5-Factor Diet, by Harley Pasternak, is a super-sized (256 pages in hardcopy) expansion of the dieting section of his 2004 book 5-Factor Fitness, which is based around the factor 5 - 5 meals a day, 5 workouts a week of 5 exercises each.
The book includes over 40 pages of recipes for sample meals.
The principles outlined are:
Sundays are considered a ‘cheat day’ - eat what you like, while sticking to the 5-meals principle.
Sugar-free cereal with at least 5 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving,(eg Kashi Go Lean!), with some fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries. Use non-fat cottage cheese or sugar-free yogurt in place of cereal for a change.
For something warm, use egg whites as a base for a low-fat omelette, or try the Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal Frittata.
For hot cereal, make some oatmeal and blend in a scoop of whey-protein powder.
Soups & salads, with no-flour bread or tortilla for open sandwiches or wraps, or a rice cake.
Lean chicken/steak/fish for protein, and fibrous, moderate-GI carbs in vegetables like wild rice, squash, sweet potato, broccoli, spinach, or cauliflower.
| Sample 1 | Food | Protein | Carbohydrate |
| Breakfast | Apple-cinnamon oatmeal frittata | Egg whites | Dries apples |
| Morning Snack | Nonfat cottage cheese | Apple | |
| Lunch | Curried chicken salad | Chicken breast, nonfat yogurt | Slice of no-flour bread |
| Afternoon Snack | Veggie salami, nonfat cheese | Brown rice cake | |
| Dinner | Lemon salmon | Salmon | Quinoa, side salad |
| Day 2 | |||
| Breakfast | Cereal | Skim milk | Kashi Go! Lean cereal |
| Morning Snack | 5-Factor protein shake | Whey protein | Frozen berries |
| Lunch | H-P’s Big-City Chili | Lean ground beef | Mixed beans, stewed tomatoes |
| Afternoon Snack | Smoked salmon, nonfat cream cheese | Slice of no-flour toast | |
| Dinner | Grilled chicken breast | Wild rice, broccoli | |
| Day 3 | |||
| Breakfast | 5-Factor frittata | egg-whites, nonfat cheese, chicken |
bell pepper |
| Morning Snack | Cinnamon apple treat | Nonfat yogurt | apple |
| Lunch | 5-Factor Reuben | Turkey pastrami, nonfat cheese | Sauerkraut, no-flour bread |
| Afternoon Snack | Jerky | beef, turkey or salmon | 1 piece fruit |
| Dinner | Asian wraps | Ground chicken breast | Shiitake mushrooms, Boston lettuce |
| Day 4 | |||
| Breakfast | 5-Factor french toast | Egg whites, nonfat milk | 2 slices no-flour bread |
| Morning Snack | Nonfat yohurt | Peach | |
| Lunch | Turkey stew | Turkey breast | Sweet potatoes, tomatoes |
| Afternoon Snack | Thai Egg Strips | Egg whites | Shallot, scallion, red chili |
| Dinner | Fillet of Tilapia | Spaghetti, squash, sidesalad | |
| Day 5 | |||
| Breakfast | Cereal | Skim milk | Kashi Go! Lean cereal |
| Morning Snack | 5-Factor Berry Shake | Whey protein | Frozen berries |
| Lunch | Chef salad | Turkey breast, boiled egg whites, nonfat cheese | Romaine lettuce |
| Afternoon Snack | Nonfat French onion/sour cream dip | Celery sticks | |
| Dinner | "I can’t believe it’s not Pizza" Pizza | Veggie pepperoni, nonfat cheese | Flourless wrap, tomatoes |
| Day 6 | |||
| Breakfast | Breakfast Burrito | Egg whites, veggie bacon, nonfat cheese | Flourless wrap, salsa |
| Morning Snack | Nonfat cottage cheese | Pear | |
| Lunch | Mediterranean Tuna Salad | Albacore Tuna, chickpeas | Tomato, lettuce |
| Afternoon Snack | Turkey breast slices, nonfat cream cheese | Lettuce, green pepper | |
| Dinner | Grilled chicken breast | Sweet potato, peas | |
| Day 7 Free day - eat as much as you want | |||
This diet sounds okay i will have to try is because i am just getting bigger an biggeriam now 20 stone. but it sounds really expensive
Its ok if you’re American but most of the things on this menu sound like they are in another language! I’m in the UK
nice one dude.!! but i thnk u gta make it for free=p
I’m goin to try this diet out. I have to prepare for cross country and other sports so this will defiantly help me out in loosin extra fat and gainin more muscle.
i think dat dis sounds expensive like all diet plans do not every one has da money for these plans and maby you shuld make this diet free if you really wanna help ppl loose weight
this sample menue list is not easy to follow. Curried chicken…okay…the recipe? I agree with the others. If you are listed as a diet to try, make it free.
Thank you for the sample menu of the diet, I got several ideas of what to eat. As far as expense goes, people have to buy food either way, make healthier food choices, make healthier cooking choices. Most of the items on this list don’t cost any more than what you would normally buy at the store.
I’ll try this. It cost more to eat out than if i just go shopping and at least i know what i’m really eating. I think these are healthy food choices.
I’ve read this book. I’ve used the diet/excercise program and not only it works for lowering weight, it makes you look good with a fine tune-up body… really, buy the book (and use it…obviously!) *****
Sounds like a balanced plan to me
“I can’t believe it’s not Pizza” Pizza
what do you mean by that ???
this is a brilliant diet. me and boo love it