Contrary to popular belief, it is quite possible to lose weight quickly and sustainably through healthy eating.

To achieve such an objective, it would be best to turn to a specific programme such as the express diet, the principle of which is based on respect for a balanced diet.

Here is an idea for a 1-week menu for effective weight loss.

Day 1

Breakfast: sugar-free tea, wholemeal bread, 1 portion of low-fat processed cheese, 1 cup of skimmed milk, ½ grapefruit

Lunch: veal escalope with vegetables, 1 slice of bread, 1 grated cucumber with yoghurt, fruit jelly

Dinner: plain tuna salad with 1 hard-boiled egg, some asparagus, lettuce, corn kernels and tomato, 1 portion of fromage frais in faisselle, 1 nectarine

Day 2

Breakfast: tea or coffee without sugar, 2 Swedish rolls, 10 g low-fat butter, 1 natural yoghurt, a glass of freshly squeezed citrus juice

Lunch: grilled lean pork, steamed carrots, watercress, 1 slice of bread, low-fat blue cheese, 1 peach

Dinner: smoked salmon and trout tartar, 2 steamed potatoes, green salad, gazpacho, fresh fruit salad

Day 3

Breakfast: sugar-free tea or coffee, 1 bowl of unsweetened cereals, 1 plain yoghurt, 100g strawberries

Lunch: red mullet fillet in foil, steamed cauliflower with parsley, tomato salad, 1 slice of bread, 1 plain yoghurt

Dinner: pan-fried chicken livers, fresh pasta with tomatoes and mushrooms, low-fat tomme cheese, a few cherries

Day 4

Breakfast: coffee or tea without sugar, 1 bowl of unsweetened cereals, 125 g of low-fat cottage cheese, 1 apple

Lunch: skate in jelly, salad of green beans, steamed potatoes and parsley lettuce with light dressing, 1 plain yoghurt, 1 melon

Dinner: ham on the bone, broccoli with low-fat cream, tomato juice, 1 slice of bread, low-fat tomato, ½ mango

Day 5

Breakfast: tea or coffee without sugar, 1 bowl of unsweetened cereals, skimmed milk, 1 peach

Lunch: grilled minced steak, steamed courgettes, 1 slice of bread, radish, some strawberries

Dinner: fried scallops, raw vegetables, spinach with leaves, 1 slice of bread, 1 plain yoghurt

Day 6

Breakfast: sugar-free tea or coffee, wholemeal bread with 10 g low-fat butter, 1 plain yoghurt, 1 portion of cheese, 1 glass of sugar-free lemon juice

Lunch: roast guinea fowl, couscous, vegetable juice, 1 fruit yoghurt

Dinner: low-fat cottage cheese with herbs, 1 Swedish roll, 100g strawberries

Day 7

Breakfast: sugar-free coffee, 1 bowl of unsweetened cereals, approx. 100 g low-fat cottage cheese, 1 peach

Lunch: pan-fried fillet of perch, tomato with cottage cheese, braised fennel, 1 fruit yoghurt

Dinner: egg scramble with ratatouille, green salad with parsley, 1 slice of bread, low-fat Camembert cheese, 1 peach

To benefit from the effects of the express diet, it is important to combine the dietary programme with regular physical activity that burns fat. You should also remember to drink plenty of water to help flush toxins from the body.