Dr. Timothy S. Harlan uses the alias Dr. Gourmet to promote a series of diet books and cookbooks. In his book "Just Tell Me What to Eat!" Harlan outlines a six-week weight loss plan along with a selection of recipes, cooking techniques and nutritional suggestions. In a June 2011 article for the "Seattle Post-Intelligencer," Becky Coleman writes that the plan is easy to follow and Harlan's recipes leave you feeling satiated.
In the book, Harlan says he created his menu plan to mitigate the influence of fad diets and help his patients sort through the confusion many had about weight loss. For that reason, the Dr. Gourmet diet has few rules. Its main feature is a set of daily menus accompanied by nutritional breakdowns, weekly goals and explanations of what works and why. Harlan provides shopping lists for every meal.
Rules
The Dr. Gourmet diet plan features three rules: Eat nutritionally dense foods, adhere to the tenets of the Mediterranean diet and make your own meals. Nutritionally dense foods provide larger servings, but fewer calories. The Mediterranean diet increases your consumption of lean meats, dairy products, whole grains, vegetables fruits, nuts and legumes. Harlan revamps traditional recipes to better follow the principles of the Mediterranean plan. For instance, a chili recipe incorporates lentils and olive oil. As for rule 3, Harlan maintains that preparing your own meals with fresh ingredients improves your understanding of nutrition.
Goals
Each week, the Dr. Gourmet plan incorporates new nutritional goals. During Week 2, you eat more whole grains and stop skipping breakfast. For Week 2, you reduce your saturated fat intake and eliminate trans fats from your diet. In Week 3, you reduce sodium and learn how to interpret food labels. Harlan introduces the Mediterranean plan during Week 4. In Week 5, you learn more about good and bad fats. During the final week, you focus on eating in restaurants and away from home.
Dr. Gourmet
Harlan developed the Dr. Gourmet moniker during a circuitous career path. He originally worked as a chef. By age 22, he owned a French bistro. He chose a medical career after returning to college to study hotel and restaurant management. Harlan went on to host "The Dr. Gourmet" show on public television as well as programs on the Food Network and the DIY Network. Harlan also writes a column for The Huffington Post and is on the staff at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans.
References
- Just Tell Me What to Eat!: The Delicious 6-Week Weight Loss Plan for the Real World: Timothy Harlan, M.D.
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Book Review -- Just Tell Me What to Eat by Timothy S. Harlan, M.D.
- Dr.Gourmet.com: About Dr. Gourmet
- The Huffington Post: Tim Harlan, M.D.
- Tulane University: Tulane's Dr. Gourmet --Timothy S. Harlan, M.D.
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