Dr. Eric Braverman Diet

Dr. Eric Braverman Diet
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The Younger Thinner You diet was created by Dr. Eric Braverman, who claims that following his program will help you lose weight, reverse aging and fight disease by gaining a better understanding of your brain chemistry. Braverman outlined his plan in a book with the same name. Always talk with your doctor before beginning any new weight loss program.

How It Works

To begin Braverman's diet, take the assessment test, which helps you determine which chemicals in your brain may need to be balanced for better health and weight loss. According to Braverman, these chemicals, which include dopamine, serotonin and acetylcholine, play a role in weight management, personality and your attitude towards food, all of which can enhance your health when they are in balance. Each chemical imbalance emphasizes a variety of foods that help achieve a normal level. The exact foods you choose from are determined by the results of your assessment and are outlined in detail in Braverman's book.

Food

Braverman advises eating plenty of food from all the food groups, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean cuts of meat. These foods contain many nutrients that support good overall health, but are typically low in fat and calories, which contributes to weight loss. To boost your metabolism, include at least 3 spices at each meal, which are also advised because they control appetite, enhance brain chemistry, improve digestion and cleanse your body. Breakfast might be yogurt with fruit and cinnamon, black bean, jicama, corn and mango salad is a suggested lunch choice and for dinner you might try blood orange salmon with seasoned rice. Snack on popcorn seasoned with rosemary and garlic.

Exercise

Braverman's diet emphasizes getting plenty of exercise because it helps balance brain chemistry, burn calories and reduce food cravings. The program allows you to customize the workout routines, but advises engaging in strength training and cardiovascular activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting 60 to 90 minutes of physical activity each day for healthy weight loss and maintenance.

Consideration

The Braverman diet is a healthy way to incorporate a variety of foods from each food group, covering your nutrient needs without having to count calories. Once you have reached your goal weight, following Braverman's eating plans allows you to keep the weight off and offers you shopping tips and recipes that take the guesswork out of meal preparation. Despite the benefits of the diet, it does advocate the use of artificial sweeteners, which may be harmful to your health and many of the claims made by Braverman are not backed with medical research to support them.

References

Article reviewed by Jenna Marie Last updated on: Sep 1, 2011

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