Nutrition and wellness myth-busting – The “Ideal You” program

As I write this, I’m in a suburban oasis of Buffalo, NY. Aside from wings, pizza, beef on “weck” and other delicacies, being in the area usually results in my exposure to some nutrition myths and BS that are in need of busting.

The “ideal you” rapid weight loss program
Oh sweet Jesus. When I got off the plane at the Buffalo airport, I was bombarded with not one but TWO billboards for “Ideal You” weight loss centers in Western New York (there are three locations). I am somewhat familiar with “Ideal You” as one of my past patients was on it after being instructed to do so by her chiropractor (and you know how I feel about chiropractors dolling out nutrition advice). It’s a weight loss program sold throughout the country that requires participants to buy (expensive) foods and supplements sold as part of the program, and follow a strict “protocol” that promises rapid weight loss. First of all guys, if you see ANYTHING OR ANYONE promising rapid weight loss, run. Rapid weight loss is not a thing in terms of sustainability nor health. Period, the end.

Photo by Hello I'm Nik on Unsplash

Bogus claims and pseudoscience
But let’s continue. This program seems to have been started by an MD with questionable credentials and even more questionable nutrition knowledge. The website states: “Our protocol restricts sugars (simple and complex) until 100% of your weight loss goal is achieved…why? Because, as long as sugar is being consumed, your body is not burning fat. It really is that simple. Remember, the first source of energy is derived from glycogen (carbohydrate) reserves. Therefore, the core principle of the Ideal Protein Protocol is to deplete the glycogen (carbohydrate) reserves completely, in order to compel the body into consuming its fat reserve to burn calories.”

This is misinformation at its finest. There is no such thing as a complex sugar – complex carbs, yes. Your body can and does burn fat every day, even when sugar and carbs are consumed. It’s true that restricting sugar and carbs completely will deplete glycogen stores, but in addition, water that is stored with that glycogen. Hence, quick weight loss from water loss (not fat!). Then, because this diet is so restricted calorically, weight loss can certainly continue, but it’s not because the body has been magically tricked into burning only fat. In fact, severe caloric restriction is also likely to pull energy from muscle tissue (which we do not want!).

It's not a diet, it’s a lifestyle
The website also states “Ideal You isn’t a diet, it’s a lifestyle.” LOL. This is very obviously a diet – it restricts full food groups and certain foods, has a “protocol” with three phases and strict food rules, and a start and end point. At the “Ideal you” centers, you also visit weekly and see a “weight loss coach” (without any health or nutrition credentials). All of this is a diet, my friends.

I also have to mention the actual foods you’re required to buy and eat on the program, which seem to be loaded with various protein concentrates or isolates, starches (e.g., cornstarch, tapioca starch) sugar alcohols and stevia. This might be a recipe for fullness, because of the high protein content, but not necessarily satisfaction. Meaning, you may get initially full on these foods, but you may not feel satisfied. Enter: cravings, low level hunger and possible bingeing. It also speaks to the necessity of dietary supplements on the program, because none of their foods are nutritionally sound in terms of vitamins, minerals, etc. You know what is? Actual real foods.

$$$
As I mentioned above, the program is also expensive. There is a one-time “consultation” fee, and you have to pay for the special foods and monthly supplies of dietary supplements. I can’t emphasize enough here, but the main priority of any program or health professional that requires you to purchase their own food or supplements in order to achieve a goal is not your health, it’s to make money. It’s not possible to provide unbiased, quality care when you have products to sell. In other words, the goal of this program is to make that cash money, it is not to promote your short- or long-term health.

Speaking of, let’s talk about health
We know that restrictive diets that result in rapid weight loss are not sustainable. We also know the likelihood of weight regain, and usually more than what was originally lost, is close to 95%. This is not just because the diets are so unsustainable, but because they also create metabolic changes in the body that makes it harder and harder to lose weight every time a new diet is started. These metabolic changes can have long-term impacts on health and risk for chronic disease (I have a full post coming on this soon!). Diets are also more likely to cause or contribute to disordered eating behaviors and poor relationships with food and body. What’s more, in “Ideal You” they do not require or mention exercise or moving your body, which we know has long-term health benefits. I think it’s pretty clear here that this diet is pretty much the opposite of “health promoting.”

The testimonials
These really get me. The before and after photos, the triple digit weight loss claims. But at what cost to health? And just as importantly, was it kept off? The answer to that last question is no. Programs like Ideal You are not only designed for quick, unsustainable weight loss, but they’re designed to keep you coming back when they end up not “working” the first, second or third times. But like all other diets, it’s not you that is the problem, it’s the diet. And this one in particular is complete and absolute BS.

In conclusion
Obviously I would not recommend this or any weight loss program to anyone, no matter what. Any one “size fits all” program is missing another important point - the uniqueness of the individual. Everything from socioeconomic status, genetics, medical history, relationship with food and body, body type, lifestyle, age, psychological and emotional history, etc. matter when it comes to developing long-lasting habits that are meaningful to you and your health. Hope this was helpful!