Pritikin Diet Review

From eDiets

Summary

<>In the late 1950s, Nathan Pritikin was diagnosed with heart disease. Soon after, he adopted a low fat, high fiber diet and began a moderate exercise program. Subsequent medical examinations revealed dramatic improvements in his health. Mr. Pritikin developed the Pritikin Diet - Program based on his experience and opened the first Pritikin Longevity Center in 1976 so that he could help other people with similar medical problems restore their health. The Pritikin Diet is almost completely vegetarian, and encourages the consumption of large amounts of whole grains and vegetables. It is high in fiber, low in cholesterol, and extremely low in saturated fat and total fat, containing less than 10 percent of total daily calories from fat. The diet excludes nearly all processed grains and sources of animal protein. In addition to these dietary recommendations, the Pritikin Diet Program includes regular exercise. Program participants are required to walk for at least 45 minutes each day.

Many individuals follow this diet to help prevent the onset or progression of various medical conditions, most notably heart disease. Although not principally a weight loss diet, many people follow the Pritikin Diet Program to shed unwanted pounds. Proponents of the Pritikin Diet point to the large body of scientific literature that demonstrates the benefits of a low fat, high fiber diet in the prevention of many degenerative diseases, including cancer and heart disease. In addition, numerous clinical studies conducted at the Pritikin Longevity Centers have shown that the Pritikin Diet, combined with a structured exercise program, produces weight loss, and lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Some nutrition professionals argue that the Pritikin Diet is too low in fat. Because dietary fat is so severely restricted, Pritikin dieters may not be able to consume a sufficient amount of the healthy fats, especially the omega 3 fats. In addition, absorption of the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) may be impaired with such low intakes of dietary fat.

Suited for

Vegetarians

Foods

Allowed on the program are unprocessed fruits and vegetables, lean animal foods, non fat dairy foods, low fat carbohydrate foods. Dining out is possible if it is a vegetarian restaurant. There is no alcohol and no caffeine.

Support

The Pritikin diet is self directed, with no outside support, except the Pritikin Longevity Centers. These facilities are very expensive, but if you have the money and time it is well worth it. However, if cost is a factor or you would like on going support, eDiets now offers assistance with numerous food plans and also provides weekly meal plans, a virtual fitness trainer, member chat rooms, online support and counseling from Registered Dietitians and Registered Dietetic Technicians, and 24/7 access to nutrition, exercise and motivational information.

Resources

Books. Beyond Pritikin : A Total Nutrition Program For Rapid Weight Loss, Longevity, & Good Health by Ann Louise Gittleman; The Pritikin Program for Diet and Exercise by Nathan Pritikin; NEW PRITIKIN PROGRAM by Robert Pritikin; The Pritikin Principle: The Calorie Density Solution by Robert Pritikin; Living Beauty Detox Program: The Revolutionary Diet for Each and Every Season of a Woman's Life by Ann Louise Gittleman; Pritikin Permanent Weight Loss Manual by Nathan Pritikin.

Thoughts

May be difficult to follow long term, unless you are committed to becoming a vegetarian. People may find it difficult to give up animal products and dairy. Robert Pritikin's books are an excellent reference to decreasing fat consumption. If you have heart disease or a strong family history of heart disease, this diet is one of the best steps toward prevention you can take.

Study Supports South Beach Principles

The results are in from a recent study comparing a diet following the principles of The South Beach Diet with a portion-controlled, low-fat diet. The study, which will be published in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine, followed 69 overweight or obese (but otherwise healthy) men and women, ages 18 to 65, over a period of 12 weeks. This group was divided into two, with one group following a plan modeled after Phase 2 of The South Beach Diet and the other group following the low-fat diet. While both groups shed extra pounds over the 12 weeks, the amount and type of weight lost was remarkably different.

Participants who followed The South Beach Diet model lost twice as much weight as those following the portion-controlled, low-fat plan and also showed greater losses in body fat. The study also showed that the group adhering to The South Beach Diet principles — focusing on the right carbohydrates and fats, nutrient-dense whole foods, lean sources of protein, and lots of fiber — experienced significant reductions in triglycerides and their ratio of total/HDL cholesterol, meaning that they lowered their risk of a heart attack.

