The Reality Diet

Lose the Pounds for Good with a Cardiologist's Simple, Healthy, Proven Plan
By Steven A. Schnur, M.D.

Reviewed by Rachel Levin

The secret to successful dieting, says cardiologist Steven Schnur, is not rocket science: if calories burned exceed calories consumed, the result is weight loss. Many fad diets conceal this truth by suggesting that restricting one type of food is the talisman to shedding pounds. Schnur debunks the myths of deprivation diet programs and advocates fiber as the key to shedding points healthfully and permanently. Fiber stops hunger and thereby promotes lower calorie intake; fights fat by preventing the absorption of calories from the small intestine; and lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses.

The centerpiece of Schnur’s Reality Diet is the 2:90 rule: two grams of fiber for every 90 calorie serving of carbohydrates, a practical ratio for ensuring adequate daily intake and holding calories steady. Taking into account the differing nutritional needs of men and women, the meal plan suggests a certain number of servings from each of seven categories of healthful foods by gender. Chapters on setting goals, incorporating exercise, securing emotional support and dealing with restaurants and holidays demonstrate Schnur’s well-rounded approach. Eight weeks of menus include tasty options like caramelized banana and peanut butter toast, cornmeal-crusted sole and ginger pear crumble. With this return to reality, long-term weight maintenance is no longer a thin possibility.

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