The Stillman Diet
An early form of the Atkins Diet with a low-fat twist.
BACKGROUND
Back before there was the Atkins Diet, there was The Stillman Diet. Also known as The Doctor's Quick Weight Loss Diet, created by Irwin Maxwell Stillman, M.D. in 1967, this high protein, low carbohydrate and low fat diet was used for rapid and dramatic weight loss.
Differing from subsequent high protein diets, The Stillman Diet kept fat at reduced amounts while relying on consistent protein spread out over six meals a day to push the body into a ketogenic state where it burned fat rather than carbohydrates.
The Stillman Diet today has been replaced by countless other low-carb, high-protein diets. Throughout his career as a physician, Dr. Stillman helped thousands of overweight and obese patients lose weight by following this trademark diet plan. He later introduced a near-vegetarian version of his Stillman Diet.
You can expect to lose 7 to 15 pounds during the first week of the Stillman Diet and five pounds each additional week that you are on the diet.
PRO
- Will result in weight loss
- Organized diet plan that is easy to follow
- Created by a medical doctor
- Less reliance on fatty protein sources than other low-carb diets
CON
- Considered a fad diet
- Weight loss will quickly be regained once carbohydrates are reintroduced
- Cannot be sustained for a long period of time
- Will likely result in food cravings
- Lacks a complete variety of nutrients
- Lack of fiber will likely result in constipation
DIET and NUTRITION
This high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet prescribes eating an unlimited amount of lean protein like seafood, skinless poultry, lean red meat, eggs and low-fat cheese. Vegetables, fruit, bread, sugars and alcohol are strictly forbidden, as are fats like oils and butters. Tea, coffee and water are all allowed as is diet soda.
Rather than eating three large meals during the day, you are encouraged to nosh on six small meals in addition to taking a daily vitamin supplement to offset the lack of nutrients you are not receiving through fruits and vegetables.
EXERCISE
There are no specific exercise guidelines.
CONCLUSION
The Stilman Diet is an extreme high-protein, low-carbohydrate and low-fat diet that pushes the body into a ketogenic state where it begins to burn fat rather than carbohydrates for energy. Therefore, weight loss will likely be quick and dramatic.
But keep in mind that this diet should not be used as a long-term solution to weight loss. Once carbs are reintroduced into the body, weight gain will likely ensue. In addition, the diet's overall lack of nutrients from fresh foods will cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies as well as constipation.
Even Dr. Stillman advised that anyone interested in following his diet to speak to their medical doctor first.
Common Misspellings
stillmen diet, stillmin diet, stilman diet, dr. stillman diet, the doctor's quick weight loss diet
Related Diets: Atkins Advantage, Atkins Diet, High Protein Diet, Low-Carb Diet, Crack the Fat Loss Code
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