Regime Minçavie...

Minçavi program was developed in 1984 by Lyne Martineau, a Quebec mother of eight children. Disappointed restrictive diets, she wanted a way to eat well and still lose weight. It starts a bit like Weight Watchers, by organizing meetings of small groups. During the week, attendance grows from 10 to 30, then 50.

Demand is such that in 1986, Minçavi becomes a business. Animate groups of speakers that arise across Quebec. Dietitians and chefs add to the team over the years. The company now has 200 points of service located primarily in Quebec, but in Ontario and New Brunswick. Minçavi has also launched its range of food found in supermarkets in Quebec.

The promises of the regime

Based on Canada's Food Guide, Minçavi is a food program that is aimed at people who want to lose weight and those who want to learn to eat healthy. Since this is a program rich in protein and low in fat, menus kinds provide 25% protein, 25% fat and 50% carbohydrates.

Minçavi offers five programs, depending on gender, age, body mass index and physical activity level. If, after six weeks, a person loses more than two pounds per week, increasing its number of servings of certain food groups to slow weight loss.

The five programs

- Dynamic Program to 1400 cal per day
- Dynamic Program option to 1400 cal per day
- Programme energetic 1600 cal per day
- Active program to 1800 cal per day
- Programme muscled 2000 cal per day

Permitted and prohibited foods

Each program allows a specific number of servings of each food group in Canada. Under the program, the number of servings varies as follows:

- Grains: 3-7 servings
- Fruits: 3-6 servings
- Vegetables: unlimited (minimum 2 servings)
- Dairy: 2-4 servings
- Meat and Alternatives: 2 servings of 3 to 5 oz (85 g to 140 g) per meal plus a portion of an ounce (30g) for lunch only.
- Fat: 4-7 servings
- The focus is on the consumption of water, whole grain products, healthy fats, legumes. It also emphasizes quality food.
- The proposal is slightly modified in recent years. Today, no food is forbidden and no vegetable is rationed. It encourages participants enrolled in the program to listen to body signals, especially hunger.

Example of daily menu

Lunch
- 1 apple muffin

- 60 g of low-fat cheese
- 125 ml of apple juice

Collation
- Yogurt

Dinner
- Chicken and Rice
- Broccoli
- Cheese
- Peach Mousse

Collation
- Vegetables
- 45 ml of dressing

Supper
- Soup with lentils
- Flan maple flavored

For the
- Easy to follow, this system is ideal for a family who wants to adopt a healthy diet because its menus are balanced and adapt to social life. In fact, they can be taken both at home and in restaurants.
- Minçavi also selling prepared foods, it is easy to adopt at work or at home, for those who come later and do not have time to cook.
- The high protein intake and dietary fiber (from fruits, vegetables, legumes and cereals) fills much hunger, thus eat less.
- The distribution of food intake into three meals and three snacks can better metabolize energy consumed.

The cons
It takes the number of servings.

Health risks and against-indications
None known.

In conclusion ...

A healthy and balanced diet, pleasant to follow and may even help prevent cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and hypertension.