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Pritikin Diet
It's a diet more about healthy living than weight loss.
BACKGROUND
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Most of us don't make the drastic dietary changes until we learn of our poor health. Nathan Pritikin did the same in the '50s after learning he had heart disease. He quickly created a low-fat, high-fiber diet regimen accompanied with exercise that proved advantageous with clean medical reports thereafter. Based on his success, Pritikin introduced his Pritikin Diet, as well as created the Pritikin Longevity Center as a resource for other suffering similar health problems.
The Pritikin Diet requires serious commitment as it is nearly a wholly vegetarian program that is low in cholesterol, nearly void of fat and high in fiber. The Pritikin Diet recommends considerable amounts of whole grain and vegetables. You'll have about six meals each day with limited serving sizes. There are absolutely no processed grains like white bread or instant rice.
The Pritikin Diet is primarily a vegetarian, all-natural diet program.
PRO
- May decrease risk of common illnesses
- Pritikin also brings weight loss, which is not a stated reason for following the diet
- The principles of the Pritikin Diet have substantial research to support the long-term health benefits
CON
- May feel hungry and unsatisfied
EXERCISE
Exercise is an important component of the Pritikin Diet as you will walk no less than 45 minutes daily.
CONCLUSION
Pritikin may be a tough challenge, since people may be challenged with feelings of hunger. You will probably lose weight, but if you are a meat lover, you will find little solace with Pritikin.
Common Misspellings
Pritkin Diet, Prikin Diet, Pritiken Diet
Featured Diets
Related Diets: Vegetarian Diet, High Fiber Diet, Low-Fat Diet, AHA No-Fad Diet
User Feedback
(Page 1 of 1, 9 total comments)MRosa
My Nutritionist is the one who told me about the Pritikin Diet. It was not easy to follow because as they say it takes commitment & hard work to be able to succeed. Set a goal in your mind and picture a healthier you. it's the best gift you could ever give to yourself. No more pain, no more pills, no more fast foods. Start today. I did it & when it was time to go back for my annual check-ups my cholesterol levels were just right. It's about living a better life & feeling great. I strongly recommend this diet.
posted Nov 5th, 2011 3:45 pmMichael
If food is one of your gods, Pritiken may not work for you. If you can understand that food is fuel and not entertainment, you will benefit from the Pritiken Program. If you can discipline your eating habits, Pritiken will work for you no matter what stage you are in.
posted Jun 8th, 2011 2:12 pmmarils
As a participant in the program, I witnessed miracle changes in health through the power of diet and exercise. I saw people in jeopardy of losing their limbs to diabetes learn to control it without medication. As for myself, my BP went from 180/120 to 111/76 without any drugs. So, if you need to drastically reduce your sugar, salt, or fat in your diet, this is excellent. However, if you are someone who is addicted to food and eats because you are hungry, angry, lonely, tired, or bored, you will not be able to sustain this diet over the long run.
posted Apr 1st, 2011 5:20 amJoebliw
Pritikin is really excellent if you can do it. The cavemen did pritikin.
posted Feb 16th, 2011 11:36 amStephen Francis
I followed this for 3 years and dropped weight from 15 stone to 10 stone. Managed to resist temptation by finding specific allowed items that I liked. Hunger was not a problem but craving for protein was (I did not eat meat at all). Protein craving was satisfied by kidney beans. Went off the diet as I relaxed back into a normal lifestyle. You will need to keep allowed food with you for when you get hungry as it is difficult to get allowed items from fast food outlets.
posted May 7th, 2009 7:00 pmPatti Giffin
..this is a great way to eat -- can not imagine ever being hungary on this regime -- you are allowed meat/poultry in moderation (portions are controlled) where there is no portion control over raw fruit and vegetables...the big adjustment is to no salt, no processed foods and minimal oils. Very satisfying way to eat - and your energy will increase and your health improvements will just continue to get better --- and a side benefit is losing weight!
posted Apr 2nd, 2009 4:05 pmCatherine
When I first read about this diet (many, many years ago), I felt it was way too restrictive. In light of what the medical community has discovered about fats--that some of them are actually good for you and don't cause heart disease--I am even more convinced that it is too restrictive. I agree with "yayadash23" that it is more for disease recovery/prevention for those that have serious heart problems.
posted Mar 4th, 2008 12:07 pmTbaby45
Pritikin diet is very high in vegetables...and with the fiber I couldn't stay out of the bathroom
yayadash23
this is more for disease recovery/prevention than a diet...I still might try it just for a healthier body