactobacilli and mesophilic/thermophilic streptococci , which gives it a delicate and pleasant taste.
As for the choice of sour cream for the diet. For these purposes, dietary sour cream with a fat content of 10-12% is used. The product must be of high quality and natural, do not contain preservatives or thickeners, the sour cream must be white without yellow/gray impurities, and the consistency must be moderately thick and homogeneous. Do not use various kinds of “sour cream”, which are a sour cream product and contain many different additives (thickeners, stabilizers, preservatives, vegetable fats). Pay attention to the expiration date of the product. The calorie content of 10% sour cream is 115 kcal/100 g of product.
The sour cream diet is a mono-diet and involves the inclusion of only sour cream in the diet. No other food products are consumed. The amount of sour cream can vary between 400-500 g/day, which is divided into 4-5 doses. A prerequisite is sufficient fluid intake (1.5 l/day) in the form of green/herbal tea without sugar, rosehip decoction, table still water.
The diet is extremely unbalanced, there are practically no proteins and carbohydrates. Accordingly, it cannot be abused and practiced for more than 3 days. The best option is 1-2 days. Due to the low caloric content of the diet (about 600 kcal/day), negative phenomena such as weakness and dizziness .
It is recommended to limit the level of physical activity on diet days.
Choosing fat content
What fat content to choose is up to you to decide for yourself. If you have set yourself a clear goal - weight loss, then you will need to take 10-15%, if you want to arrange a so-called fasting day for yourself - you can give preference to thicker sour cream - twenty percent, for example. Be careful, if you have problems with the heart and blood vessels, then you need to avoid the high fat content of the product. On average, sour cream has the following calorie content: from 100 to 300.
So, we will divide four hundred grams of just purchased sour cream into approximately equal-sized portions of eighty grams. For 1 meal you need to eat only 1 serving. In this case, about three hours should pass between snacks! You may think that eighty grams is very little, but don’t give up, use the technique: eat from a small bowl and with a small spoon, trying to enjoy the product.
Such a “proven” indicator as a standing spoon is not suitable for determining the quality of store-bought sour cream. With the help of thickeners and emulsifiers it is possible to make it as thick as you like, without maintaining the required fat content. Natural diet sour cream is runny, and the higher the calorie content, the denser the consistency.
Consumers determine a quality product by appearance and organoleptic properties:
- light cream color, uniform;
- homogeneous consistency without lumps and grains;
- the surface is smooth with a glossy shine;
- taste – typical fermented milk, without foreign flavors;
- when poured, it flows out as a viscous mass with the formation of slides and “waves”, which gradually level out to a flat surface.
“Chemical” sour cream comes out in chunks, doesn’t even out, and doesn’t shine. A too sour or bitter taste indicates that the product is spoiled, and a taste of melted butter indicates that milk powder has been added to the recipe.
What fat content to choose is up to you to decide for yourself. If you have set yourself a clear goal - weight loss, then you will need to take 10-15%, if you want to arrange a so-called fasting day for yourself - you can give preference to thicker sour cream - twenty percent, for example. Be careful, if you have problems with the heart and blood vessels, then you need to avoid the high fat content of the product. On average, sour cream has the following calorie content: from 100 to 300.
Authorized Products
The sour cream diet can only include low-calorie (10-12%) sour cream and drinks (mineral water, rosehip infusion, green/herbal teas).
Table of permitted products
Proteins, g | Fats, g | Carbohydrates, g | Calories, kcal | |
sour cream 10% (low-fat) | 3,0 | 10,0 | 2,9 | 115 |
sour cream 12% | 2,7 | 12,0 | 3,9 | 133 |
mineral water | 0,0 | 0,0 | 0,0 | — |
green tea | 0,0 | 0,0 | 0,0 | — |
* data is per 100 g of product |
Sour cream is prohibited
Any disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract are a contraindication for consuming sour cream not only during the diet, but also during normal meals. An increased acid-base balance in the stomach when even 10% fat sour cream gets into it can cause heartburn, which is unpleasant and dangerous for the esophagus. Heaviness in the stomach is the second side effect if sour cream is eaten during a diet for intestinal pathology.
Although gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, ulcers) in themselves are a contraindication for many weight loss methods. Only a special diet prescribed by a gastroenterologist is relevant in this situation if you want to lose weight and bring the digestive process and digestive organs back to normal.
Functional changes in the liver and gall bladder also do not allow the inclusion of sour cream in the daily menu.
Fully or partially limited products
Since the sour cream diet is a strict mono-diet, the inclusion of other foods and dishes in the diet is not allowed.
