GM diet prep: how to get ready
A few days of preparation make the GM diet week much easier to get through.
Before day 1
- Check the list of people who should not follow the plan. If you have a health condition or take medication, ask your doctor first.
- Pick a quiet week without exams, travel, celebrations or hard physical work.
- Shop for days 1 to 3 using the GM diet grocery list.
- Make a big pot of wonder soup the day before you start.
- Wash and cut fruit and vegetables in advance so the easy option is always the on-plan one.
- Cut down on alcohol, sugar and caffeine in the days before, so the change is less of a shock.
Before you start
The GM diet is very low in calories and protein on several days, and no clinical study has tested it. Do not follow it if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18, have diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, low blood pressure or a history of disordered eating, or take regular medication, unless a doctor has agreed. Stop and eat normally if you feel faint, dizzy, confused or unwell.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do the day before the GM diet?
Make a pot of wonder soup, shop for days 1 to 3, and wash and cut fruit so it is ready to eat.
Should I cut down on caffeine before starting?
Cutting down on caffeine, sugar and alcohol a few days before can make the change less of a shock.
Who should not start the GM diet?
People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18, have diabetes, kidney or heart disease, low blood pressure, a history of disordered eating, or take regular medication, unless a doctor agrees.
GM Diet MagicPlain-language guides to the 7-day GM diet, with honest answers about what it can and cannot do.
Food and tools
General information only, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or registered dietitian before starting any weight-loss plan. Medical disclaimer.