What is Copenhagen Diet?
Copenhagen Diet aka Royal Danish Hospital Diet, Swedish, diet is a 13 Day Diet Plan, consisting foods that are high in protein and low in fat. It is also famous by the phrase “13 Day Diet On The Way To Paradise”. It is one of the buzzing diets these days to slim down over a short period of time. People are using it to lose weight fast for an upcoming event such as a wedding or a similar ceremony.
In other words, Copenhagen Diet Boils down to be:
– Very Rigorous
– Fixed and Specific menu, which you cannot modify.
– Fastest results giving diet
Yes, it indeed is very rigorous and is not everyone’s cup of tea. But, if you are determined enough, you can get through this diet plan with some fantastic results.
Such as losing 15 to 20 pounds.
How many meals are allowed in Copenhagen diet?
You can have a morning coffee/tea and 2 meals a day, lunch and dinner. Most people reported tremendous results by replacing their coffee/tea with some herbal detox tea or green coffee.
For tea lovers I recommend:
Gentle Detox Tea by Total Tea
Because, I am using it for 5 years. It has helped me in many ways, be it constipation, reducing inflammation or weight loss.
And for those who love coffee I recommend to use any good quality organic green coffee.
And if you love green tea lover, then I suggest you to go for Matcha Green Tea Type.
Because, Matcha is the best of all when it comes to weight loss. The one I use is:
Jade Leaf Matcha Green Tea Powder
I use Jade Leaf because, it is best quality for the price, comes directly from Japan and is vegan and gluten free. I came to know about it in a meditation retreat in Oregon. Since then, I gave up the ones I was using earlier.
How many calories can I Consume in Copenhagen Diet?
You can take 900 calories a day. If your calorie intake goes above that. You are not on Copenhagen Diet. Use WebMD Food calculator to keep track of calories you are taking in.
Journaling your intakes is also a good idea.
What foods can I eat in Copenhagen Diet?
- Lean Meat
- Fish
- Skinless Chicken
- Steak
- Beef
- Turkey
- Pork Chops
- Vegetables
- Eggs
- Coffee, Green Tea or Nettle Tea
Who Should Stay Away From This Diet?
If you fall under any of the following conditions, this diet is not for you:
- General Health Issues
- Arterial Hypertension
- Gastric Disorders
- If you are involved in sports or actives that involves physical strength.
- Pregnant and Breastfeeding Moms
- If you are a Teenager
- Working on the physically demanding job.
- If your age is above 50
Even if you don’t fall under any of the above situations, it is always a good choice that you seek advice from a licensed doctor.
Copenhagen Diet Plan For 13 Days
Days | Breakfast | Lunch | Supper/Dinner |
---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | 1 Cup of Black Coffee or Green tea with no sugar added | - 1 Hard Boiled Egg - 200g Boiled Spinach - 1 Tomato | - 100g grilled beef - No butter of fat - lettuce with lemon dressing |
Day 2 | 1 Cup of Black Coffee or Green tea with no sugar added | - 150gm Ham - 1 Small bowl of Fat Free Yogurt | - 1OOg grilled beef - no butter of fat - Lettuce with lemon dressing - fruit of your choice except banana |
Day 3 | 1 Cup of Black Coffee or Green tea with no sugar added | - 2 Hard boiled Eggs - 1 Slice of Ham - Spinach With Tomato | - Boiled Celery - Tomato (Soup or raw) - 1 fruit |
Day 4 | 1 Cup of Black Coffee or Green tea with no sugar added | - 200ml orange juice or an apple - 1 Fat free yogurt | - 1 Hard Boiled Egg - 1 large grated carrot - 100ml cottage cheese |
Day 5 | One Glass of Lukewarm Water with lime. | - 150gm Salmon with lemon cooked in low fat butter | - 100g grilled beef - Lettuce with celery - No Dressing |
Day 6 | 1 Cup of Black Coffee or Green tea with no sugar added | - 1 Hard boiled egg - Grated Carrot | - 150g skinless chicken breast grilled or boiled. - lettuce with salmon dressing |
Day 7 | 1 Cup of Black Coffee or Green tea with no sugar added | - Skip Lunch and drink lots of water. | - 200g Grilled lamb cuts - 1 Apple |
Day 8 | 1 Cup of Black Coffee or Green tea with no sugar added | - 2 Hard boiled eggs - 200g boiled spinach, boiled 1 tomato | - 200g grilled beef - Lettuce with lemon dressing |
Day 9 | 1 Cup of Black Coffee or Green tea with no sugar added | - 1 Slice Ham - 1 Fat Free Yogurt | - 200g grilled beef - Lettuce with lemon dressing |
Day 10 | 1 Cup of Black Coffee or Green tea with no sugar added | - 2 Hard boiled eggs - 1 Slice ham - lettuce with lemon dressing | - Boiled Celery - Tomato (Soup or raw) - 1 fruit |
Day 11 | One Glass of Lukewarm Water with lime. | - 200ml orange juice or an apple - 1 fat free yogurt | - 1 Hard Boiled Egg - 1 large grated carrot - 100ml cottage cheese |
Day 12 | 1 Cup of Black Coffee or Green tea with no sugar added | 200g Salmon boiled with lemon or grilled with 1 soon low fat butter | - 200g grilled beef - Lettuce with lemon dressing |
Day 13 | 1 Cup of Black Coffee or Green tea with no sugar added | - 2 Hard boiled eggs - 1 Grated Carrot | -250gm chicken breast grilled or boiled - lettuce with lemon dressing. |
Here is the vegan and Vegetarian version of Copenhagen Diet:
Here is how can you replace meats mentioned in this article:
- Fish: Tempeh(It is very similar to tofu)
- Chicken: Jackfruit, Cauliflower, Eggplant
- Beef: Beans (These contain 8 Grams for protein and 8 grams of dietary fiber each half a cup)
- Pork: Jackfruit
By the time you will finish this diet, it is very likely that you will lose at least 15 to 20 pounds, depending on your body type and amount of fat that your body has. Well, there is more to Copenhagen diet when it comes to benefits, here they are:
It speeds up your Metabolism
Foods you’d be consuming in this 13-day diet plan will increase your metabolic rate. Eggs, beef, and chicken are very rich in protein and demand more energy to digest. This is because thermic effect these foods have. Thermic effect is expenditure rate at which your body spends energy to digest food.
