The Sirtfood Diet: Everything you need to know

Along with fat burning, Sirtfoods also have the unique ability to naturally satiate appetite and increase muscle function making them the perfect solution to achieving a healthy weight. And their health enhancing effects are so powerful that studies show them to be more powerful then prescription drugs in preventing chronic disease, with benefits in diabetes, heart disease and Alzhemier's to name just a few. It's no wonder that it is well established that the cultures eating the most Sirtfoods have been the leanest and healthiest in the world.

In our Sirtfood Diet trial participants lost 7 pounds in 7 days and reported feeling the best they ever had.

What does the Sirtfood Diet entail?

Phase 1 of the Sirtfood Diet is the hyper-success phase, a 7-day plan proven to help lose 7lbs. During the first three days, calorie intake is restricted to 1,000 calories per day, consisting of three Sirtfood green juices, plus one full meal rich in Sirtfoods. On days four to seven, calorie intake increases to 1,500 calories, comprising two Sirtfood-rich green juices and two Sirtfood-rich meals.

Phase 2 is a 14-day maintenance phase, where weight loss continues steadily. It's all about packing the diet full of a wealth of Sirtfoods in a sustainable and realistic way. This is achieved by eating three balanced Sirtfood-rich meals daily, along with a 'maintenance' Sirtfood green juice.

How is the Sirtfood Diet different to other diet plans?

A remarkable finding of the Sirtfood Diet trial is that participants lost substantial weight without losing muscle. In fact, it was common for participants to actually gain muscle, leading to a more defined and toned look. That's the beauty of Sirtfoods; they activate fat burning but also promote muscle growth, maintenance and repair. This is in complete contrast to other diet plans where weight loss typically comes from both fat and muscle, with the loss of muscle slowing down metabolism and making weight regain more likely.

Unlike conventional diets, participants never felt hungry and didn't suffer energy lulls, in fact, they were brimming with energy.

But what really marks out the Sirtfood Diet as special is that it's all about what you put onto your plate, not what you take off. It's about eating the foods you love not cutting foods out or demonising whole food groups. Forget calorie counting, forget low carb, forget low fat, and forget kooky food restrictions full stop. Dark chocolate, curry, and coffee are all very much on the menu, along with a bounty of other genuinely tasty foods. It's a highly effective way of eating for people who enjoy food.

Is the diet sustainable over a long period of time? Or is it better to just do a week of it, and then return to your normal eating habits?

The Sirtfood Diet is all about re-discovering the true meaning of the word 'diet'. Not some faddy means to lose weight at any cost, but a sustainable way of eating that reaps lifelong benefits. It's about incorporating the best foods nature has to offer into a way of eating that fits into daily life, works for the whole family, and keeps the body in perfect balance long after the initial hyper-success phase of the diet.

We know that the only successful diets in the long run are diets of inclusion, not exclusion. With that principle in mind, one of the things we love is the idea of 'sirtifying' your meals. That means taking some of our most cherished dishes and giving them a Sirtfood twist. Chicken curry, chilli-con-carne, pizza and pancakes all appear in the book, retaining all their great taste, but with heaps more goodness thanks to some simple swaps and Sirtfood inclusions.

What are the benefits of the diet?

In our Sirtfood Diet trial, participants lost an average of 7lbs in 7 days, including increases in muscle and muscle function. This dramatic effect on fat-burning, whilst promoting muscle, is one of the reasons that our Sirtfood-based diet has become so popular with anyone wanting to get lean and in great shape, just like the elite athletes and models who have championed this way of eating.

But to think of it purely as a weight loss diet is to miss the point. This is a diet that has as much to do with wellness as waistlines. Increased energy, clearer skin, feeling more alert, and better sleep are the pleasant 'side effects' from this way of eating. Sometimes the benefits are even more remarkable, including cases where following the diet in the longer term has even reversed metabolic diseases. In essence, it is a way of eating that lays the foundations for lifelong health and resistance to disease.

Are there any flaws?

The only complaint we've had so far is that people couldn't eat all the food. Not bad going for a 'diet'…

I lost the 7lbs, and have kept it off ever since - which is unheard of for me. I add more and more Sirtfoods to my shopping basket now, and I still cook some of the recipes in the book, because they really are delicious.

It's worth noting that I am rubbish at diets. There, I said it. I've done every single diet plan out there; from the Watercress Soup Diet to the 5:2, Atkins to the Paleo. Been there, done that, brought the T-Shirt (that never changes size).

What excited me about the Sirtfood Diet?

I was so intrigued by the fact that you could have coffee, chocolate and red wine. That's the dream, surely? Unfortunately the wine has to be cooked (but you won't be complaining when you eat chargrilled beef with a red wine jus, onion rings, garlic kale and herb roasted potatoes), the chocolate has to be 85% cocoa (not your fave Galaxy bar), and the coffee has to be sans frothy milk and caramel syrup. But still, if you want to lose weight and feel better about yourself these are the sacrifices you have to make.

The best bits?

Having rules. I really enjoyed following the recipe book to the letter And it incuding some of my favourite things; strawberries, chilli, medjool dates, rocket, turmeric. Everything that I cooked was tasty, and I was pleasantly surprised by how I enjoyed cooking meals from scratch.

The worst bits?

Having to stay in every night for a week. I wanted to do it properly, so my social life was nil and void. Top tip: Get hooked on a Netflix show. The Sirtfood green juice, which you have to drink three times a day for the first three days, and twice a day for the remainder of the week, was something I struggled to get used to. But knowing that I was going to have a gorgeous dinner come 6pm, it got easier and easier.

What did I take away from it...

The Sirtfood Diet has changed the way I think about food - I've kept the 7lbs off, and am recommending it to anyone who has a bad relationship with food. This isn't about starving yourself, or a quick fix, but it is perfect for someone who's getting married or going on holiday and wants to lose the bloat.

The Sirtfood Diet by Aidan Goggins & Glen Matten is published by Yellow Kite £7.99.

Now check out some of my favourite recipes from the book...