Overview

The Best Life Diet offers a healthy way to eat. The author, Bob Greene, is an exercise physiologist who believes this is a lifelong plan. He talks about getting to the cause of your weight struggles and working to fix them. You should lose 1 to 2 pounds per week on this plan.

How Might This Work?

This plan changes what you eat so that you are not taking in as many calories. It also addresses other things that affect your weight, such as your activity level, being in tune with your hunger, and emotional eating. Greene believes that dealing with the emotional reasons behind your weight is needed to lose weight and keep it off.

What’s Involved?

This plan has three phases. Before you start, Greene says that you must first find out “what in your life is stirring up your emotions and ultimately causing you to turn to food for comfort and distraction.”

What Does the Research Say?

There are no research studies that have looked at this weight loss plan. But it is based on basics steps for healthful eating. Greene does also add his own ideas.

For one, he believes that it is hard to safely get enough omega-3 acids from the foods you eat because of concerns about mercury and other contaminants in fish. He thinks that all people should take a fish oil supplement. His point is fair, but check with your doctor before you take any supplements.

Experts differ on the risk that mercury in fish poses to our health. The American Heart Association believes that the benefits of eating fish outweigh the risks for most people. However, young children and women who are pregnant or nursing should limit the amount and types of fish they eat.

Are There Any Concerns?

There are no major concerns with this weight loss plan. Be aware that Greene has put his “seal of approval” on products that he thinks are healthy. His support of brands is helpful, but you should also know how to select healthful items on your own and not limit yourself to these foods.

Bottom Line

This is a simple, sensible plan that will get you on the track to lifelong healthful eating and help you keep the weight off. It may be good for people who have struggled with their weight for years and tend to use food to deal with problems. This plan helps you get to the root of your emotional eating and then commit to changing your eating habits and being more active. It is not the right plan for people looking to get quick results.