It can reduce cellulite dimples
As your body will start losing weight and detox itself, the appearance of cellulite dimples will significantly reduce because the enlarged fat-cells will reduce in size so, there will be less pressure on the connective tissue.
More tips on Copenhagen Diet
- Cut-down on salt as much as you can
- Don’t fill your sugar cravings with anything sugar-free, like chewing gum or any other low caloric sugar alternative.
- Drink plenty of water, use this calculator to find out how much you need.
- Do not exhaust yourself physically
- You may feel weakness or headaches during the initial phase, you don’t need to panic as these symptoms will subside as you go.
- Do not continue this diet once 13 days are over.
- You should not follow this diet more than once a year.
- Once the diet is over, take multivitamin supplements.
- Practice Meditation or some kind of mindfulness
Here is the list of recipes with link that we mentioned in copenhagen diet plan in above table.
None of these recipes are mine. I found these on internet. All the credit goes to their original owners mentioned each recipe.
You can click on recipes images or links in title to open recipe page with instructions from original author.
Braised Celery by Sprinkles and Sprouts
This is a low-carb dish which tastes good and is very simple to make. It
only takes 5 ingredients to cook this crunchy and savory dish. Thanks a ton to Claire for sharing this delicious yet healthy recipe.
Boiled Spinach by Pickled Plum
No weight loss diet can ever escape the use of spinach. Thanks to it’s
vitamin profile, low calories and high fiber content which is proven to
promote weight loss apart form its hundreds of other benefits. Try this
easy to cook Japanese recipe and say thanks to Caroline from Pickled Plum.
Spinach and Tomato Salad by Aggie’s Kitchen
Here is another variation of spinach you can try. Try this healthy recipe
and and your gut will thank you immediately. I found this recipe on Aggie’s Blog.
Say thanks to her and check out her blog for everyday health recipes.
Grilled Beef By Diethood

Make sure to use lean cuts while cooking this recipe as there is abundance
of protein in them. Needless to say that high protein and low carb diet is
the gateway to weight loss. There are countless studies to support this
claim.
I am sharing an oven grill version of this recipe because most people find
it convenient.
Say thanks to Katerina for this Juicy Dish. Check out her blog for more
interesting, healthy and delicious recipes.
Grilled Salmon with lemon by Hey Grill Hey
Packed with lean protein and omega 3 fatty acids, this flavorful recipe
with satisfy your taste buds and will keep you full.
Because of it’s high protein content, it helps you control your hunger cravings and feel full for longer.
Enjoy this meal and say thanks to Susie Bulloch. Check out her all things grill blog for more
interesting recipes.
Grilled Chicken by The Stay Home Chef
It is widespread that lean protein found in chicken breasts is very good for those on weight loss diet. It has very low calorie profile. Try this delicious yet recipe from Rachel. Check out her blog at The Stay Home Chef for more recipes. Don’t forget to say Kudos to her if you like this recipe.
I will add more recipes shortly..
What’s our take and conclusion
We advise that instead of going after such a rigorous diet regimen you should choose for other healthier and long-term weight-loss methods. Also, if following a diet is not your thing because of other commitments in your life, I’d very strongly recommend that you try this amazing natural product that can help you acheive your dream weight. As a blogger I take personal responsibility with all the product that I recommend in my articles. If you find that this product is not working for you, I will move mountains to get you your refund.
Hi, what can be used instead of ham?
Hi, You can use Hummus but the diet advices not to change/replace anything.
hey, can I take appetite suppressants with this diet and will I continue to lose weight afterwards?
Is Copenhagen diet the same as 13 days metabolism diet.
