The Ornish Diet
The Ornish Diet is a somewhat popular diet that was developed by Dean Ornish M.D. in his book Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease. It is a diet that is specifically formulated to reverse heart disease but has recently been used as a weight-loss program. This vegetarian diet emphasizes low-fat, filling foods, including legumes and other high-fiber choices.
The Ornish Diet is a very strict one. It prohibits all foods containing cholesterol and saturated fat. Also, no meat is allowed, although nonfat dairy products and egg whites are permitted in limited quantities. This diet promotes complex carbohydrates (fruit, grains, etc.) and limits simple ones (sugars, honey, alcohol.) The most controversial part of the diet is its prohibition on nuts and fish, which some researchers claim actually protect the heart. The Ornish diet is 10% fat, 20% protein, and 70% carbohydrates. According to his book "Eat More, Weigh Less," the typical American diet is 40% fat, 20% protein and 40% carbohydrates.
The Ornish Diet