Re: Bernstein diet research
From: jane (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 1 Oct 2002 02:35:49 -0500 (CDT)
Hi:
I did the Bernstein diet for a few weeks 2 years ago and was successful
at losing some weight(lost 15 lbs in 3 weeks). I started asking people
about it because I hated it. I was always hungry and miserable on it.
I went on the diet in a state of semi-desperation, if you're a dieter
you'll understand. I wanted to be thin, I wanted to be thin next week
but dieting takes so long and is hard. Also, I had tried diets like
weight watchers and Jenny Craig with no success. Bernstein's diet
seemed like the answer to my prayers and I guess it was for the first
week. Then week 2 and the "isolation factor" kicked in. Eating had
become a lonely, unpleasant task - no one wanted to join me in my
mini-meals. My social life was injured, badly. It is very strict and
you are not allowed to cheat - not even one little indlugence. The
seduction of this diet is the visible quick result - I'm sure only a
surgeon and his knife can take it off faster.
Being a PCOS sufferer, I asked my endocrinologist about the diet a year
or so later, when I was feeling like I should maybe try and speed up my
current diet (been losing about 1 lb every 2 weeks for a year). The
advice? Stay AWAY from it! Why? Not enough calories, it can screw up
your metabolism and stuff like that.
In summary: I've since heard the horror stories and have personal
friends who have suffered since they've come off it (yes 4 out of 4 have
gained back all the weight PLUS some) over the diet-following year. The
combo of semi-starvation and ketosis works quickly but BOY do you pack
in on in a hurry if you don't relish remaining in your starved state.
Right now, I have another friend who has just dropped a ton of weight on
it (50 lbs). She's still on it and LOVES the diet because she's finally
getting all kinds of attention. I just pray this one will keep it off -
but I douby it.
At Thu, 24 Jan 2002, Liisa wrote:
>
>Hi there,
>I'm researching a documentary idea about the bernstein diet. I
>understand that it is successful, but I'm wondering if it's safe. I've
>been reading the articles on this message board and I'm compelled by the
>varying opinion about this diet. If anyone can give me any information,
>or names of people that I can talk to or call, or articles that I can
>read... etc... I would appreciate any information (good and bad) about
>this diet.
>Thank you.
>Liisa
>glowdocs@hotmail.com
>
>At Fri, 9 Nov 2001, anonymous wrote:
>>
>>Hi,
>>
>>My sister tried the Dr. "Stanley" Bernstein program in Canada. He is
>>the doctor who runs a series of clinics in Ontario. BTW - Dr. Bernstein
>>was involved in a major scandal back in the mid nineties where he was
>>accused and later aquitted of attempting to hire a hit man to kill his
>>business partner. A lot of people still suspect he was guilty. There
>>was an extensive article written about him in Toronto Life about 6 years
>>ago.
>>
>>At any rate. The diet is a semi-deprivation diet where you will eat
>>only 800 calories a day. The meals (3 only, no snacks) consist of a
>>protein, vegetables and a tiny amount of carbs. The protein is only
>>allocated for 2 of the 3 meals, however, which leaves you with breakfast
>>being something as insubstantial as melba toast and fruit (both known to
>>spike blood sugar). There is absolutely no fat allowed, which means you
>>have to rely on sugar laden fat free dressings. This is not good for
>>PCOS sufferers. Olive oil can help blood sugar levels, as can other
>>Omega 3 fats like avocado and salmon oil.
>>
>>You are also given 3 shots a week of a high potency B complex vitamin.
>>This is what takes your appetite down to a manageable level for the 800
>>calories.
>>
>>Does it work? Yes, short term. My sister lost 20 pounds in one month.
>>But it was quite a struggle and she had to stop going. You can almost
>>lose your mind on that little an amount of food and don't let them fool
>>you that you won't be hungry. She said she could've chewed that hind
>>leg off a horse. And this girl has willpower.
>>
>>So, for a PCOS sufferer, it's not terrible, but it's not great either.
>>You'd probably be a lot less deprived on "Protein Power" or "Carb
>>Addicts Diet" and it would be a heck of a lot cheaper. Bernstein's
>>program will run you $100/week and that doesn't include any food.
>>
>>Good luck with your efforts!
>>
>>At Fri, 9 Nov 2001, Joanna wrote:
>>>
>>>There appears to be two Dr. Bernsteins.
>>>
>>>There is the Dr. (Richard) Bernstein who is an expert on diabetes and
>>>diabetes diets, and his web site is:
>>>http://www.diabetes-normalsugars.com/
>>>
>>>Then there is the other Dr. Bernstein who runs weightloss clinics:
>>>http://www.drbernstein.com/site.html
>>>
>>>I am guessing anonymous was referring to the diabetic doctor, since I
>>>have heard a number of people talk about this diet here. Personally, I
>>>am not overly familiar with either of these doctors' programs.
>>>
>>>Perhaps someone out there will be able to enlighten us on these doctors'
>>>programs??
>>>
>>>--
>>>Joanna :)
>>>
>>>http://www.drbernstein.com/site.html
>>>
>>>At Thu, 8 Nov 2001, anonymous wrote:
>>>>
>>>>At Mon, 28 May 2001, Ann wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>I am about to start trying the Dr. Bernstein Diet. Has anyone else
>>>>>tried it?
>>>>>
>>>>>--
>>>>>bigsister28@yahoo.com
>>>>>
>>>>Do a search under Mike Bullard who is a Canadian talk show host, or the
>>>>Ottawa Citizen newspaper. He has recently went from 244 to 188 in less
>>>>than a year. He's quirky but it seems to have worked.
>>>
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