Table of prohibited products
Proteins, g | Fats, g | Carbohydrates, g | Calories, kcal | |
Vegetables and greens | ||||
vegetables legumes | 9,1 | 1,6 | 27,0 | 168 |
boiled peas | 6,0 | 0,0 | 9,0 | 60 |
zucchini | 0,6 | 0,3 | 4,6 | 24 |
broccoli | 3,0 | 0,4 | 5,2 | 28 |
Brussels sprouts | 4,8 | 0,0 | 8,0 | 43 |
cabbage | 1,2 | 0,2 | 2,0 | 16 |
cauliflower | 2,5 | 0,3 | 5,4 | 30 |
potato | 2,0 | 0,4 | 18,1 | 80 |
watercress | 2,3 | 0,1 | 1,3 | 11 |
red onion | 1,4 | 0,0 | 9,1 | 42 |
bulb onions | 1,4 | 0,0 | 10,4 | 41 |
carrot | 1,3 | 0,1 | 6,9 | 32 |
cucumbers | 0,8 | 0,1 | 2,8 | 15 |
olives | 0,8 | 10,7 | 6,3 | 115 |
salad pepper | 1,3 | 0,0 | 5,3 | 27 |
celery | 0,9 | 0,1 | 2,1 | 12 |
tomatoes | 0,6 | 0,2 | 4,2 | 20 |
dill | 2,5 | 0,5 | 6,3 | 38 |
horseradish | 3,2 | 0,4 | 10,5 | 56 |
garlic | 6,5 | 0,5 | 29,9 | 143 |
Fruits | ||||
apricots | 0,9 | 0,1 | 10,8 | 41 |
avocado | 2,0 | 20,0 | 7,4 | 208 |
watermelon | 0,6 | 0,1 | 5,8 | 25 |
melon | 0,6 | 0,3 | 7,4 | 33 |
figs | 0,7 | 0,2 | 13,7 | 49 |
mango | 0,5 | 0,3 | 11,5 | 67 |
nectarine | 0,9 | 0,2 | 11,8 | 48 |
peaches | 0,9 | 0,1 | 11,3 | 46 |
baked sweet and sour apples | 0,5 | 0,5 | 12,3 | 59 |
Berries | ||||
grape | 0,6 | 0,2 | 16,8 | 65 |
strawberry | 0,8 | 0,4 | 7,5 | 41 |
raspberries | 0,8 | 0,5 | 8,3 | 46 |
Mushrooms | ||||
mushrooms | 3,5 | 2,0 | 2,5 | 30 |
Nuts and dried fruits | ||||
raisin | 2,9 | 0,6 | 66,0 | 264 |
dates | 2,5 | 0,5 | 69,2 | 274 |
Snacks | ||||
potato chips | 5,5 | 30,0 | 53,0 | 520 |
Cereals and porridges | ||||
porridge | 3,3 | 1,2 | 22,1 | 102 |
buckwheat (kernel) | 12,6 | 3,3 | 62,1 | 313 |
oatmeal with water | 3,0 | 1,7 | 15,0 | 88 |
cereals | 11,9 | 7,2 | 69,3 | 366 |
pearl barley | 9,3 | 1,1 | 73,7 | 320 |
wheat bran | 15,1 | 3,8 | 53,6 | 296 |
white rice | 6,7 | 0,7 | 78,9 | 344 |
barley grits | 10,4 | 1,3 | 66,3 | 324 |
Flour and pasta | ||||
pasta | 10,4 | 1,1 | 69,7 | 337 |
pancakes | 6,1 | 12,3 | 26,0 | 233 |
vareniki | 7,6 | 2,3 | 18,7 | 155 |
pancakes | 6,3 | 7,3 | 51,4 | 294 |
dumplings | 11,9 | 12,4 | 29,0 | 275 |
Bakery products | ||||
buns | 7,2 | 6,2 | 51,0 | 317 |
wheat bread | 8,1 | 1,0 | 48,8 | 242 |
Confectionery | ||||
jam | 0,3 | 0,2 | 63,0 | 263 |
jam | 0,3 | 0,1 | 56,0 | 238 |
candies | 4,3 | 19,8 | 67,5 | 453 |
cookie | 7,5 | 11,8 | 74,9 | 417 |
cake | 3,8 | 22,6 | 47,0 | 397 |
jam | 0,4 | 0,2 | 58,6 | 233 |
dough | 7,9 | 1,4 | 50,6 | 234 |
halva | 11,6 | 29,7 | 54,0 | 523 |
Cakes | ||||
cake | 4,4 | 23,4 | 45,2 | 407 |
Chocolate | ||||
chocolate | 5,4 | 35,3 | 56,5 | 544 |
Raw materials and seasonings | ||||
seasonings | 7,0 | 1,9 | 26,0 | 149 |
mustard | 5,7 | 6,4 | 22,0 | 162 |
