I don't believe in diets - and it was hard work - but following this plan improved my mood and health, and helped me form better habits” is code for “ate only protein and BabyBels and called it a lifestyle”. So I’m not going to pretend that the three-week “Metabolic Reset” I’ve just completed isn’t a diet, or that it wasn’t hard, or that I didn’t go hungry.
Stephenson is the founder of ARTAH supplements and has created a number of nutrition programmes that target common health complaints such as energy, gut health, metabolism, sleep, and hormone balance. She is also a hardcore, no nonsense, ex-athlete and former CEO of cult spinning company Psycle. With all this in mind, it’s complicated for me to admit I’ve spent the past three weeks, under Stephenson’s programme, avoiding all gluten, dairy and sugar and sticking to a strict programme of whole foods, intermittent fasting, some keto days and strictly no booze. But I’m delighted with the results, which include a 3.5kg weight loss and lots of delicious sleep. But it was all hard won – and really hard work.
The best thing? At £30 for the download, the programme feels really accessible. Supplements are also recommended, but I opt not to take these. In week two, when my sugar cravings are at their height, Stephenson promises me they will calm down, and sends me some. I ask Dr Zafar why this shift matters. “People who are metabolically flexible are better able to tap into using fat as a fuel source and therefore utilise stored body fat, leading to weight loss,” she explains. The opposite happens when we can’t switch between the two states, and use carbs as a fuel source instead of burning fat, which can lead to a greater likelihood of being insulin resistant and at risk of developing diabetes.
You don’t have to follow the ARTAH recipes, which include plenty of lean protein, oily fish, gluten-free grains, fruit, veg, herbs and spices, but they are very helpful as a guide. As well as ensuring you eat the right balance of protein, carbs and fat, they include interesting varieties of foods high in “phytochemicals”, which are said to improve all sorts of things, from circulation to cognitive health.