Acknowledging and fearing the growing obesity epidemic, in 2003 Dr. Phil McGraw developed the "Ultimate Weight Loss Solution." Though on his show he took 10 contestants through the diet, Dr. Phil challenged all Americans to "get real" about weight loss. Combining a proper diet with a psychological makeover is the basis of the ultimate weight loss diet.
Significance
Dr. Phil's book "The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution," focuses less on the consumer perspective of the word "diet," and helps you understand the psychological barriers and pitfalls many people encounter when dieting. Losing weight is not just about counting calories and eating fruit; Dr. Phil believes you must understand and attack your psychological demons when it comes to food and weight loss.
Features
Dr. Phil has developed what he believes are the seven keys to weight loss freedom. Though proper diet and healthy nutrition are a part of the seven keys, they are not the main focus. Dr. Phil's weight loss solution is more heavily dependent on the psychological and behavioral issues that need to be confronted for sustained weight loss.
The Seven Claims
The American Dietetic Association describes the seven claims or keys to weight loss outlined by Dr. Phil's book "The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution." First, BMI and weight-height tables are not accurate charts to assess your weight --- instead the book promotes Dr. Phil's body weight standards as more realistic version and measure for people. Dr. Phil's second claim is that the nutritional, medical and obesity information in the book are from quality research from the most recent sources. Dr. Phil's third claim is that he is the first person to address weight loss in such a way and the first to put it into practice. The fourth claim describes that "high response" foods include a variety of low fat, healthy fat, high fiber foods that encourage fresh, low-sugar, low-fat and low-salt choices. Claim five encourages you to stay away from "low response" foods which are low in nutritional quality and lead to chronic diseases. These low response foods are easy quick-and-go foods like bars, candy and chips. The seventh claim promotes not measuring your food, but rather dividing your plate into sections and filling each section with protein, starch, vegetables and fruit. The seventh and last claim is a recommended list of vitamin, mineral, and herb supplements for the weight-loss resistant person, like the apple- and pear-shaped body types.
Reviews
The American Dietetic Association finds that Dr. Phil's seven claims, or keys, are not as accurate as he says they are. Some of the critiques include that 50 percent of the sources used for research are outdated by five years or more; his diet is not groundbreaking or new to the diet world as it basically comes down to lowering caloric intake; and there is no evidence to support that his line of diet supplements will actually help people lose weight. On the site Weight Loss, Dieting & Obesity, Dr. Phil's ultimate weight loss diet is highly recommended; however it is not because of the diet itself but because of the psychological and behavioral modifications that should take place if you attempt this this diet. The review critiques the diet for being low in fat and high in carbohydrates, which is the basis of many diets already leading to obesity. They also note that Dr. Phil does not take into consideration the dangers of artificial sweeteners and that the diet promotes no groundbreaking discoveries.
Warning
The ultimate weight loss diet accuses behavioral patterns as the main culprit of weight gain or struggles with weight loss. The diet itself enforces a high-carb low-fat diet, although some recent studies have shown that diets high in carbohydrates may prevent weight loss and even promote weight gain. The American Dietetic Association warns that going on Dr. Phil's ultimate weight loss diet should not be done without the supervision of a licensed counselor, medical expert or registered dietitian.
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