How Did Chrono Diet Originate?

The Chrono diet, which focuses on the quality, quantity, and timing of meals, arises from the understanding that the third pillar of healthy eating—when we eat—is often neglected. The body operates according to various rhythms and cycles, such as sleep cycles, hormonal rhythms, and neurotransmitter rhythms. The Chrono diet is based on the idea of aligning nutrition with the body’s biological clock.

It originated in France during the 1980s, inspired by Ayurveda and ancient Chinese medicine. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of meal timing for health preservation, while Chinese medicine asserts that each organ has its own rhythm.

These healing systems together suggest that following the body’s rhythm through diet contributes to better health.

The Chrono diet is not seen merely as a diet, but as a way of life, considering the quality, quantity, and timing of food consumption, similar to vegetarianism.

The benefits of the Chrono diet over a longer period include reduced cellulite, healthier skin, better digestion, maximum nutrient absorption, weight management, fat loss, cholesterol regulation, reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, reduced risk of diabetes, strengthened immune system, and balanced hormones.

The Chrono diet restriction is not just a weight loss diet; it is an approach to food and lifestyle. The restriction, which lasts for about 28 days, aims to cleanse the body of toxins before weight loss begins.

Rules of the Restriction Phase:

• Before breakfast, herbal tea or warm lemon water is allowed, but coffee is not recommended. During the day, a maximum of two cups of coffee is permitted—one after breakfast and one after lunch.
• Alcohol is not allowed, except for red wine, which can be consumed up to four glasses per week.
• Milk is completely excluded, while dairy products are allowed only for breakfast, up to three times per week.
• No snacks are allowed during the restriction period.
• Fruits and starchy vegetables (such as beets, beans, potatoes, peas, rice, and carrots) are not permitted.
• Meals should be spaced 5 to 5.5 hours apart. The gap between meals should not be shorter than 4 hours or longer than 6 hours.
• All sugars are eliminated during the restriction phase.
• White flour is not used; instead, corn, buckwheat, oat, barley, and rye flours are permitted.
• Whole grains are allowed, but store-bought cereals should be avoided.
• Processed meats are allowed for breakfast, while meat is permitted at every meal. It is recommended to avoid mixing two types of meat in the same meal. Whole eggs are allowed for breakfast, while only egg whites are permitted for other meals.
• It is important to note that many experts do not support the restriction phase, but it is often used to achieve faster weight loss results. After the restriction phase, the plan transitions to an unrestricted period, representing a long-term healthy diet.

Before starting the restriction phase, consult a nutritionist to tailor the diet plan to your individual needs.