![Are Cucumbers Good for Weight Loss?](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/cucumber-vegetables-healthy.jpg?output-quality=75)
Cucumbers are good for weight loss when included in a healthy, calorie-restricted diet along with regular exercise. Cucumbers are tasty, popular, low in calories, and long, lean, and green garden vegetables that can help you slim down easily.
Cucumbers are both fruits and vegetables.
- Because they grow from a flower and contain seeds, a cucumber is a fruit.
- Due to their typical use to make salads, stir-fries, and other vegetable recipes, they are considered a vegetable.
What is a cucumber diet?
A cucumber diet is a popular short-term diet for faster weight loss.
This diet involves eating a whole lot of cucumbers over a one to two-week period and claims the tagline: “seven days for 7 kg,” which means you can lose up to 15 pounds (7 kg) in seven days.
The diet mainly consists of cucumbers, along with a few protein-rich foods, such as eggs, chicken, fish, and nuts.
The basic theory behind this diet is that because cucumbers are low in calories, a person can eat as many as they want and still be in a calorie deficit.
Rules of the cucumber diet
The main premise of the diet is that it is low in calories and high in water, with a few grams of bonus fiber.
- Eat a cucumber whenever you feel hungry.
- Make meals out of cucumbers, such as a cucumber smoothie and cucumber salad.
- Use a small amount of good fat, such as olive oil or flaxseed oil.
- Pair cucumbers with other protein-rich foods such as boiled eggs, lean meat, tuna, cottage cheese, and nuts.
- You can add some carbs to meals, such as toast, brown rice, or potatoes.
- Include other low-calorie vegetables, such as tomatoes, spinach, and celery.
What is the nutritional information about cucumber?
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 30 |
Total fat | 0 grams |
Carbs | 6 grams |
Protein | 3 grams |
Fiber | 2 grams |
Vitamin C | 10 percent of the daily value (DV) |
Vitamin K | 57 percent of DV |
Magnesium | 9 percent of DV |
Potassium | 12 percent of DV |
Manganese | 9 percent of DV |
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/foods-that-arent-as-healthy-as-you-think/foods-that-arent-as-healthy-as-you-think-s1-bulletproof-coffee.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think See SlideshowHow is the cucumber diet helpful for weight loss?
Cucumber is low in calories and contains a good amount of water and soluble fiber. It hydrates and helps lose weight by reducing appetite. It can provide a small number of nutrients, such as potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin K.
Because the cucumber diet is very low in calories, you can expect to lose weight. However, this weight loss will only occur for 7 to 14 days (the time till when you follow the diet).
Although no studies have reported the effect and sustenance of the cucumber diet specifically, it is unlikely that a person can lose a substantial amount of weight and keep it off once they resume their normal diet.
Depending on how many extra pounds you need to lose, you may follow this diet for 3, 7, or 14 days, but you may have rebound weight gain once you are off this diet.
Which foods are allowed in the cucumber diet?
The cucumber diet requires you to eat cucumbers at every meal.
Foods that are allowed include:
- Vegetables: Tomatoes, spinach, celery, and other vegetables in a small amount
- Protein: Chicken, lean beef, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage, and cheddar cheese
- Carbs: Brown rice, potatoes, and whole wheat bread
- Fats: Olive oil
- Beverages: A low-calorie drink, such as water or tea
Foods to avoid include:
- Fruits: Limited to smoothies or parts of a small meal
- High-sugar foods: Sweets, candy, desserts, and soda
- Cooking techniques: Roasting proteins is preferred compared with deep-frying
9 potential health benefits of cucumber
Cucumber has a high water content (about 96 percent of its weight), soluble fiber, and many nutrients and antioxidants that help prevent many diseases.
- Reduces the risk of cancer:
- Cucumbers contain lignans such as pinoresinol and lariciresinol that may help reduce the incidence of breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancer.
- Cucurbitacin, a phytonutrient, has been shown to have anticancer properties.
- Maintains blood sugar levels:
- The high fiber and antioxidant content of cucumbers help regulate blood sugar levels and lower the risk of diabetes complications.
- In addition, cucumbers have a low glycemic index (15), which is a metric that measures the presence of carbohydrates and their effect on the body.
- Improves hair and skin health:
- Helps detoxify the body:
- Cucurbitacin in cucumbers promotes healthy liver and digestive functions.
- Cucumber has excellent cleansing properties, which actively eradicate accumulated toxins from the body system.
- Helps strengthen the bones:
- Cucumber contains essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium, which helps strengthen bones and reduce the risk of bone disease and loss.
- Vitamin K aids in the absorption of calcium, bone production, and the prevention of osteoporosis.
- Reduces puffiness around the eyes:
- Cucumber has two potent antioxidants, ascorbic and caffeic acid, which help reduce swelling around the eyes by lowering water retention.
- Relieves constipation:
- Cucumber contains 95 percent water and two grams of fiber, which can restore the body's fiber and water content, preventing constipation and facilitating smooth bowel movements.
- Good for the nervous system:
- Aids in oral health:
- Cucumber phytochemicals fight microorganisms in the mouth, reducing bad breath.
What are the drawbacks of the cucumber diet?
Drawbacks of the cucumber diet include:
- It is restrictive:
- The cucumber diet restricts most food and encourages eating almost only cucumbers for up to two weeks.
- If you follow this diet for more than three days, you need to take additional vitamins to prevent vitamin deficiencies.
- This disordered eating can negatively affect the ability to control food intake and increase the risk of obesity.
- It is low in protein and fats:
- Cucumbers are naturally low in protein and fat, which are two essential macronutrients.
- Protein is vital for many functions in the body, such as the production of enzymes and hormones, maintenance of skin structure, and muscle growth.
