The Ornish diet, originally created by Dr. Dean Ornish to reverse coronary artery disease, is now commonly used as a weight-loss plan. This diet focuses on eliminating certain foods rather than restricting portion sizes or calorie intake. This diet is vegetarian, meaning that it excludes all types of animal flesh, such as fish, beef, pork, lamb and poultry. Simple adjustments can also make the Ornish diet suitable for vegans.
Excluded Foods
In addition to meats, the vegan version of the Ornish diet also excludes foods derived from animal sources. Eggs, a staple of the standard Ornish diet, are not permitted. The vegan version also excludes all types of dairy products. The Ornish diet excludes all nuts, seeds, oils, avocados and refined flour products such as white pastas, breads, bagels, tortillas and baked goods.
Permitted Foods
The vegan Ornish diet permits all types of fruits and vegetables, except for avocados. Whole-grain products, such as whole wheat breads and pastas, whole-grain tortillas and whole-grain bagels, are also acceptable. Tofu, a meat replacement made from pressed soybean milk curds, provides protein and calcium in the Ornish vegan diet.
Purported Benefits
By removing refined flour products, which are simple carbohydrates, the Ornish vegan diet may facilitate weight loss. Your body rapidly converts these carbohydrates into glucose, a primary energy source . However, you store glucose not used as fuel for exercise or tissue repair as fat, promoting weight gain. The absence of meat, eggs, dairy products and oils also limits your intake of saturated fats, which can contribute to weight gain and heart disease. Focusing on grains and fresh fruits and vegetables provides your body with a wealth of essential nutrients, including dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Considerations
The exclusion of nuts and seeds may make it difficult to obtain sufficient protein while following the Ornish vegan diet. These foods are staple protein sources in a standard vegan regimen. Nuts are also sources of essential fatty acids, which are necessary for brain and nervous system function. The foods permitted under the Ornish vegan diet are also devoid of vitamin B-12, a vitamin that helps prevent neurological damage and osteoporosis.
The lack of convenience may make following the Ornish vegan diet difficult in the long term. Few restaurants offer selections suitable for this highly restrictive diet.
References
- "Eat More, Weigh Less"; Dean Ornish, M.D.; 2001
- Every Diet: Ornish Diet
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.; 2010
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