https://nspnutrition.com/blogs/nutrition/the-steak-and-eggs-diet-and-why-it-worksThe First Versions of the Steak and Eggs Diet
Definition was most likely the first publication whereby Vince introduced the Steak and Eggs Diet, in which he called it the Maximum Definition Diet after the successful results he obtained from following this early form of a ketogenic diet. In this publication, Vince states the following in regards to the Steak and Eggs Diet:
“To begin with, all carbohydrates must be removed from a maximum definition diet. This means – all fruit, all vegetables, all salad greens, and all milk products. The only milk products that can be used are butter and cream. Any kind of meat, fish, or fowl and eggs are the only foods permissible. You must, however, eat some carbohydrates every four or five days because you will find that you will smooth out and veins and cuts will disappear. You will find also that you are not getting the pump you should and your strength will decrease. This is because a zero carbohydrate diet drains all the stored glycogen from the liver, and only carbohydrates will replenish it. But don’t try to eat a small amount of carbohydrates each day. You will only find that you are smoothing out”.
WOW! That is quite a bit of concentrated information to take in! In essence, Vince outlines some very basic rules regarding the Steak and Eggs Diet.
You can eat Animal proteins
You are not allowed to eat starchy carbs every day
You are not allowed to eat fruit or vegetables, ie fibrous carbs
You are not allowed to eat milk products except for butter and cream
You can eat carbohydrates every 4 or 5 days
Admittedly, although the rules to this diet are concise, they seem a little vague, to begin with. Let's have a look at his initial outline in Definition for a menu for the Steak and Eggs Diet:
Breakfast: Eggs no Limit, Meat no limit
Lunch: Same as breakfast
Dinner: Same as lunch
In this first mention of the Steak and Eggs Diet, there are basically no limits on what you can eat, as long as you eat Meat and Eggs. Simple. However, Vince never addressed how many carbohydrates you were allowed on your “cheat day”. This, as well as a more restricted menu, are described in his second mention of the Steak and Eggs Diet in his publication Vince Gironda’s Blueprint for the Bodybuilder:
“This has always been a strong man's favorite meal. No other meal combination produces the feeling of strength and energy (phosphorus in meat). Hamburger does not compete. The process of chopping up the meat destroys enzymes due to oxidation and other nutrients known and unknown. Beef and eggs sustain blood-sugar levels for six hours making lunch unnecessary. 3/4 pound of steak and 3-4 eggs supply 103 grams of first class protein fast, and is easy to digest. I personally achieved the best shape of my career on this diet. I used this diet for nine months, taking no supplements and with no adverse effects. I might add that after nine months of Definition Contest Training I found that I was growing - not just maintaining maximum condition. At this point, I can hear some of you complaining that this is not a balanced diet”.
Vince goes on to state: “Protein and carbohydrate are not compatible…..This is the reason I advise a spaghetti dinner (with tomato sauce only) every 72 hours on my Maximum Definition Diet”.
In Vince’s revised Steak and Eggs Diet, the menu looks like this:
Breakfast: 375gm Steak, 3-4 Eggs
Dinner: Same as Breakfast
Every 72 hrs have a meal of Spaghetti with sauce only
Vince basically ate only twice a day, stating that lunch was unnecessary, as the high-fat high protein diet that is the Steak and Eggs Diet would sustain his blood sugar levels, and therefore he would feel satiated until dinner time. Vince also reveals that he would recommend eating a pasta meal every 72 hrs for dinner, instead of a Steak and Eggs dinner. In my own opinion, this particular menu would satiate anyone. Imagen eating two enormous steaks every day with 3-4 eggs on the side!
