FAQ - Commercial

Frequently Asked Questions - Nutritional Recommendations

• Why are there no quantities mentioned on the menus?
• Do men and women both receive the same menu suggestions?
• Do the menus take food allergies and lactose intolerance into account?
• What is a substitute for cow milk?
• How do I replace one suggested food item with another?
• If I get hungry after dinner, what would be a suitable snack?
• What is "smoked tempeh"?
• What is "jam"?
• What are "crackers"?
• What is "Muesli cereal"?
• What particular food brands are recommended?
• What is the difference between whole-wheat and whole-grain bread?
• What type of red wine is recommended?
• I'm not well informed about the types of cheeses available. Which do you recommend?
• What about vinaigrettes?
• Which type of yogurt should I choose?
• If I haven't achieved my ideal weight by the end of Stage 8, what should I do?

FAQ - Technical

FAQ - Nutritional

FAQ - General Comments

EMail

Why aren't quantities mentioned on the menus?

The Montignac Method is not a diet. It is a selective method as opposed to a restrictive one. By following the suggested menus and the recommendations provided during the virtual consultations, you'll learn to select foods according to their nutritional value as well as adopt new eating habits.
[  Back to Questions  ]

Do men and women both receive the same menu suggestions?

Menus do not vary according to sex. Since quantities are not mentioned, you eat according to your appetite whether you are a man or a woman. However, menus do vary according to your physical condition.
[  Back to Questions  ]

Do the menus take food allergies and lactose intolerance into account?

At the moment, our menu suggestions do not take food allergies or lactose intolerance into account. However, if you are allergic or intolerant of certain foods, it is essential that you adapt the menus according to your particular condition.

While some types of food allergies are discussed and replacements are suggested, it is your responsibility to tailor menus according to your allergies and/or intolerance.
[  Back to Questions  ]

What is a substitute for cow milk?

Soymilk is an excellent replacement for cow milk. It has a low glycemic index (20) and is rich in proteins, making it a very good substitute. Furthermore, soy is an also an antioxidant and some studies have shown that it can help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) as well as act as anti-carcinogenic.

However, since soymilk contains very little calcium, women, young girls, children and persons over the age of 60 should opt for soymilk that is enriched with calcium.

Goat's milk is also recommended for persons allergic to cow milk proteins or soy-based milk beverages. (See section on yogurt).

[  Back to Questions  ]

How do I replace one suggested food item with another?

It is important that you follow the menus as closely a possible, especially during Phase 1.

For your convenience, we are preparing a list that will facilitate the preparation of menus and help you manage exceptions. We will notify you by EMail as soon as it is online.
[  Back to Questions  ]

If I get hungry after dinner, what would be a suitable snack?

We strongly encourage you to eat the morning and afternoon snacks proposed in the menus. They will provide your body with the energy it needs to get through the day.

If you eat your daily snacks regularly and still get hungry after dinner, either have a slightly larger morning or afternoon snack or have a small snack during the evening consisting of either fresh fruit or yogurt (0%), especially if you go to bed late.
[  Back to Questions  ]

What is "smoked tempeh"?

Smoked tempeh is a vegetarian food made from fermented soy. It is packaged in sausage form and can be eaten cold or hot (after being pan-fried for a few minutes). It is generally eaten accompanied by vegetables.
[  Back to Questions  ]

What is "jam"?

Jam refers to all prepared fruit spreads made without added sugar or with a reduced sugar content. Light jellies and marmalades also fall under this category.
[  Back to Questions  ]

What are "crackers"?

Crackers refer to fibre-enriched dehydrated bread products.

[  Back to Questions  ]

What is "Muesli cereal"?

Muesli cereals are made from a combination of grains, nuts and dried fruits. There are many varieties of muesli available on the market. Choose brands without added sugar.

During Phase 1, muesli can be eaten with skimmed milk or with white cheese (0% b.f.) either for breakfast or as a snack.

Persons suffering from lactose intolerance should eat muesli with either soymilk or plain yogurt.
[  Back to Questions  ]

What particular food brands are recommended?

We recommend of course that you use Michel Montignac products whenever possible. Food products bearing the Michel Montignac signature answer the Method's nutritional requirements perfectly and they are made from biologically grown ingredients. Unfortunately, Michel Montignac products are not yet widely available. Food products with the following characteristics can therefore act as acceptable substitutes:

• Without added sugar (such as saccharose, dextrose, glucose, liquid glucose or starch);
• Containing no preservation agents;
• Having not undergone chemical treatment;
• ontaining no genetically modified ingredients.

