Pritikin Diet
Nathan Pritikin, an American engineer and nutritionist, developed the Pritikin diet in the beginning to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. When he started advising people who wanted to improve their cardiovascular health to engage in a moderate exercise regimen and eat healthily, the standard of care entailed rest and avoiding any exertion, frequently combined with surgery and medication.
In 1979, Pritikin released his debut book. Less than 10% of calories should come from fat in the original version of the diet, followed by 10% to 15% from protein and 75% to 80% from complex carbs. Moreover, the range for the daily cholesterol restriction was 25 to 100 mg.
The Pritikin diet has slightly more fat than it did in its original form in order to avoid an essential fatty acid shortage. Currently, the breakdown of total calories into carbohydrates, fat, and protein is as follows:
- 70% from complex carbohydrates.
- 15% from fat.
- 15% from lean or plant-based protein.
Pros:
- Nutritionally sound.
- Diverse foods and flavors.
- No counting carbs, points or calories.
- Filling – it's rich in high-fiber foods.
- A clearly defined plan with recipes.
- Has proven health benefits.
Cons:
- Tedious portioning, meal planning or prep.
- Eating out limited.
- Lots of rules to remember.