- Fat is a concentrated source of calories, which are important for nerve function, brain health, and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K.
- It is not sustainable:
- A cucumber diet is not recommended for more than 14 days because of its extreme calorie restriction that can lead to a slower metabolism over time, resulting in regain of any lost weight.
- Restricting some food varieties such as fish, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits is not enjoyable or nutritious.
Rather than loading up on cucumbers, try a more balanced approach for a healthy weight loss. Cut out processed foods made with sugar and refined carbs, and eat small portions of good carbs including whole grains, starchy veggies, and fruits.
Subscribe to MedicineNet's Weight Loss/Healthy Living Newsletter
By clicking "Submit," I agree to the MedicineNet Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also agree to receive emails from MedicineNet and I understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet subscriptions at any time.
A sample of a one-week menu of the cucumber diet
Day 1
- Breakfast: A slice of whole-grain bread with a slice of cheese and cucumber
- Snack: A cup of chopped cucumbers with one egg
- Lunch: Grilled salmon with lemon juice and cucumber salad
- Snack: One orange
- Dinner: Cucumber and snap pea salad
Day 2
- Breakfast: Pineapple smoothie
- Snack: Two cucumbers with hummus
- Lunch: Roast pork and pickled cucumber sandwich
- Snack: Two cucumbers with half a cup of tuna
- Dinner: Vegetable salad with broccoli, green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and olive oil
Day 3
- Breakfast: Spinach, cucumber, and apple smoothie
- Snack: A cup of chopped cucumbers with flax seeds
- Lunch: Seared salmon with Israeli couscous cucumber salad
- Snack: One big green apple
- Dinner: Coriander roasted chicken with chickpea and avocado salad
Day 4
- Breakfast: A slice of whole-grain bread with a slice of cheese and cucumber
- Snack: Three cucumbers
- Lunch: Brown rice with chicken and cucumbers
- Snack: One banana
- Dinner: Spicy hoisin skirt steak with cucumber salad
Day 5
- Breakfast: Homemade granola with cherries, blueberries, and Greek yogurt
- Snack: Two cucumbers
- Lunch: Vegetable salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese
- Snack: Honeydew, cucumber, and mint beverage
- Dinner: Cucumber and charred onion salad
Day 6
- Breakfast: Spinach, cucumber, and apple smoothie
- Snack: Two cucumbers
- Lunch: Flatbread with fava beans, cucumbers, and burrata
- Snack: Cucumber salad with black mustard and cilantro
- Dinner: Savory peach and cucumber salad
Day 7
- Breakfast: Homemade granola with honey, rose berries, and Greek yogurt
- Snack: Two cucumbers
- Lunch: Crisp and crunchy chicken salad with cucumbers and carrots
- Snack: Two cucumbers with hummus
- Dinner: Vegetable salad with broccoli, green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and olive oil
From ![WebMD Logo](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/promo/logo_webmd.gif)
Nutrition and Healthy Eating Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Cucumber WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/cucumber-health-benefits
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CUCUMBER Narayana Health: https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/health-benefits-of-cucumber/
What Is the Cucumber Diet? Health: https://www.health.com/nutrition/cucumber-diet
Top Are Cucumbers Good for Weight Loss Related Articles
Diet Pills, Weight Loss Drugs, Suppressants
Maintaining a healthy weight is important because being overweight or underweight may lead to various health issues. Body mass index or BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.Beat Belly Fat
Could your job be to blame for your belly fat? It might be, if it stresses you out. But there are a number of ways to get rid of it.Diet & Weight Loss: Reasons You're Not Losing Belly Fat
If you're trying to lose belly fat but can't, there's probably a reason.Do People Get Jealous of Your Weight Loss?
You are so thrilled with your weight loss, and you might naturally expect that your friends and family will be equally happy. When you lose weight, you can trigger jealousy in others for a variety of reasons.Does Extra Skin Go Away With Weight Loss?
Typically, minimal saggy skin may return to normal shape after weight loss. However, skin stretched excessively for longer periods may require toning exercises or plastic surgery to remove the sagginess.Fasting
Fasting: It's simple and trending, though it's been around for thousands of years. Find out whether it might be a good option for you, and what the risks and benefits are.Obesity and Overweight
Get the facts on obesity and being overweight, including the health risks, causes, reviews of weight-loss diet plans, BMI chart, symptoms, causes, surgical and nonsurgical treatments, and medications.orlistat (Xenical, Alli)
Orlistat (Xenical, Alli) is a drug available in prescription and over-the-counter that promotes weight loss. Side effects include abdominal pain and discomfort, oily or fatty stools, gas (flatulence), oily spotting on underwear. Drug interactions, dosing, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any OTC or prescription medication.The 10 Best Diet Plans For Weight Loss
Diet means a reduction in calorie intake. For the optimal management of overweight and obese patients, a combination of diet, exercise, and behavioral modifications may be helpful. Weight loss is directly related to the difference between the individual’s energy intake and energy expenditure.Weight Loss Quiz
Are you trying to lose weight? Take this quiz to see what you can add to routine to get on the right track for results!Weight Loss: Tips to Lose 100 Pounds or More
These lifestyle changes -- suggested by experts and real people who've lost the weight -- can help you stay on the path toward a healthier body and a happier you. Find out for yourself with this WebMD slideshow.What Are the Most Effective Tips in Weight Loss?
If you want to lose weight, you may have been told to count calories. The most effective tips for weight loss include eating well, exercising regularly, and altering your lifestyle to achieve your goals.What Should I Ask My Doctor About Weight Loss?
With changes in lifestyle and standards of living, obesity is emerging as a pandemic. A higher than normal body weight puts you at risk of various diseases. Learn the 11 questions you should ask your doctor if you are planning to lose weight.