Such products can be found in most health food stores that carry quality merchandise. In view of the enormous range of brand names and the wide geographical distribution of our clientele, it is impossible for us to advise you adequately as to which brands are preferable. You will therefore have to rely on the expertise of the salesperson to guide you in your choice of products.

[  Back to Questions  ]

What is the difference between whole-wheat and whole-grain bread?

he glycemic index of whole-grain bread (40) is lower than that of whole-wheat (50) because the flour hasn't undergone the process of bolting. In view of its low glycemic index, whole-grain bread induces a weak glycemic reaction (amount of sugar released into the bloodstream) and limits the storage of fatty acids (fat) because there is no excessive release of insulin (a hormone that lowers glycemia and stimulates fat retention).

As its name implies, whole-grain bread is prepared with flour made from the entire wheat grain including the bracts and wheat seed germ that contain all the fibre, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.

Whole-wheat bread is made from grain that has lost some of its nutritional properties during the milling process (between 5% and 8%%).

Other breads such as the farmhouse loaf fall under the fantasy category and are made from over 80% white flour. In view of their high glycemic level and low nutritional value, these types of bread are to be avoided.

In your weekly menus, you will notice a gradual shift towards whole-grain bread. In some cases, too sudden a change from white to whole-grain might cause digestive problems, especially if you are not accustomed to eating such high-fibre foods.
[  Back to Questions  ]

What type of red wine is recommended?

If you enjoy wine and drink it regularly, we encourage you to continue doing so at a rate of one or two glasses of a quality wine per day. Bordeaux wines are recommended because they are particularly rich in tannins. Studies have shown that drinking red wine reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by 30% compared to those who don't drink it. However, drinking excessive amounts can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 20%.

Wine, and red wine in particular, contains polyphenols that have a number of beneficial properties. Aside from their protective action on the cardiovascular system, they also act as an antioxidant (which helps combat free radicals), have antihistaminic properties (acting to combat allergies), help to prevent cataracts and have antiviral, antibiotic and antifungal properties.
[  Back to Questions  ]

I'm not well informed about the types of cheeses available. Which do you recommend?

During Stage 1, we provided you with a long list of foods that mentioned many different types of cheese:

• If simply «Cheese» is suggested, select a type that contains less than 40% b.f. (fat). Such cheeses include Gouda and Tome, which have between 20% and 40% b.f.. Gruyère contains approximately 50% fat while Camembert has around 45%;
• If «Cheese 0% b.f.» is suggested, this means that you should select a white cheese that contains no fat whatsoever. You will sometimes come across menus that suggest «White cheese 20% b.f.», in which case you should select a white cheese, contenant seulement 20% that contains only 20% fat.
• Pour plus d'informations consultez la page sur les fromages dans la section sur la Méthode Montignac.

[  Back to Questions  ]

What about vinaigrettes

In Phase 1, use a homemade vinaigrette made from olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to add flavour to your raw vegetables. Eventually, you'll also be able to add a little unsweetened mustard to your dressing. Avoid store-brand vinaigrettes as they contain too much sugar and have undesirable additives such as starch and other thickening agents.
[  Back to Questions  ]

Which type of yogurt should I choose?

As with all dairy products, yogurt is an excellent source of calcium, vitamin A and protein. They also help lower cholesterol levels and stimulate the immune and anti-allergenic systems.

Opt for yogurts that contain little or no fat. You will eventually be able to sweeten them with fructose, agave sirop (a cactus that is very rich in fructose) or unsweetened jam. You can also flavour yogurts with powdered chicory, lemon juice or a teaspoon of unsweetened low-fat cocoa.

Goat's milk is recommended for persons who are allergic to cow milk proteins and soymilk beverages. Yogurt made from goat's milk contains 2 times less lactose and is perfectly safe for those who are lactose intolerant. It is also possible for you to prepare your own yogurt using a yogurt machine.
[  Back to Questions  ]

If I haven't achieved my ideal weight by the end of Stage 8, what should I do?

It is quite possible that 8 weeks is insufficient time for you to achieve your ideal weight, especially if you want to lose more than 8 kilos. If this is your case, we suggest that you continue with Phase 1 menus until you reach your objective. Once your goal has been reached, you will be able to go on to Phase 2.
[  Back to Questions  ]