ginger | 1,8 | 0,8 | 15,8 | 80 |
mayonnaise | 2,4 | 67,0 | 3,9 | 627 |
honey | 0,8 | 0,0 | 81,5 | 329 |
sugar | 0,0 | 0,0 | 99,7 | 398 |
vinegar | 0,0 | 0,0 | 5,0 | 20 |
Dairy | ||||
milk 3.2% | 2,9 | 3,2 | 4,7 | 59 |
condensed milk | 7,2 | 8,5 | 56,0 | 320 |
Cheeses and cottage cheese | ||||
cheese | 24,1 | 29,5 | 0,3 | 363 |
amber processed cheese | 7,0 | 27,3 | 4,0 | 289 |
cottage cheese 18% (fat) | 14,0 | 18,0 | 2,8 | 232 |
Meat products | ||||
fatty pork | 11,4 | 49,3 | 0,0 | 489 |
pork fat | 1,4 | 92,8 | 0,0 | 841 |
salo | 2,4 | 89,0 | 0,0 | 797 |
beef | 18,9 | 19,4 | 0,0 | 187 |
boiled beef tongue | 23,9 | 15,0 | 0,0 | 231 |
veal | 19,7 | 1,2 | 0,0 | 90 |
bacon | 23,0 | 45,0 | 0,0 | 500 |
Sausages | ||||
boiled sausage | 13,7 | 22,8 | 0,0 | 260 |
smoked sausage | 28,2 | 27,5 | 0,0 | 360 |
smoked sausage | 16,2 | 44,6 | 0,0 | 466 |
smoked sausage | 9,9 | 63,2 | 0,3 | 608 |
sausages | 10,1 | 31,6 | 1,9 | 332 |
sausages | 12,3 | 25,3 | 0,0 | 277 |
Bird | ||||
smoked chicken | 27,5 | 8,2 | 0,0 | 184 |
duck | 16,5 | 61,2 | 0,0 | 346 |
goose | 16,1 | 33,3 | 0,0 | 364 |
Fish and seafood | ||||
salted fish | 19,2 | 2,0 | 0,0 | 190 |
pink salmon | 20,5 | 6,5 | 0,0 | 142 |
caviar | 36,0 | 10,2 | 0,0 | 123 |
cod roe | 24,0 | 0,2 | 0,0 | 115 |
squid | 21,2 | 2,8 | 2,0 | 122 |
shrimps | 22,0 | 1,0 | 0,0 | 97 |
salmon | 19,8 | 6,3 | 0,0 | 142 |
mussels | 9,1 | 1,5 | 0,0 | 50 |
seaweed | 0,8 | 5,1 | 0,0 | 49 |
canned fish | 17,5 | 2,0 | 0,0 | 88 |
semi-finished fish products | 12,5 | 6,7 | 14,7 | 209 |
zander | 19,2 | 0,7 | — | 84 |
cod | 17,7 | 0,7 | — | 78 |
trout | 19,2 | 2,1 | — | 97 |
hake | 16,6 | 2,2 | 0,0 | 86 |
pike | 18,4 | 0,8 | — | 82 |
Oils and fats | ||||
vegetable oil | 0,0 | 99,0 | 0,0 | 899 |
butter | 0,5 | 82,5 | 0,8 | 748 |
creamy margarine | 0,5 | 82,0 | 0,0 | 745 |
coconut oil | 0,0 | 99,9 | 0,0 | 899 |
linseed oil | 0,0 | 99,8 | 0,0 | 898 |
vegetable-fat spread | 0,0 | 40,0 | 0,0 | 360 |
animal fat | 0,0 | 99,7 | 0,0 | 897 |
cod liver oil | 0,0 | 99,8 | 0,0 | 898 |
cooking fat | 0,0 | 99,7 | 0,0 | 897 |
Alcoholic drinks | ||||
white dessert wine 16% | 0,5 | 0,0 | 16,0 | 153 |
vodka | 0,0 | 0,0 | 0,1 | 235 |
liquor | 0,3 | 1,1 | 17,2 | 242 |
beer | 0,3 | 0,0 | 4,6 | 42 |
Non-alcoholic drinks | ||||
cola | 0,0 | 0,0 | 10,4 | 42 |
coffee | 0,2 | 0,0 | 0,3 | 2 |
sprite | 0,1 | 0,0 | 7,0 | 29 |
energy drink | 0,0 | 0,0 | 11,3 | 45 |
Juices and compotes | ||||
rose hip juice | 0,1 | 0,0 | 17,6 | 70 |
* data is per 100 g of product |
Recipes
You should prepare an apple and carrot salad. For it you will need:
- green apple,
- carrot,
- 1 tbsp. l. sour cream.
