What Is It?
![Eating healthy 80% of the time gives you leeway to have freedom the other 20% of the time.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/80-20-weekend-diet/80-20-weekend-diet-s1-what-is-it.jpg?resize=650px:*&output-quality=75)
The idea is simple: Eat healthy meals 80% of the time, and have more freedom with the other 20%. But how it's done and how it will affect your weight can be different for everyone.
The 80%
![A healthy plate is one-half fruits and vegetables and the rest whole grains, lean protein, and a serving of low-fat dairy.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/80-20-weekend-diet/80-20-weekend-diet-s2-the-80-percent.jpg)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's federal diet guidelines can help you build a roster of "healthy" meals. The basic principle is to make half your plate fruits and vegetables, and change them up often. The rest of your plate should be whole grains and lean protein with a serving of low-fat dairy, like milk or yogurt, on the side. Try to limit saturated fat and added sugars.
The 80%: Vegetables
![Include a wide variety of vegetables in your daily diet.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/80-20-weekend-diet/80-20-weekend-diet-s3-80-percent-vegetables.jpg)
Add fresh, canned, or frozen ones to salads, or have them as side dishes or even entrees. Look for lots of different colors, which mean lots of different nutrients. You can steam, saute, roast, or grill them to change the flavors and find what you like best. Just watch the extra calories and salt in oils and sauces. Most adults should get around 2 ½ to 3 cups a day.
The 80%: Whole Grains
![Whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, popcorn, farro, and quinoa are healthy additions to your diet.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/80-20-weekend-diet/80-20-weekend-diet-s4-80-percent-whole-grains.jpg)
Look for these to be listed first on prepared foods like bread. Or go straight to the source with oatmeal, popcorn, farro, quinoa, or brown rice. Try to limit snacks, cakes, and cookies made with refined grains like white flour, though. They can spike your blood sugar. Adults should get around 3 ounces of grains a day (about 3 slices of bread or 1 ½ cups of rice).
The 80%: Dairy
![Include low-fat and fat-free dairy products and milk substitutes in your diet.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/80-20-weekend-diet/80-20-weekend-diet-s5-80-percent-dairy.jpg)
Go with fat-free milk, yogurt, soy, and nut milks to cut back on saturated fat. When you do have dairy fat, keep it to a minimum with low-fat versions of sour cream and cheese. Most adults should aim for around 3 cups of dairy a day.
The 80%: Protein
![Get your protein from lean meats, fish, peas, beans, nuts, seeds, eggs, and soy.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/80-20-weekend-diet/80-20-weekend-diet-s6-80-percent-protein.jpg)
Beef, chicken, and pork are fine, especially when they're low in fat, but it's better for your health to mix it up a bit. Fish, beans, peas, nuts, seeds, soy, and eggs add a variety of tastes for your palate and nutrients for your body. Adults should get 5 to 6 ounces of protein a day, including about 8 ounces of seafood each week.
The 20%
![If you eat healthy most of the time, you may be able to enjoy an occasional treat like a glass of wine, onion rings, or ice cream.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/80-20-weekend-diet/80-20-weekend-diet-s7-the-20-percent.jpg)
After you've eaten healthy most of the week, it's time to enjoy yourself -- within reason. You might have onion rings as a splurge at lunch, a glass of wine at dinner, or an ice cream treat for dessert. But keep in mind that overdoing it can send all your hard work out the window.
‘Cheat Days’ Approach
![Embrace healthy eating and special treats to stay balanced.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/80-20-weekend-diet/80-20-weekend-diet-s8-cheat-days-approach.jpg)
With this, you specify a couple of days each week to indulge a bit. But try not to think of your meals as "punishment" or "rewards." It's best to enjoy and embrace both your healthy meals and the special treats.
Calories Approach
![If you're trying to lose weight, limit your total caloric intake but allow 20% extra twice a week for treats.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/80-20-weekend-diet/80-20-weekend-diet-s9-calories-approach.jpg)
If you're trying to lose weight, you might want to be a little more specific and splurge for 20% of the recommended number of daily calories. For example, if your goal is 1,800 calories a day, you might have 360 more calories two days a week.
Mixed Approach
![A mixed approach involves incorporating treats into your everyday eating plan.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/80-20-weekend-diet/80-20-weekend-diet-s10-mixed-approach.jpg)
Here, instead of that double bacon cheeseburger and soda that you only get once in a while, you fold treats into everyday eating. Sprinkle a little sugar on your grapefruit in the morning. Have some fresh whipped cream and berries for dessert. It's a way to enjoy eating every day and keep a positive attitude toward food.
Can It Help You Lose Weight?
![Eating healthy foods most of the time may help you lose weight if you cut back on excess fat and calories.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/80-20-weekend-diet/80-20-weekend-diet-s11-can-it-help-you-lose-weight.jpg)
Because the 80-20 diet features a healthy, balanced diet with a few splurges, it may help you shed a few pounds if you use it to cut down on fattening foods and watch your calories. Any time you burn more calories than you take in, you’re likely to lose weight.
Exercise Is Important, Too
![You need to exercise if you want to lose weight and you can't rely on diet alone.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/80-20-weekend-diet/80-20-weekend-diet-s12-exercise-is-important.jpg)
If you're trying to lose weight, dieting alone usually isn't enough to get you where you want to be. To help your body burn more calories than you take in, aim for 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Weightlifting or pushups help build muscle, which burns calories all day long. If you can't hit the gym, a walk around the block at lunch is a good way to get moving.
Make It Personal
![Pick the version of the 80-20 diet that works for you.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/80-20-weekend-diet/80-20-weekend-diet-s13-makie-it-personal.jpg)
We're all different. Some people enjoy a little freedom at the end of the week, while others would rather indulge a little every day. Just make sure to talk with your doctor or a dietitian about whatever you decide. Your age, sex, weight, and activity level all play a part in what's a healthy diet for you.
Medical Conditions
![The 80-20 diet isn't appropriate for people who have certain medical conditions.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/80-20-weekend-diet/80-20-weekend-diet-s14-medical-conditions.jpg)
Another reason to talk with your doctor: The 80-20 diet isn't right for everyone. Certain diseases can get worse if you eat a lot of salt, fat, or sugar, even once in a while, so splurge meals can be a bad idea for some people. For example, if you have diabetes, sugar spikes could damage your eyes, kidneys, nerves, or heart.
Diet and Weight Loss: The 80-20 (or Weekend) Diet
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