What are the Dangers of the Hallelujah Diet?

The Hallelujah Diet mirrors the raw-food diet, but adds a dose of spirituality. Diets so restrictive in nature can be healthy (like the vegan diet), but they also require careful planning to ensure all nutritional needs are met. Otherwise, the diet can pose serious health risks.

Overview of the Diet

• Diet creator George H. Malkmus gives dietary guidelines in the book, "The Hallelujah Diet": Eat 85 percent raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouts. The remaining 15 percent of food intake can be cooked, primarily as steamed vegetables, cooked beans and soy products. In addition, B12 supplements, digestive enzymes and other cleansing products are recommended. These guidelines are extracted from biblical references, all expressing that God advises a diet rich in "living" or uncooked foods for optimal health. Foods to be avoided are stimulants such as alcohol and coffee, meat, dairy and cooked grains products such as bread, cake and cereal. Artificial flavors and sweeteners are also prohibited.

Risk of Too Few Calories

• Most calorie-dense foods, such as whole grains, are removed from the Hallelujah Diet. Getting enough calories from fruits and vegetables, which are low in calories, can be challenging. If one neglects to eat high-calorie, nutrient rich foods like avocados, nuts, and seeds, caloric needs will not be met. If the body is deprived of calories, it can go into starvation. Sheri Barke, a registered dietitian at UCLA, contends that restrictive dieting can cause bone loss, weakness, decreased concentration and depression.

Risk of Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency

• When one does not eat a wide variety of foods, deficiencies can happen. Complex carbs from whole-grain products contain important B vitamins that are difficult to get from plant sources. B12 deficiency is a real risk with this diet, as few plant-based sources produce it naturally. Someone who becomes deficient in B12 can experience memory loss and disorientation. Protein deficiency is another risk, if one is not consuming complete proteins found in meat and cooked beans and rice. Because these nutrients are difficult to get in plant-based sources, diligently taking supplements as outlined in the diet's guidelines is extremely important.

Risk of Taking Too Many Supplements

• While taking supplements to ensure one is receiving proper nutrients is important, taking too many supplements can be detrimental to one's health. Overconsumption of some fat-soluble vitamins and minerals can cause health problems (See vitamin chart in Resources.). Vitamin A overdose causes poor skin, blurred vision, headaches and loss of hair. Vitamin D overdose can cause bone loss, and too much zinc can cause internal bleeding. Though overdose is rare, one must be cautious when taking supplements, especially in the large quantities this diet recommends.

Ways to Eliminate Risk

• If you have concerns about the strict nature of this diet, skip the supplements and all-or-nothing approach. Just incorporate the best ideas from this diet---add more whole fruits and vegetables to your existing diet and stay away from processed, refined sugars. These are principles of the Hallelujah Diet that can greatly improve your current diet. For those still interested in following the Hallelujah Diet, gradually switch to eating more fruits and vegetables while eliminating cooked, refined foods. Monitor your diet often and consult a doctor to ensure you get enough calories and nutrient.