Stillman Diet
The Stillman Diet, also known as The Doctor's Quick Weight Loss Diet, is one of the earliest forms of high protein, low carb diets and was created by doctor by the name of Irwin Maxwell Stillman in 1967.
However, unlike the Atkins Diet or the Scarsdale Medical Diet, the Stillman Diet also advocates a low fat diet as well as a low carb diet.
Like bothe the Atkins Diet and the Scarsdale Medical Diet the aim of the Stillman Diet is to push the body into a ketogenic state where the dieter will burn body fat as fuel and consequently see rapid weight loss. It aims to do this by consuming zero carbs, very little dietary fat but as much as 90 percent protein!
How the Stillman Diet works
The Stillman Diet suggests the dieter eats 6 small meals a day rather than 3 large meals. This type of eating plan is a favourite of bodybuilders as they believe eating little and often stokes the fires of the metabolism and aids the body to retain muscle mass whilst burning body fat for fuel.
On the Stillman Diet you are encouraged to only eat the following foods:
- Lean red meat
- Skinless chicken and turkey
- Fish and seafood
- Eggs
- Low fat cheese
As you can see the sources of protein on offer are very much those seen in the Atkins Diet. Observe the fact though that the Stillman Diet promotes the removal of any excess fat from meats, poultry and fish rather.
Food not allowed on the Stillman Diet, include:
- Breads
- Pasta
- Rice
- Vegetables
- Fruit
- Sweets
- Sugar
This means that zero carbohydrates should pass the lips of the dieter, very much in line with the early stages of the Atkins Diet and the TNT Diet.
Advantages of the Stillman Diet
The advantages of the Stillman Diet will be very similar to those stressed in the Scarsdale Medical Diet.
- Rapid weight loss
- Some freedom in food choices - protein food choices at least!
- A retention of muscle mass during a period of low calorie intake
Disadvantages of the Stillman Diet
Eating little or no carbs will put a tremendous stress on your brain output and function. The brain's main source of fuel comes from sugars taken in and processed from dietary carbohydrates. So prepared to feel excessively tired, unmotivated and lack concentration during the Stillman Diet.
Also, excluding fruits and vegetables from a diet mains that essential vitamins and minerals will be lost, so it is recommended that multi-vitamin pills and supplements are taken if you undertake the Stillman Diet.
Whilst protein is an essential part of balanced diet, consuming a diet made up of 90 percent protein is in no way balanced or healthy. Eating huge amounts of protein goes against dietary convention which suggests the diet of an active individual should be made up of between 20 - 30 percent protein. Eating such vast qualities will put a huge strain on the body, especially the kidneys as it copes with flushing excess protein not required by the body to maintain or repair muscle mass.
Like many other popular diets, the Stillman Diet doesn't actively advocate exercise as a way to promote and regulate long term weight loss. However, this is no real surprise as I doubt anyone using the Stillman Diet would have the energy to visit the gym let alone carryout a productive workout.
Stillman Diet - The conclusion
Before researching the ways and wherefores with the Stillman Diet I personally had never heard of any diet which suggested consuming as much as 90 percent protein in a bid to promote weight loss.
My suggestion though is to stay away from the Stillman Diet and choose other healthier options that allow you to lose weight whilst still eating fruits, vegetables and moderate amounts of carbohydrates, diets that include Weight Watchers, the GI Diet plan and the Zone Diet amongst others available and reviewed on the FitnessVenues.com Diet A to Z.
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