Ultrametabolism Diet
Our Reviewer Says ...
“This diet is good for people who are willing to make big changes and completely overhaul their kitchens”
At a Glance
By Amy Paturel
A medical doctor and researcher Mark Hyman, M.D., claims each body uses nutrients differently to awaken fat-burning genes. During his medical training, Hyman's energy and mood swung wildly with his daily triple espresso and chocolate-chip-cookie fix. His battle with chronic fatigue syndrome motivated him to find his own personal formula for optimal health, fitness and functioning. Based on 10 years of hands-on experience at Canyon Ranch health resort, he formulated the UltraMetabolism Diet's seven keys to weight loss: controlling appetite and metabolism, reducing stress, managing inflammation, preventing cellular "rust," turbo charging your metabolism, ensuring optimal thyroid function and detoxifying your liver.
The book uses a series of quizzes to help readers target their personal trouble zones and implement a diet that works with the individual's body. Dieters are required to eat every three hours, but not within three hours of bedtime. The plan consists of three stages: a one-week preparation, Phase I and Phase II. In the initial prep phase, dieters banish bad foods including sugar, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated fats, junk food, alcohol and caffeine. Next, dieters enter Phase I, a three-week detoxification. Here, dieters introduce whole "healing" foods and eliminate common food allergens like dairy products, eggs and gluten.
The final stage, Phase II, starts at week four and lasts for life. Herein, dieters start to reprogram their bodies and genes to lose weight and keep it off. The lifetime phase allows you to reintroduce previously banished foods in a way that allows you to monitor their effects on your health. So if you get a stomach ache from dairy products, for example, you know to steer clear of them. According to Hyman, by the end of eight weeks, you will have lost 11 to 21 pounds or more.
Checklist
- Cost: Moderate to expensive. High-quality fresh foods and specialty items like flax, nuts and seeds, may push your grocery bill up.
- Meals Provided: No.
- Diet Duration: Ongoing. The first two phases comprise four weeks, but the final phase lasts a lifetime.
- Fitness Requirements: Definitely -- especially interval training and weight lifting, both of which help boost your metabolic rate.
- Time Commitment: Intense. Expect detailed shopping lists and time-intensive recipes on this plan.
- Eating Out: Yes, provided you stick to whole foods. Consider organic and slow food restaurants.
- Alcohol: Limited. Keep it to less than three glasses of red wine weekly.
- Vegetarian-Friendly: Absolutely. Tofu, beans and flax are among the many vegetarian protein options featured in UltraMetabolism recipes.
- Strict/Flexible Eating Plan: Strict in that you must eat whole, organic foods and follow specific shopping lists, but flexible in that you don't need to eliminate foods from your eating plan.
