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Eat a low-calorie diet that's high in fruits, vegetables and lean protein, add thrown in a heavy dose of working out and you have the Biggest Loser program. All the basics that nutritionists recommend for long-term, effective weight loss -- reducing calorie intake, increasing exercise, avoiding sugar, drinking more water, and so on -- are a part of the program. While there's nothing necessarily ground-breaking about it, the program's no-spin, honest approach to getting fit is refreshing to see. While the books provide plenty of informatin and details about the plan, the diet's on-line component is impressive, giving dieters unlimited access to an assortment of tools, such as a message boards, diet tips, recipes, daily menus, customized exercise plans, a personal progress journal and the opportunity to chat with the show's trainers and cast members. Do you need all of these perks? Maybe not, but if you need a connection with others to stick it out, their community definitely provides that.
Is the diet healthy?
Yes, especially when compared to many weight-loss plans. Because it's basically a mix of many of the tried-and-true nutritional tips proven to successfully and safely help people lose weight, dieters can expect to eat a well-balanced menu. Its intense exercise plan is also more extreme, butmore effective, than many of the simple, bare-bones workout plans some diets use. For dieters, that doesn't just equate to burning more calories, but it's also more effective at improving your cardiovascular health.
What's especially nice is that the program allows dieters to modify their menu specifically around their needs. For example, if you're a vegetarian or, need to eat a low-sodium or low-cholesterol diet for health reasons, you can have your recommended meal plan match those demands.
What do the experts say?
"It's a pretty sound program, especially because it combines a lot of healthy eating principles into one plan, such as always grabbing a healthy breakfast, having smaller meals throughout the day and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables," says Jim White, RD, American Dietetic Association Spokesperson. "It's also mandatory for dieters to exercise regularly, which many nutritional programs never seem to stress enough." White also likes their on-line support, which he feels is reasonable for the price.
One of the Biggest Loser's biggest shortcomings however is its way of determining how many calories a dieter can eat. "The American Dietetic Association never recommends eating anything below 1,200 calories a day because a diet that low can leave you deprived of certain nutrients," says White, "If you weigh 170 pounds or less, you'll end up eating less than that." Dieters may also find themselves feeling extra hungry as the diet rolls on. "Undereating like that can set a dieter up to overeat by making them more hungry," says White. His recommendation: Only go as low as 1,200 calories, regardless of your weight.
Who should consider the diet?
Anyone who wants to learn weight-loss basics or needs the motivation of a regimented plan.
Bottom line
The Biggest Loser Club is a low-calorie, low-sugar, low-fat diet, with a lot of exercise thrown in. Dieters not used to exercising more than the standard three days a week for twenty minutes may find themselves working harder than any other diet they've tried before. But, if they can stick it out, this basic program will help them shed the pounds.
Foods
Oatmeal, milk, strawberries, yogurt, bananas, pecans, lean meats, brown rice, quinoa and baked corn chips. What you can't eat: White sugar, fried foods, processed foods, processed grains, sugary drinks and anything with trans fats.
Fitness expert Myatt Murphy is the author of the best-selling books, The Body You Want in the Time You Have, Ultimate Dumbbell Guide and The Men's Health Gym Bible.
Is the diet healthy?
Yes, especially when compared to many weight-loss plans. Because it's basically a mix of many of the tried-and-true nutritional tips proven to successfully and safely help people lose weight, dieters can expect to eat a well-balanced menu. Its intense exercise plan is also more extreme, butmore effective, than many of the simple, bare-bones workout plans some diets use. For dieters, that doesn't just equate to burning more calories, but it's also more effective at improving your cardiovascular health.
What's especially nice is that the program allows dieters to modify their menu specifically around their needs. For example, if you're a vegetarian or, need to eat a low-sodium or low-cholesterol diet for health reasons, you can have your recommended meal plan match those demands.
What do the experts say?
"It's a pretty sound program, especially because it combines a lot of healthy eating principles into one plan, such as always grabbing a healthy breakfast, having smaller meals throughout the day and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables," says Jim White, RD, American Dietetic Association Spokesperson. "It's also mandatory for dieters to exercise regularly, which many nutritional programs never seem to stress enough." White also likes their on-line support, which he feels is reasonable for the price.
One of the Biggest Loser's biggest shortcomings however is its way of determining how many calories a dieter can eat. "The American Dietetic Association never recommends eating anything below 1,200 calories a day because a diet that low can leave you deprived of certain nutrients," says White, "If you weigh 170 pounds or less, you'll end up eating less than that." Dieters may also find themselves feeling extra hungry as the diet rolls on. "Undereating like that can set a dieter up to overeat by making them more hungry," says White. His recommendation: Only go as low as 1,200 calories, regardless of your weight.
Who should consider the diet?
Anyone who wants to learn weight-loss basics or needs the motivation of a regimented plan.
Bottom line
The Biggest Loser Club is a low-calorie, low-sugar, low-fat diet, with a lot of exercise thrown in. Dieters not used to exercising more than the standard three days a week for twenty minutes may find themselves working harder than any other diet they've tried before. But, if they can stick it out, this basic program will help them shed the pounds.
Foods
Oatmeal, milk, strawberries, yogurt, bananas, pecans, lean meats, brown rice, quinoa and baked corn chips. What you can't eat: White sugar, fried foods, processed foods, processed grains, sugary drinks and anything with trans fats.
Fitness expert Myatt Murphy is the author of the best-selling books, The Body You Want in the Time You Have, Ultimate Dumbbell Guide and The Men's Health Gym Bible.
