What is the Paradox diet – and can it help me lose weight?

In short, this fad diet claims that certain foods (including many herbs) contain inflammatory proteins, called lectins, that can inhibit weight loss and other health goals. The Plant Paradox diet has also been popularized recently in part by, who has stated that he has adopted diet for his autoimmune disease and thyroid problems and, incidentally, lost 37 pounds.

But, unsurprisingly, dietitians are wary of this anti-plant diet. Why? Many people think that the evidence is not there to prove it and that to prevent you from eating a lot of the foods that bad diets can do more harm than good.

Here, everything you need to know about the Plant Paradox diet, according to dietitians, before you try it yourself.

Please explain: What exactly is the Plant Paradox diet?

In simple terms, the Plant Paradox diet is a restrictive diet – aka proteins found in most plants and herbal foods, including (beans, lentils, peas and chickpeas), cereals, fruits, vegetables, nuts, coffee , chocolate, herbs and spices. The largest amount of lectins is found in legumes and grains, says RD, author of The Plant-Powered Diet.

About 30% of the foods we eat contain a significant amount of lectins, adds RD, CSSD, performance nutritionist in New York and Los Angeles.

The Plant Paradox diet encourages people to avoid fruit (unless they are in season because the lectin content is then lower) and multiple vegetables (including tomatoes and cucumbers, unless They are peeled and seeded to reduce the lectin content), as well as milk and cereal-based products. Also on the long list of things? Refined starchy foods like potato chips, bread and cookies (well, it's not * completely * unreasonable advice), soy, tofu, sugar and so on.

Of course, the diet does not call for all products. Low lectin foods that you can consume with the Plant Paradox diet include vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, celery, onions, carrots, leafy greens, poultry and beef fed at the same time. herb, as well as the long list of supplements (including the creator of the diet, BTW).

Wait, what's wrong with the lectins?

Plants have evolved to contain lectins. These proteins are natural defense systems against pests, viruses, sun damage and predators, says Palmer. And supporters of Plant Paradox believe that these substances cause all kinds of health problems and diseases. But most of those that caused the alarm appeared in the 80s and 90s and involved rats rather than humans.

So why does the Plant Paradox diet claim that lectins are there to attract us? In larger amounts, uncooked lectins found in legumes such as raw lentils or kidney beans in your digestive tract reduce your body's ability to absorb certain nutrients, says Sbad. But soaking and cooking, germinating and fermenting foods that contain lectins in negligible quantities, she says.

And although fruits and vegetables contain lectins, in most cases the health benefits outweigh the disadvantages, experts say. We know that hundreds of studies show that these plant-based foods, even if they contain lectins, are badociated with benefits, says Palmer. [Plant foods] reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Well now, I'm curious, could the Plant Paradox diet help me lose weight?

Honestly, it would be possible, but probably not for the reasons that you think. I have seen healthy people adopt this diet and lose weight, but the results are due to the elimination of processed foods, excess sugar and carbohydrates, and to consumption more vegetables and whole foods – and not the elimination of lectins, Sbad says.

You can also do yourself a disservice by eliminating lectin-rich foods in weight loss: whole grains, legumes and vegetables are actually linked to a drop in the balance, thanks to their high fibers, says Palmer. Legumes rich in lectin are particularly effective for weight loss and maintenance because they are high in protein but low in saturated fats, which has been badociated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Take the word "science" for you: if following a low-calorie diet is difficult, it can help you lose weight more easily, according to a recent study published in the.

What do Plant Paradox diet reviews say?

Look for Plant Paradox Diet reviews and find a mix of people noticing that they have actually managed to lose weight or feel better, but alongside many critics of dietitians and doctors.

An Amazon reviewer points out that Plant Paradox's diet book focuses on the "unproven theory that lectins are at the root of the disease". Another opinion summed up: "It is a very expensive and hard to follow regime, not to mention a considerable imbalance". Criticism also reads: "Discoveries that break the planet require extraordinary scientific evidence." It would be nice to see peer-reviewed scientific evidence that supports [the creator’s] amazing claims. "

And these experts agree and will not recommend it: I do not think it's a healthy diet for the long term, says Palmer. A body of evidence shows that we should eat more whole grains, legumes and vegetables, not less.

Sbad adds: If you are healthy and focused on wellness and disease prevention, I will continue to eat foods containing lectins.

Considering that most of us do not eat enough vegetables and fruits to begin with, according to the CDC, you may not be really about to start reducing them.

An exception to the average negative reviews of Plant Paradox diet: If you have a (such as fibromyalgia, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus or Hashimotos), intestinal health problems (such as), or suspected, eliminating some food groups by group could help you get to the root of the causes of your symptoms, Sbad says. But this is something you should do with the help of a Registered Dietitian (read: not yourself) to make sure you get enough fiber and essential nutrients throughout the process, says she.

The bottom line?

The Plant Paradox diet eliminates many healthy foods related to weight loss and well-being. Its premise is not supported by scientific research, Palmer said. Study after study shows that foods of plant origin are anti-inflammatory. The Paradox Plant claims that they are toxic, but there is no reason to believe that this evidence goes in the opposite direction.

And even if you think you have food sensitivities, you'd better contact your doctor or a dietician to find the solution that's right for you.