McDonald’s diet is a fad diet for weight loss. TikTok celebrity and Tennessee grandfather Kevin Maginnis popularized it. He lost 21 lbs in 21 days with it. But is it healthy and safe?
The McDonald’s diet
McDonald’s diet is a trending weight loss fad diet on TikTok. Tennessee grandfather Kevin Maginnis, 56 created it and he also claims that he managed to lose 21 lbs using this diet in just 21 days. His aim is to lose 50 lbs in order to have an improved health and blood markers.
Kevin and his McDonald’s diet (Source: Entrepreneur)According to Kevin, he plans to eat nothing but only McDonald’s food for 100 days. His diet has five simple rules. He has made them himself and these rules are:
1. To have meals only from McDonalds for 100 days.
2. Consume meals three times a day. But the menu meal should be half portion. That would be calories deficit.
3. Have meals only when you feel hungry. He says:
‘I seek the heat before I eat. Don’t eat until I have that feeling of my body needs more food.’
4. Snacks are prohibited.
5. Maintain a food log. He reminds:
‘Every expert will say a food log will help you get on track with your fitness goals.’
Talking about his motivation, he said:
‘For me, it’s my grand babies, want to make sure my wife, my kids my grandkids, don’t have to see me in a hospital bed, I want to make sure my grand kids’ kids get to know me,’
Comments and concerns
Kevin revealed what people told him about this diet. He said:
“Starting off everyone’s like “No, you’re gunna die, why are you doing this? Rest in peace,”‘
‘Now, people are seeing that it’s working.’
The McDonald’s diet (Source: LADbible)He gathered a number of TikTok followers. Some were extremely worried for him. While for others he was an inspiration. But this diet has no studies to back it. It is high protein consumption. It makes Kevin remain full for longer time. And hence, his food and calories intake is lower leading to weight loss. But experts are worried because there is risk of increased saturated fat intake and likelihood of other nutritional deficiencies.
Expert opinion on the diet
Physician Idrees Mughal specializes in nutrition research. Idrees says:
‘He is consuming protein at each meal, which suppresses appetite and keeps you full longer. This could be leading to less snacking than he was doing before and a calorie deficit at the end of the day.’
‘It is the protein, and not carbohydrate, content that is important in promoting short-term weight loss and that this effect is likely due to increased satiety caused by increased dietary protein. It has been suggested that the increased satiety might help persons to be more compliant with a hypocaloric diet and achieve greater weight loss.’
The McDonald’s diet (Source: Men’s health)Kevin does portion control. That too helps in weight loss. And he does mindful eating. This type of eating also favors weight loss. The high saturated fats of these foods and high salt content are a matter of concern. Idrees states:
‘Diets high in saturated fat were associated with higher mortality from all-causes, CVD, and cancer. CVD, and cancer.’
Also, read Fad diets: Tips to differentiate good vs bad diets
These foods are also low in dietary fiber. Hence, despite the success in losing weight, nutritionists do not recommend this fad diet. Avoid it.