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Find Your Diet: The Schwarzbein Principle

Is The Schwarzbein Principle Right for Me?

From , former About.com Guide

Updated March 01, 2011

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This article series will help you compare various diet plans by describing the changes required by each. This installment looks at the diet plan published in the book The Schwarzbein Principle: The Truth About Losing Weight, Being Healthy, and Feeling Younger by Dr. Diana Schwarzbein.

The Schwarzbein Principle may be the right diet for you if you ...

Like to eat meat.

Like to eat whole foods (rather than convenience foods) and have the time to cook.

Don't want to count calories.

Can do without sweets.

Are willing to eliminate processed and refined foods.

Are willing to eliminate salt, sugar, caffeine and artificial sweeteners.

Are willing to count carbs, at least temporarily.

Are willing to experience weight-loss fluctuations -- from losing a noticeable amount of weight within a few weeks, to waiting months to see significant results.

Are willing to determine how many carbs you can eat during maintenance in order to prevent weight re-gain.

Are a vegetarian who is willing to use eggs, cottage cheese, peanut butter and tofu in your diet in order to be able to follow this diet plan.

Important Notes:

People with insulin-related disorders should talk to their doctor before trying this diet.

Those who have gout, kidney disease, liver disease, osteoporosis or heart disease -- or those with a family history of these conditions -- should not follow this plan.

This diet is not for pregnant women.

Please talk to your doctor before beginning this, or any other, diet plan.

Suggested Alternative:

You may prefer a more lenient diet that also includes "healthy" fats while allowing more daily servings of carbohydrates, such as The South Beach Diet, if this plan seems too restrictive or you are concerned about saturated fat intake.

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