1. Shangri-La Diet: Real or Imagined
Shangri-La is the name of fictitious valley in the book "Lost Horizon". The term has become synonymous with the idea of Paradise on Earth, where nobody has any cares or concerns in connection to the outside world.
Somehow, out of this idea, Seth Roberts, PhD and professor of psychology at Berkley invented a diet with the same name. The Shangri-La Diet is touted as a "no hunger, eat anything" weight loss plan.
2. What is Your Set Point
The major crux of the Shangri-La Diet revolves around the body's set point. The set point is the weight that your body naturally wants to settle at. For many people, their set point is too high for their liking. According to Dr. Roberts, it is possible to lower a body's set point (lose weight) by radically changing your eating habits.
3. Calorie Association
According to Dr. Seth Roberts, eating foods with unfamiliar flavors is key to lowering the body's set point and losing weight. He advises dieters to stay away from highly processed foods, refined grains and foods containing high fructose corn syrup. They should have fruits, vegetables and whole grains. All good, sound diet advice. However, Dr. Roberts goes on to explain that tastier foods (regardless of their health benefits) are what drive up the body's set point, causing weight gain. Eating bland foods help keep your cravings down, and thus keep your set point low. He calls this theory "Taste Calorie Association."
4. Is it Impractical?
Most people following the Shangri-La Diet eat one or two small meals a day and supplement extra calories with one to three tablespoons of fructose (sugar) water, or one to two tablespoons of olive oil. According to Dr. Roberts, this teaches your body to stop associating taste with calories which may or may not be sustainable for everyone for an extended period of time. Plus, Dr. Roberts advises flavoring foods in an unconventional way to trick the body into not recognizing the food.
5. Lack of Scientific Background
It is important to remember Dr. Seth Roberts has a degree in psychology, not medicine or nutrition. And with all diets it is important to consult with your general practitioner before beginning a regime.
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