The principles outlined are:
- Eat 5 meals daily.
- Follow the 5 criteria for each meal.
- Spend 5 minutes in preparation for each meal, using only 5 ingredients.
- Workout 25 minutes 5 days a week for 5 weeks.
- Indulge in a weekly ‘cheat’ day.
It's important to note that while some experts believe that staying on the plan for the recommended five weeks can help you lose weight, most agree that the real value may come from being able to master the plan's unspoken rules -- smaller portions, fewer calories, and appetite control -- for life.
As Nonas noted in her review: "Ironically, the only drawback [to the 5 Factor Diet] is that the author presents this as a five-week plan. In fact, it is really a lifelong plan for a healthy lifestyle."
