Pros And Cons Of The Five Factor Diet

The 5-Factor Diet, developed by celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak, emphasizes the number five. You'll eat five meals a day, use five ingredients per recipe and perhaps even spend five minutes on food preparation. Pasternak's eating plan focuses on lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, nonfat dairy and whole grains -- a selection that's hard to argue with.

Promotes Overall Healthy Eating

Unlike many diet plans on the market, the 5-Factor Diet doesn't ask you to eliminate a wide variety of foods. Each food group is represented in Pasternak's diet, and recipes provide a balanced mixture of carbohydrates, protein and fat. Pasternak emphasizes whole foods over overly processed choices, and offers dieters tips on selecting foods that are high in nutrients. You are not encouraged to skip meals or purchase gimmicky shakes, supplements or other questionable products.

Simple to Implement

If you dislike spending an inordinate amount of time shopping or in the kitchen, the 5-Factor Diet will likely work for you. You won't spend time hunting down specialty foods, and since each recipe has five or fewer ingredients, your prep time will be limited. The limited ingredients might have a positive effect on your grocery bill as well. Many recipes require minimal cooking time, making Pasternak's plan ideal for people who are on the move. The book, "The 5-Factor Diet," provides an exercise plan that is easy to follow as well. Each exercise is illustrated, and no gym membership is necessary.

Nutritional Information Not Provided

Even if you eat healthy foods and exercise, weight loss is not guaranteed. Knowing how many calories you consume each day is critical to a weight loss plan, yet the recipes in "The 5-Factor Diet" do not provide this or any other nutritional information. Therefore, a man who weighs 240 lbs. may have very different results on this diet than a woman who weighs 145 lbs. If you choose to go on this diet, it is a good idea to log your calories into a calorie-tracking program so you don't eat too few or too many for your body type and activity level.

Relies Heavily on Eggs and Dairy Products

Over 9 percent of adults report having food allergies, according to the June 2007 "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology." Eggs and dairy are two of the foods that people are the most likely to be allergic to. The 5-Factor Diet relies heavily on nonfat dairy products and egg whites, and Pasternak does not offer alternatives for individuals who are allergic to these foods. Following the diet will be difficult if you have these food allergies.