The Pritikin Diet

The Pritikin Diet is a low fat quick weight loss plan developed in the 1970's by Nathan Pritikin as a means of treating cardiovascular disease. The work on the plan is continued today by his son Robert.

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Type - Low Fat

Are special products required? - No

Is eating out possible? - Yes

Is the plan family friendly? - Yes

Do you have to buy a book? - Yes

Is the diet easy to maintain? - No

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So how does it work?...

It'a one of the many low fat, low calorie diets and is a primarily vegetarian diet based on whole grains, fruits and vegetables.


The author argues that you can eat a much greater volume of low fat foods and feel satisfied, without taking in too many calories.


This diet requires no calorie counting or portion control. Foods are ranked according to their caloric density, and you are encouraged to create a healthy balance of low and medium ranked foods. The diet encourages the consumption of healthy fats that are high in omega 3 fatty acids.

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The Diet Plan...

Diet plans such as the this one eliminate processed foods, eggs and most types of fat in favour of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and low fat carbohydrates such as brown rice and wholemeal pasta.


It is therefore high in fibre, low in cholesterol, and low in saturated and total fat. The programme is based on three meals a day with snacks between meals. Less than 10% of your total daily calories are allowed to come from fat whilst about 75% of your calories should come from carbohydrates and about 15% from protein.

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Is it good for you?...

Although very low fat, low calorie diets are often unsatisfying, leading some slimmers to overeat or give up, the health benefits of eating less fat and more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are well documented.


No food groups are entirely eliminated in the Pritikin Diet , and the sample menus provide large variety of nutritional choices. Revised diet plans encourage the limited use of fats that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.


Overall it would appear that the Pritikin Diet is safe and effective.

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Sample Menu..

Breakfast
• Bowl of cinnamon-flavoured porridge cooked with skimmed milk, topped with sliced banana and blueberries

Lunch
• Grilled chicken breast with steamed corn-on-the-cob
• Green salad with fat-free dressing

Dinner
• Fat-free vegetarian chilli with steamed brown rice
• Tomato and cucumber salad with a balsamic vinegar dressing
• Fresh pineapple slices or pineapple canned in juice

Snacks
• Baked tortilla chips with a tomato salsa

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