The No Grain Diet
Written by Dr. Joseph Mercola, The No Grain Diet addresses “grain addiction” and outlines a low-carb diet for weight loss and better health.
What it is: In The No Grain Diet, Dr. Mercola claims that excessive consumption of breads, pastas, potatoes and sweets leads to obesity and health problems such as allergies, depression, digestive disorders and immune system suppression. To cure people of this “grain addiction,” Mercola created a three-phase diet, with an emphasis on high quality and organic foods.
How it works: To cure people of this “grain addiction,” Mercola created a three-phase diet, with an emphasis on high quality and organic foods. The diet is especially low in carbohydrates, especially in the first phase, which eliminates all starchy vegetables, grains, fruits and sweets.
What you do: In the first phase when all carbs are eliminated, practitioners must eat something every two hours. In the second “stabilize” phase, dieters continue to not consume carbs but eat three meals a day and three snacks. According to this plan, dieters also exercise five days a week. In the third “sustain” phase, dieters reintroduce some carbs back into the diet such as starchy vegetables, fruits and honey, keeping an eye on weight gain.
Benefits: Meal plans are provided for individual needs and psychological factors in weight gain are also addressed. Low-carb diet plans often provide quick results, which can be encouraging.
The Down Side: This diet plan is almost impossible for vegetarians. Especially in the first phase when you must eat every two hours, lots of time is required for meal and snack preparation. The extreme restrictions in carbs can mean calories can be too low.
