About The Biggest Loser Diet

"The Biggest Loser" is a popular TV show focused on diet, fitness and weight loss. Seeing the contestants lose incredible amounts of weight has been inspiring for many Americans struggling with their own weight loss issues. Due to the popularity of the TV show, the people behind "The Biggest Loser" have developed their own diet and exercise plan based on the principles the participants follow on the show.

About the Diet

• The Biggest Loser Diet was developed by Dr. Michael Dansinger in conjunction with dietitians and Bob and Jillian, the trainers on the television show. It is based on many of the principles the contestants followed on the show--healthy eating and regular exercise. Followers of the Biggest Loser eating plan are encouraged to eat the following in four to six small meals: four servings of fruits and veggies per day, three servings of low-fat protein, two servings of whole grains and one treat. The diet program lasts 12 weeks and focuses on reducing calories while burning fat with regular exercise.

Foods

• The Biggest Loser Diet offers a variety of meal plans and recipes for diets ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 calories per day. The general focus of the diet is on fruits, vegetables and whole grains, like brown rice, quinoa and whole wheat products. The diet urges you to avoid processed foods, including cookies, chips and other snack foods, and unhealthy fats in favor of low-fat, fiber-filled meals. If you do use fat in cooking, it should only be a small amount and limited to healthy fats like olive oil. Refined carbs, like white bread and pasta, are severely restricted.

Exercise

• Exercise is a must for any healthy weight loss plan. The Biggest Loser Diet recommends 200 to 300 minutes of cardio exercise per week, which can include jogging, bicycling or exercising at the gym. Weight lifting is also an important component, and the diet offers several sample strength training activities.

Where to Buy

• The principles of the Biggest Loser Diet are available in the book by the same name, which is available at all major bookstores and online retailers. The book also includes sample meal plans, recipes and exercise tips. The Biggest Loser Diet also offers an online website, which offers similar information from the book along with online support groups and forums. Some followers of the diet have found it easier to stick to the diet using the online program, because it provides calculation tools that make it easier to count calories. You will have to pay a membership fee of $19.98 a month to use the online program.

Reviews

• The Biggest Loser Diet generally earns good reviews from nutritionists and health experts. The diet's focus on healthy foods, calorie reduction and exercise is a healthy way to lose weight. Dietitian Toby Amidor gives the diet plan a thumbs up, particularly for its gradual and healthy approach to weight loss. However, she cautions that followers of the diet should not eat less than 1,200 calories a day, which is the minimum calorie requirements recommended by nutritionists.

Talk to Your Doctor

• Talk to your doctor before you start any diet or exercise program. Your doctor can evaluate your condition and give you personalized advice and recommendations.