Why Experts Don’t Want You To Try This Diet

At 226 lbs., celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito knew his weight was out of control.

And with the threat of heart disease looming on the horizon, he knew he had to make a decision.

In turn, he developed his own diet–the Pound A Day Diet.

“It’s a chef’s point of view that’s been missing in the world of health,” says DiSpirito to ABC News. “These recipes are easy to make and they taste great.”

What is A Pound a Day Diet?

As a celebrity chef who specializes in Italian-American cuisine, DiSpirito knows how challenging it is to diet–especially when surrounded by delicious food.

His diet, however, lets you eat whatever you want, provided you stick to a strict calorie goal.

Claiming his diet turns you “into a fat burning machine,” DiSpirito’s diet only allows a paltry 850 calories per day–divided into several meals a day–with more calories allowed during the weekend. But even then the calorie count isn’t high: You get to splurge on a measly 1200 calories.

“I am surrounded by the most delicious food available on the planet every day of my life,” says DiSpirito. “And if I can do it, anyone can do it.”

To complement his diet, DiSpirito also has a weekly recipe plan, ranging from chocolate smoothies to beef and broccoli stir fry.

But even then, don’t expect to eat too much–each meal averages out to 100 calories per meal.

Why Experts Aren’t Happy

For DiSpirito, it’s the diet that saved him from heart disease–but what do experts think of his plan?

It turns out they aren’t fans.

“A person taking less than 1000 calories per day is going to have trouble getting in enough nutrition to maintain a healthy body–vitamins, protein, minerals, and other nutrients must be carefully consumed in order to avoid malnutrition when a person is on a diet with so few calories,” says Dr. Brian Quebbermann, founder of the Nutrition, Exercise, and Wellness Program in Newport Beach, Calif. “Their body will change from an active calorie-burning mode to a calorie-storing mode.”

In turn, eating fewer than 1,200 calories per day may cause rapid weight loss, says Dr. J Shah, chief medical director of Amari Medical. While that may sound great at first glance, the effects of rapid weight loss are rarely good–oftentimes causing symptoms similar to anorexia nervosa, a type of eating disorder.

“At first, dieters may feel more alert, energetic and sharp, due to the production of ketone bodies from the fat loss,” says Shah. “However, if a person is starving if they fast and is losing muscle and water, this may lead to confusion, mind fogginess, anxiety, and eventually depression.”

Case in point? While DiSpirito’s Pound a Day Diet will trim off those excess pounds in a jiffy, chances are you’ll starve yourself in the process–and destroy the brittle metabolism that could make you actually gain weight in the long haul (despite how many calories you’re eating).

Readers: Would you try this diet?

Sources:
DiSpirito’s Diet Draws Criticism From Experts – MedicalDaily.com
The Low Down on A Pound a Day Diet – ABCNews.go.com

About The Author: Zero to Hero Fitness

Our mission at Zero to Hero Fitness is to help you to finally lose the weight and keep it off, strengthen your body and mind, and experience naturally high levels of energy throughout the day. We believe everyone, regardless of your past or current struggles with your health or fitness, can greatly improve on your existing condition and live life in your best body possible.

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