What was the most surprising revelation of all? While The South Beach Diet group was instructed to eat until they were satisfied, whereas the low-calorie group stuck to a strict calorie-counting system, the first group still consumed fewer calories with no counting involved. Clearly, choosing a plan with the right carbs and the right fats, such as The South Beach Diet, is the right choice when it comes to weight loss and adopting a long-term healthy lifestyle.

Community, support, abd advice on South Beach message boards

Supercharge your success by tapping into the advice and support offered on The South Beach Diet® Online Message Boards. Share achievements and challenges as you get feedback and assistance from our nutritionists, other members, and our team of moderators. Here's a synopsis of the Board categories and forums:

Ask the Nutritionists: Wondering whether your favorite family recipe meets the principles of The South Beach Diet®? Ask the nutritionists! Our team of registered dietitians provides timely answers to your personal questions. It's like having a personal nutritionist on call! South Beach Diet® Program: Here, you'll find Phase-specific forums where you can share the rewards and challenges of the Phase you're in with other people following The South Beach Diet®. There's also an area to swap recipes with other members, an Eating Out section to discuss dining out on the Beach, and Special Dietary Needs threads to help people on restricted diets (including vegetarian, vegan, kosher, food allergies, and lactose intolerance) exchange ideas and lend support.

Starters Clubs: Each month has its own Starters Club for newcomers. Introduce yourself to others starting the same month or week, and share tips as you travel down the path to a healthy lifestyle.

Support Clubs: Access general support, or connect with others who want to lose a specific amount of weight, such as the 40/40 Club, which is made up of members 40 and over who'd like to lose (or have lost) 40 pounds or more. Share laughs along the road to better health with members of Fool's Paradise, so-named because these long-standing members use humor to stay on track. Nondenominational spiritual encouragement is provided through the Religious Support area.

Health & Wellness: Keeping active is more fun when you swap workout tips on the Exercise and Fitness Board. The Health & Wellness thread also includes disease-specific discussions of health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and migraines, as well as fertility, pregnancy, and nursing.

New to the Message Boards? Fear not! We have a tutorial that offers step-by-step instructions on posting, navigating the threads, changing your member name, and more. It's easy to connect with other people following The South Beach Diet®. Support from our robust community can help you stay on track — see the difference it makes in your life!

Sonoma Diet Reviewed by a Dieter: Portion Control

Check out this Sonoma Diet member's description of portion sizes:

"I started the Sonoma Diet at 197 pounds and.have now reached my target goal of 178. I am a total foodie, so the cooking methods and new recipes really fell into place for me. I have always liked whole grains and lots of herbs and spices, so those were not big changes for me. I am now much more mindful of getting my vegetables and choosing healthy snacks. And the greatest change I have made is portion control. I am amazed at how much less food than I was used to consuming is now satisfying and sustaining.

It is so obvious to my wife [and me] that our bodies are really happy about the Sonoma Diet way of eating. We sleep better, have more energy, don't have heartburn, and my blood pressure has come down so much that my medication has been discontinued." – jfruth, member, The Sonoma Diet Online

The ChangeOne Diet

What is the ChangeOne Diet from Reader's Digest?

For the first time ever, Reader's Digest has created a diet of our own. We've tapped some of the country's top nutritionists and dietary specialists to come up with this completely new eating plan that takes the weight off...and keeps it off. With just one simple change each week, you can win the weight-loss battle. ChangeOne is easy. It's different. And thanks to the testing we've done, we know it works.

With ChangeOne Diet, you don't have to give up the foods you love. You don't have to learn to like tofu. You don't have to eat dry, tasteless snacks. And you don't have to toss out everything in your fridge or pantry. You just have to change one eating habit at a time, starting with breakfast. Then it's on to lunch, snacks, dinner, and beyond as you watch the weight melt away. Simple. Smart. Sensible. We'll guide you through it, step by step.

Key Principles of ChangeOne Diet

1. Make one change at a time. You can't become a new person overnight -- lasting change requires a measured approach.

2. The secret to weight loss is understanding portion sizes, not math.

3. All foods are allowed. Let your meals be a source of healthy pleasure and never skimp on flavor or delight.

4. Eating for a healthy weight is the same as eating for health. Think of ChangeOne as a way of life, and this will be the last time you have to lose weight.