Dr Stephen Reed is an Orthopedic Surgeon and Oxford Scholar. Dr Penny Reed has a successful Naturopathy practice in Canada. Together, the doctors identify the factors behind food cravings and come out with a strategy that helps us overcome cravings effectively. When there are no cravings to ruin a diet, weight loss becomes easy and takes place as a matter of course.
According to the two doctors, 80% of dieters fail to lose weight because of cravings. Cravings could be caused by imbalances in blood sugar levels, eating foods that trigger cravings and the general perception of food being a reward. Stress and emotional eating also play vital roles.
In order to thwart cravings, the doctors aim for a diet that balances blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels remain steady, the body feels satiated. This is combined with a supportive strategy that eliminates snacking. Together, these twin strategies form the basis of The No Crave Diet.
The diet is in two phases. The first phase is for six to eight weeks. Those who need to lose 15 lbs or more have to follow the plan for eight weeks, while those who need to lose fewer than 12 lbs need follow the plan for six weeks only.
This is a rigorous phase where dieters can take in three meals every day. No snacks are allowed. At this stage, proteins should be taken in with every meal. The amount of protein intake depends on the body weight of the person. All carbs are banned. Vegetables, dairy, salads and two portions of fruit are allowed. A number of helpful recipes are given.
The second phase is the maintenance phase. During this phase, carbohydrates are reintroduced. Subsequently, sweets too are reintroduced.
The authors are consultants for two vitamin lines and recommend the intake of additional supplements.
Elaborate exercise programs are not available.
The No crave diet Review
The book comes from two doctors and medical experts who are equipped to write about weight loss in a scientific manner. It is to their credit of the doctors that they have managed to translate the psychology and physiology of weight loss into layman terms in an interesting and structured manner.
Although the diet is somewhat rigorous, the book contains many helpful tips for getting rid of temptation, such as feeling positive, journal keeping and getting sufficient sleep. There is a handy section on coping with stress too.
Pros:
- Deals with cravings which are behind most failed diets
- Includes healthy foods
- Aims at regulating blood sugar
- Provides a number of handy maintenance tips
- Written by health experts
Cons:
- The first phase is rigorous and difficult
- May be difficult to follow
- No exercise plans
- Requires additional supplementation
In conclusion
The No Crave Diet takes weight loss in the right direction because it attacks the very root of the world’s obesity problem. By introducing measures that help people balance their sugar levels and by equipping them to handle emotional eating, this diet empowers people to control their cravings in an effective manner. The diet is effective. There’s no doubt about it. But, dieters would need to follow the plan carefully and rigorously to be successful.