Psychology professor, Dr Seth Roberts has provided a unique solution to the obesity problem that continues to haunt the world: bland, tasteless food. The book is all about how to control your ‘set point’ to get a handle on your desire to eat and overeat.
The Shangri-La Diet tries to explain the doctor’s rather complicated finding about why we overeat. According to him, the human body is like a thermostat with a ‘set point’ which is the weight that the body naturally maintains. This ‘set point’ can be adjusted from the outside. By taking in certain foods, it is possible to lower this point in such a way that we feel satiated with less food. When that happens, weight loss happens naturally and without too much effort.
The operating principle of the Shangri-La diet is the intake of approximately 300 calories in the form of 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil and sugar water solution. These may be taken in a number of times a day, alone or as a combination, though the former is more effective.
The followers of the SLD diet are encouraged to take in bland, flavorless foods like vegetable mush. They can also take to techniques like ‘nose-clipping’ to limit their awareness of flavors in their food. This will take them to a ‘set point’ or the point where they feel they have taken in enough food.
There are no specific food recommendations except that Dr Roberts specifies that you may snack on fruits and always stick to foods that have a low Glycemic Index.
There is no specific meal plan or food suggestion.
The Shangri-La Diet review
If it’s true that we eat foods because we are addicted to flavors, then, following a bland diet is the best way to beat food addiction. Some of the theories expounded in the book make a lot of sense. For instance, taking in sugar water is effective in controlling hunger pangs because this helps maintain the blood sugar levels. Similarly, small quantities of olive oil and sugar keep hunger at bay because the body is receiving the necessary fuel to run the show.
However, the explanation regarding the ‘Set point’ and the reasons enumerated for the intake of ‘extra virgin olive oil’ are rather complicated.
There is nothing said about exercise. In fact, exercise could be dangerous for a person following this diet because the number of calories taken in is severely restricted. This diet is best suited to people leading sedentary lifestyles.
Pros:
- No calorie counting
- Empowers those who are in the habit of binge eating
- Seeks to keep blood sugar levels high
- Inexpensive
- Easy to follow
- The book is an interesting read
Cons:
- Consumption of oil could be difficult for some
- Techniques like nose clipping curtail normal social life
- Food habits are too artificial
- Does not address weight management
- Eating bland foods is an unwelcome proposition for many
- Does not contain specific guidelines
In conclusion:
Many people have found the Shangri-La Diet highly effective in losing weight. The principle behind the diet is natural calorie restriction through changed food habits. To that extent, weight loss gained through this diet tends to be permanent.
However, the diet cannot really be a part of a normal, long term lifestyle as the recommendations run counter to what we can do and practice on a daily basis.
