The Stone Age Diet

Steven R. Gundry, M.D., says he knows why so many fad diets fail: They're all based on eating modern, mostly processed foods, and especially refined grains, which can cause inflammation in the body. In his book, Dr. Gundry's Diet Evolution, the once–overweight cardiothoracic specialist (who lost more than 70 pounds with his system) lays out a plan for adjusting your eating habits so they resemble those of our ancient ancestors. In doing so, he promises, you can lose weight, reduce cholesterol, and lower your blood pressure.

Work with your genes Gundry's Diet Evolution is similar to the Paleolithic diets you may remember from a few years ago. Those diets advised eating only foods found in the wild, especially those that have been grown organically and are free of preservatives. But Gundry, who is also the director of the International Heart and Lung Institute in Palm Springs, Calif., goes further by emphasizing the role our genes play in affecting our health and diet. For example, at one time, fruit was only available to people in the Northern Hemisphere during the summer season. Whenever we came across fruit, our genes were led to believe that winter was on the way, so they instructed the body to convert the fruit's sugar into the fat we'd need to get through the season. These days we eat fruit all year round, and while we've had a chance to adjust to this change, our bodies have not. The result: We end up with too much sugar and fat for our genes, and that leads to a host of diet–related illnesses, like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.

Phase in the changes Gundry's goal is to gradually take eaters back in time by exposing them to foods that trick our genes into shedding fat, instead of storing it. He suggests a three–part plan: During the first six–week phase, the emphasis is on protein–rich foods. You can eat as much leafy greens as you'd like, and snack on nuts and seeds (Gundry advises steering clear of refined grains and anything sweet—including fruit for at least the first two weeks.) The second six–week phase involves eating less meat and more vegetables; and the third teaches you to sustain your weight loss permanently by learning to subsist on vegetables and the occasional small portion of meat or other protein.

The bottom line The Diet Evolution is simple enough to follow; the book has plenty of lists of so–called good and bad foods, and is loaded with tasty recipes like Cajun Blackened Tempeh and Roasted Cauliflower with Sage. But what do the nutrition experts think? "Yes, food is incredibly plentiful these days, and year round, which definitely leads people to overeat unhealthy options," says Susan Moores, R.D., a St. Paul, Minnesota‐based spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. But while she agrees with Gundry's suggestion of seeking out whole foods in place of those that are processed, Moore is wary of his advice that people avoid almost all fruits and grains for the first few phases of his plan. "There isn't evidence that suggests eliminating whole food groups from your diet is good for your health," adds Moore, who believes a well–rounded diet and plenty of exercise will always be your best bet for successful weight loss.