Peel the apple and carrots and chop them on a coarse grater. Mix the resulting mass with sour cream.
A vegetable salad will be beneficial. It will require:
- 1 sweet pepper,
- 1 cucumber
- 1 large or 2 small tomatoes,
- boiled broccoli,
- 2 tbsp. l. sour cream,
- greenery.
Cut the pepper and cucumber into strips, dice the tomatoes, divide the broccoli into small florets. Add sour cream and stir. Garnish with fresh herbs.
To prepare dietary sour cream sauce you need to take:
- 50 g 10% sour cream,
- 10 g of premium wheat flour.
Sift the flour and dry it in a frying pan for a few seconds. Then, stirring, add sour cream. Bring the mixture to a boil, remove from heat and stir thoroughly.
This sauce will be a good addition to stewed vegetables or lean meats and will not add extra centimeters to your waist.
To prepare dietary sour cream jelly you need:
- 800 g 10% sour cream,
- 1 tbsp. l. cane sugar,
- 30 g gelatin,
- fruits.
Gelatin must be dissolved in warm water, then mixed with sugar and sour cream. Pour half of the resulting mass into bowls and put fruit in them. Pour in the rest of the mixture. Place in the refrigerator to harden for 8–10 hours. You can serve with fresh fruits, berries, mint leaves.
To prepare fruit salad you will need:
- kiwi,
- strawberry,
- a pineapple,
- green apple,
- 1 tbsp. l. sour cream.
Cut the pineapple and kiwi into small cubes, the strawberries in half, and chop the apple on a coarse grater. Mix the fruits and season them with sour cream. This breakfast will give you energy and give you energy for the whole day.
You can prepare a “Simple” salad. It will require:
- White cabbage,
- carrot,
- green apple,
- greens to taste,
- 1–2 tbsp. l. sour cream.
Peel the apple from the skin and seeds. Finely chop the cabbage, and chop the carrots and apple on a coarse grater. Add sour cream and mix thoroughly. Before serving, you can garnish with a few cranberries.
Zucchini-eggplant casserole will be beneficial. For this you need to take:
- 500 g zucchini,
- 400 g eggplants,
- 2 tsp. vegetable oil,
- 1 cup low-fat sour cream,
- 1 egg
- greenery.
You need to put the eggplants in salted water for half an hour. Then cut them and zucchini into rings and place one at a time in a baking dish. Sprinkle with vegetable oil and place in the oven.
Using a mixer, beat sour cream with eggs and herbs and pour this mixture over the browned vegetables. Bake until the vegetables are completely cooked. Before serving, you can sprinkle the dish with the remaining herbs.
Delicious green salad with cheese. For this you should take:
- 200 g cheese,
- 3 tbsp. l. low-fat sour cream,
- dill, parsley, lettuce, green onions.
The cheese must be cut into small cubes or grated. Add herbs and sour cream, mix well.
Try making baked fish. For it you will need:
- lean fish,
- sour cream,
- greenery,
- juice of half a small lemon,
- salt, spices to taste.
Clean the fish from entrails and bones, add salt and rub with spices. Then sprinkle with lemon juice, wrap in foil and bake in the oven. Serve with sour cream and herbs.
Reviews and results
The sour cream diet as a mono diet causes various responses, from positive to negative. The majority still believes that you can choose more organically suitable products for weight loss, and not resort to sour cream “exotics” with the risk of harming the body.
- “... I read information about the possibility of losing weight using sour cream. To be honest, I’m surprised by people’s desire to lose weight on such products. This is how you can lose weight using lard. I don’t know what motivates people to choose such products with a virtual absence of proteins and carbohydrates. Well, lose weight on cottage cheese with sour cream or cottage cheese with vegetables/fruits. Why such extremes? Or maybe it’s just the desire of some authors to act as “innovators” among the huge number of dietary programs”;
- “... The sour cream diet is very difficult to tolerate. I barely made it through 2 days, I was weak and in a bad mood, I was constantly hungry. The result is minus 1.2 kg. I don’t think this is my diet for weight loss.”