Abs Diet for Women

At a Glance

By Karen Asp

When the original Abs Diet debuted, it was geared toward men. Now David Zinczenko, the diet's creator and editor-in-chief of 'Men's Health,' has spun a new version for women. Like the one aimed at men, the Abs Diet for Women promises that within six weeks, you'll be sporting a flatter belly and a leaner physique.

The crux of the plan involves eating 12 power foods. According to Zinczenko, these foods provide the most nutrition, trigger lean muscle growth and rev the body's fat-burning abilities. They include almonds and other nuts, beans and legumes, spinach and other green vegetables, dairy (including fat-free or low-fat milk, cheese and yogurt), unsweetened and unflavored oatmeal, eggs, turkey and other lean meats, peanut butter, olive oil, whole-grain breads and cereals, extra-protein whey powder, raspberries and other berries.

Frequency of meals is another important component, and on this plan, you'll be eating six small meals a day. By doing this, Zinczenko claims you'll keep your metabolism ticking and avoid wild swings in blood sugar, which can lead to overeating.

You'll avoid calorie counting on this plan and it's even recommended that you ditch all of the diet's guidelines for one meal a week. Exercise also plays a role as well. Although it's optional in the first two weeks of the diet, it becomes mandatory during the last four. During this time, you'll follow a strength-training and aerobic exercise program.