I have just finished the metabolism diet and I don’t think I have lost any weight.
thanks
Hi There,
It is not recommended to take appetite suppressants along with this diet. Because they come with many unwanted side-effects. Yes, Copenhagen diet is the same as metabolism diet. Can you please elaborate a bit more on how you went about it?
Thanks,
Sarah
Is the lemon dressing just lemon juice?
Hi Nancy,
Yes, that refers to just lemon juice. Don’t add sugar or anything else to the lemon juice.
Thanks.
Do u have a vegetarian version for this diet ? I don’t eat meat.
Hi Aishu,
Here is how can you replace meats mentioned in this article:
Fish = Tempeh(It is very similar to tofu)
Chicken = Jackfruit, Cauliflower, Eggplant
Beef = Beans (These contain 8 Grams for protein and 8 grams of fiber each half a cup)
Pork = Jackfruit
Thanks
Sarah
Hi
Can you tell me what can i replace for pork or jackfruit
Because we dont eat pork and jackfruits are hard to find
This diet says you an have 3 meals a day? Since when is black coffee or tea considered a meal?
Corrected, thanks for pointing out.
Hi it still shows one cup of coffee or green tea…still not a meal?
It is corrected.
Hello …
Can I do cardio or gym of 30 mon along with this diet ?
Hi
Can I drink coffee with mill or must it be strictly black?
Hi Reafon,
Yes it has to be strictly black. Because milk or any other base will give you extra calories. And that beats the purpose of this diet.
Thanks.
Hi I am on diet right now one thing I am seeing there’s fat in waist and my tummyand stomach there same way
Can we use olive oil?
Yes you can.
Can I use lettuce instead of spinach for everything?
Hi Brizzy,
Yes you can use fresh lettuce to replace spinach.
Thank,
Sarah
Why is this diet not recommended for people over 40? I am 53 and would like to try it. My metabolism is very slow!
hello, what can I use to replace the celery
Please advise what can we use to replace celery
https://www.greedygourmet.com/ingredients/celery-substitutes/
can I replace chicken to turkey?
Hi There,
Yes You Can. But you’ll have to increase the amount of turkey. Because Turkey has a lot lesser calories and other nutrients then chicken.
Thanks.
Hi! Can I drink my coffee with a tiny drop of milk? Thx
Hi There,
I don’t think so.
How much lettuce
Hi,
One whole leaf should do.
Thanks
It is way better than fasting. I have lost 8 pounds and I am on my 7th day.
Hi there,
Glad to hear that. But Still, I recommend you should go for other healthier diets.
Check these out: https://herbalfoo.com/diets-that-actually-work/
Hey,
Can I boil instead of grilling the beef?
Hi There,
Yes You can.
Hey there
Is there anything I can replace cottage cheese with?
Thanks
Sosi
Hi there
How much iceberg lettuce and celery i could eat.
Hi again
If i have eggs only rather than egg and spinach is it causing problem?
Hi there
How much iceberg lettuce and celery i could eat.
Also if i not have spinach on day one will cause any issue?
Do I have stop my diet or its okay to continue?
Thanks for your help.
Hi Julia,
You can have 150 to 200gm off lettuce and celery combined. On your spinach question, according to my reference for this information, Copenhagen diet has very strict rules. So, you should not change anything. You should not follow this diet more than 13 days in any case.
Thanks
Sarah
Hi there
Is it possible to eat fish or lentil instead of beef.
Thanks
Julia
Hi, is there anything you can replace hard boiled eggs with?
Yes, There are 3 options
– Overnight Soaked and boiled Chickpeas
– Sprouted Grains.
– Tofu
Please can you advise why this diet is not recommended for people over 40?
We advice that way as a safety measure. But you can always consult a doctor and ask them if your present health can handle that kind of a diet.
Hi ,
Is there anything I can replace cottage cheese with?
Thanks
Yes, You can use any low fat cheese. Make sure that it’s not processed. Here is a link that will help you make the decision.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/which-cheeses-can-i-eat-on-a-cholesterol-lowering-diet-697777
What recipe would you recommend for tomato soup? Or is it like literally puréed tomato warmed up?
Why is it only 13 days? What can happen if I do more than 13 days?
Hi There,
Copenhagen diet should not be continued for more than 13 days because losing weight too fast can lead to other complications, such as nutrition deficiencies, slow metabolism and gallstones. Also, weight that you lose too fast backfires even faster than it took to lose it.
Can I do 30 min Cardio while on the diet
What if you can’t have eggs and don’t like cooked spinach? What can you use as a substitute?
Hi,
Can I use lettuce instead of spinach?
Can I use olive oil or lemon juice to give some taste?
What about salt and pepper ?
Thanks
Hi Miky,
Yes you can replace spinach with lettuce.
Yes you can add olive oil, lemon juice and salt pepper.
Just keep your calorie intake below or up to 900.
I’m thinking about starting this diet few questions, can I replace celery and yogurt with anything? (not a fan) last question when it says ham, what kind of ham, how many ounces? There’s spiral sliced, deli meat…
Is it okay if I skip the fruits?