After India Knight and Neris Thomas went on a diet and lost a total of 140 lbs. between them in less than a year, they decided to share their program with others. Detailed in their 2008 book "Neris and India's Idiot-Proof Diet," the authors promote a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet for significant weight loss.
The Authors
Film producer and artist Neris and her friend India, a book author and newspaper columnist, weighed 434 lbs. between them when they began their diet. They designed their plan to be successful while also being flexible, and to help them avoid feeling hungry or deprived. As both are busy women, they also wanted a diet to fit into their daily lifestyle, according to the Every Diet website.
Phases
The weight-loss part of the diet lasts 11 weeks and is divided into two phases. This is followed by a maintenance phase designed to help you keep the weight off. During the first two weeks, you eliminate nearly all carbohydrates, including alcohol. During phase two, you add vegetables that have moderate levels of carbohydrates, along with fruit, yogurt, oatmeal and stone-ground whole-wheat bread. Phase three allows gradual reintroduction of more carbohydrates; decrease your carbohydrate intake if you start gaining weight. Avoid all refined carbohydrates and sugars even in the maintenance phase. The authors discourage eating bread made with refined flour as well as pasta, rice, potatoes and sugary dessert items.
Menu
Diets in Review and Every Diet provide examples of meals on the Knight and Neris diet plan. Breakfast might include an omelet with cheese and bacon, or scrambled eggs with tomato. For lunch and dinner, enjoy a salad with salmon, walnuts, chopped red pepper and snow peas; chicken Caesar salad; lean beef with stir-fried vegetables; or baked chicken with pesto sauce and green beans. Other recommended foods include nuts, peanut butter, cream, butter, green vegetables, avocado and herbal tea.
Additional Recommendations
Write down the reasons you want to lose weight to help you stay motivated throughout the process, advise Neris and Knight. They also recommend walking for 10 minutes for exercise every day for the first six weeks. After that, you may change to doing some form of exercise three times per week.
Considerations
The weight maintenance phase of this diet advocates restricting most carbohydrates over the long term, notes Diets in Review. Some people will find this difficult. The diet emphasizes high-cholesterol foods, including red meat, bacon and eggs, which may not be healthy for everyone. This eating plan is not suitable for vegans.
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