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Very Low-Fat Diets for Weight Loss - Pritikin
Nathan Pritikin, PhD, developed the Pritikin diet in the 1970s. It’s similar to the Ornish program, with no more than 10% of calories coming from fat. Pritikin does allow some lean meat and seafood that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Basic concept
Pritikin encourages eating natural, nutrient-rich, high-fiber foods. Daily exercise is part of the program.
How it works
The theory is that when you limit fat to 10% of your daily calories, there’s no need to count calories. Eat often to keep from feeling hungry-six or seven meals a day. You can eat as much as you want of whole grains, vegetables, and fruit. Exercise every day: for example, take a 45-minute walk.
On the menu
- Whole grains
- Unprocessed vegetables
- Unprocessed fruits
- Nonfat dairy products
- Egg whites
- Lean meats
- Omega-3 fatty acids (fat like that found in fish) in very small amounts
Off the menu
- White pasta
- White bread
- Egg yolks
- Caffeine
- Processed foods
- Most fats
For more information, see the topic Weight Management.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
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