Registered dietitians unpack the popular "no diet" diet.
by K Aleisha Fetters Published: Apr 27, 2016 5:36 PM EDT Save Article
Lately, it seems like you can’t scroll through Pinterest without seeing something about the Beyond Diet.
But what’s behind all those yummy pics? Designed by holistic lifestyle and nutrition coach Isabel De Los Rios, the Beyond Diet is touted as a no-diet approach to losing weight by filling up on whole, unprocessed foods and avoiding things that cause inflammation. De Los Rios says she used the diet to lose 30 pounds and keep it off for 15 years.
You can try the Beyond Diet by purchasing packages ranging from $15 to $67 per month. They include recipes, meal plans, and access to an online community of coaches and other program members. After going on a 14-day jumpstart cleanse of whole foods, members undergo testing to determine their metabolic type, which establishes the amount of carbs, protein, and fat they should be eating. (No word on what this metabolic testing actually entails.)
To get more info on what this diet is all about, we asked a few registered dietitians to weight in with their thoughts.
What’s On the Menu
You'll be looking at meals made of whole, organic foods, including grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, cage-free eggs, coconut oil, whole grains like quinoa and spelt, and lots of veggies and fruits. Sounds legit, right? (Start your body transformation with Women's Health's Look Better Naked DVD.)
“Nutrient-dense, whole foods are usually a better choice than processed foods because of what's in them,” says registered dietitian Alexandra Caspero, R.D. That doesn't mean processed foods are bad, but vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, nuts, and avocado are packed with phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which should be part of any healthy eating plan, says Caspero.
Apart from the dolla, dolla bills involved in going organic and grass-fed (on average, organic foods are 47 percent more expensive, per a recent Consumer Reports study), these clean eats might actually help you lose weight and get healthier. Research in PLOS One and Environmental Health Perspectives has linked chemical pesticide exposure to weight gain and insulin resistance.
What's Off Limits
Besides ultra-processed foods, the Beyond Diet also declares artificial sweeteners, margarine, orange juice, soymilk, and whole-wheat bread no-gos. And the exclusion of these five common fridge staples worries some experts.
While artificial sweeteners and margarine don't exactly qualify as health foods, completely banning certain items from your diet doesn't seem to promotesustainable eating, says Wesley Delbridge, R.D., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
“The interesting thing to me is that she [De Los Rios] promotes a plan of ‘life without dieting’ but got famous by promoting ‘five foods never to eat,’" says Caspero. (You’ve probably seen the ads online.)
Soy, including soymilk and tofu, can be beneficial for those who are lactose intolerant, vegetarian, vegan, or who just like the taste. It’s rich in protein, calcium, and is often fortified with vitamin D and B12, says Vandana Sheth, R.D. However, De Los Rios claims that unfermented soy products, like soy milk and tofu, cause digestive distres, mineral loss in bones, and contributes to levels of toxins in the body.
Check out our video timeline of wacky weight-loss trends:
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The Beyond Diet also claims that wheat causes inflammation, which often leads to weight gain. But Delbridge, Sheth, and Caspero all maintain that the rich fiber and B vitamins in whole wheat products are needed to help maintain healthyblood sugarlevels, promote satiety, keep energy levels up, and promote a healthy metabolism. Delbridge notes that only two percent of people have a gluten intolerance or Celiac disease. Even in those with the intolerance, cutting out whole wheat can lead to vitamin deficiencies. Plus, a super-low carb intake can result in the body breaking down muscle for fuel, he says.
“Yes, many of us are eating too many refined grains, but it's way too easy to pin it on bread,” Caspero adds. She recommends swapping out refined grains for whole ones, including whole-wheat bread.
Going Beyond the Diet
It's worth noting that nutrition coaches, like De Los Rios, don't have the same credentials as registered dietitians, Delbridge says. Yet, De Los Rios claims that her plan has helped thousands of people lose weight.
And that's probably true, says Sheth. After all, prioritizing whole, nutrient-dense foods and a healthy caloric deficit, and giving women an online community for support, are all proven to aid weight loss.
But you don’t need to purchase a diet plan, ditch whole-wheat bread, or risk nutrient deficiencies to do that. Just eat real food.
