When asked to picture a firefighter, most people probably think of a big, burly fellow who courageously charges into burning buildings risking his own life in an attempt to save others. That image hardly coincides with the concept of dieting, let alone a meat-free diet heavy on vegetables and whole grains. Yet one popular firefighter's diet, also known as the Engine 2 Diet, challenges many preconceived notions about the brave men and women associated with the profession.
History
Before becoming a firefighter, Rip Esselstyn, the Engine 2 Diet creator, competed as an All-American swimmer at the University of Texas and emerged as one of the world's top professional triathletes. Aside from his athletic prowess, Rip gained a strong foundation in medical research from his family -- his great-grandfather is a co-founder of the Cleveland Clinic and Rip's father, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn is a chief of surgery who conducted extensive research into the relationship between diet and heart disease. When Esselstyn discovered his fellow firefighters struggling with weight loss and high cholesterol, he used his background and experiences to craft the Engine 2 Diet, which produced weight loss and lower cholesterol levels for his co-workers within 28 days.
Features
Essentially a vegetarian diet, the Engine 2 Diet doesn't allow any meat or fish. Oil is forbidden, including the usually acceptable olive oil, due to its high caloric content. All processed foods also get eliminated and sodium intake must be greatly reduced. The eating plan consists mostly of vegetables, whole grains, beans, tofu, leafy greens and fresh fruits.
Benefits
The Engine 2 Diet claims to be a natural way to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease and other illnesses. According to Dr. Esselstyn, Rip's father, the diet owes its effectiveness to assisting the endothelial cells that line blood vessels and release nitric oxide to keep blood flowing smoothly. Cholesterol damages the endothelial cells, leading to clogged arteries and heart disease. The Engine 2 Diet greatly reduces dietary cholesterol, animal protein and saturated fats, the three main culprits in high cholesterol levels.
Misconceptions
Critics of vegetarian diets often claim plant proteins aren't complete proteins. Rip contends such misconceptions date back to faulty research conducted on rats during the early 1900s. Despite popular belief, plant proteins are complete, providing all 20 essential and non-essential amino acids found in protein, although sometimes at lower levels than found in meat. However, eating a plant-based diet can still provide the same complete proteins without meat protein's saturated fat and cholesterol. The key remains eating a varied plant-based diet with enough calories to meet energy needs.
