Pritikin Diet

The Pritikin Diet is a low-fat, low-calorific-density diet.

It was developed by Nathan Pritikin in response to his diagnosis in the 1950s with heart disease. After adopting a low-fat, high-fibre diet and commencing a moderate exercise program, he did experience dramatic improvements in his health.

The Pritikin Diet promotes large amounts of fruits and vegetables, unprocessed carbohydrates such as wholegrain breads, cereals and beans. Small amounts of skim milk and very lean meat, fish or chicken. No eggs, sugar, salt, alcohol or caffeine. Minimal fat and cholesterol. The calorific density is based around choosing meals containing 400 calories per pound.

The Pritikin Diet encourages regular exercise.

The Pritikin diet is around 80% carbohydrate, 1-10% fat, 10-15% protein.

It is quite a strict diet, and some find it hard to eat their required calories on the allowed foods. But if you're happy eating loads of vegetables, you will find it easier than others.

Most followers of Pritikin do tend to lose weight, and benefit in blood cholesterol, and blood pressure measurements.

Pritiken is considered not very adaptable to restaurant eating, with its strict rules and minimal dairy and fat content. Although I do have to say the sample menu at the official Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa looked very appetising.

Criticisms are that the restrictions in fat are severe, particularly the essential omega-3 fats, and may impair absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. And it may be low in calcium.

However the last word has to go to the author of Beyond Pritikin, Anne Louise Gittleman, who worked as chief nutritionalist at the Pritikin Centre before becoming unhappy with the low-fat specification, and developing the Fat Flush Plan. I sincerely recommend reading about the Fat Flush Plan on the menu at left.