Mala McAlpin Watchers of the reality series ‘Botched’, a show that features recipients of cosmetic surgery-gone-wrong, will be familiar with celebrity plastic surgeon Terry Dubrow, who is now making headlines for his (and his wife, Heather Dubrow’s) new book: ‘The Dubrow Diet: Interval Eating to Lose Weight and Feel Ageless’.
In an age where we frequently hear about new dieting fads, this one is causing quite a stir. The Dubrow Diet is similar to the Keto Diet, and is designed to both aid in weight loss and improve energy. It even claims anti-ageing benefits, with the Dubrows saying it “activates the anti-ageing ability found in your cells”.
It’s based on intermittent fasting, with a relatively low-carb diet with a few exceptions allowed here and there. It also encourages followers to keep things as simple as possible, and no calorie counting. There are three phases of the diet that the book describes:
Phase one – a no-food fast period to shock the system into hunger mode. This should be done for a 16 hour period, two to five days per week. Feel free to splurge on water, coffee, tea, on ‘zero calorie’ beverages, but no alcohol. Recommended foods once fasting is over includes lean protein, healthy fats, a little dairy, non-starchy vegetables, fruit, and a snack like nuts and seeds, air-popped popcorn or beef jerkey. Alcohol is allowed during the eating phase, just keep it to one drink and something low in sugar. A glass of wine is said to count for 1 of the 2 daily recommended fruit servings.
Phase two – this one needs to be stuck to until the goal weight is reached. For slow/gradual weight loss, fast for 12 hours per day and eat during the following 12 hour window. For medium-paced weight loss, fast for 14 hours and eat during the next 10, and for fast loss of weight, 16 hour fasts per day. These phases also allow for one cheat meal per week. Allowed daily foods are as above.
Phase three – to maintain the weight loss, 12-hour fasts should be completed five days a week, and 16-hour fasts on the remaining two days.
Here is a breakdown of recommended daily food intake for all phases:
- 2-3 servings of protein
- 2-3 servings of fat
- 1 snack – nuts, seeds, etc
- 1 serving of dairy
- 2-3 servings of vegetables
- 1-2 servings of fruit
- 1 serving of complex carbs
While there is evidence around the positive effects of intermittent fasting on weight loss, which is also presented in the Durbrow’s book, health experts are emphasising that it is still an emerging area, and as with any diet, results will vary according to the individual, should be treated case by case, and professional health advice carried out before taking part.
For more news, subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
