From
Katie Couric to
Molly Sims, from CEOs to CFOs, an entire slew of New York City's elite is following this diet. Started by
Tanya Zuckerbrot, this diet is a fiber-rich
weight loss program. How much does it cost? Well, as high as the clientele is, so is the fee. A start-up package with Zuckerbrot can cost as much as 15000 USD, which is over 10 lacs in INR!
“I charge $US15,000 dollars for my start-up package which includes an initial consultation and a two-hour education class as well as follow-up visits. My associates charge $US4,500 ($6,000) for their packages,” Zuckerbrot told a website.
The main dictum of this diet is to consume high-fiber foods with all your meals. They can include vegetables, fruits and GG Bran crispbread crackers, the last being the secret weapon of this diet, which is now popularly called the '
Cracker diet' or
F-Factor diet, F standing for fibre.
The crispbreads are actually appetite controlling in nature and are grown in Norway. While being rich in dietary fibre with four grams of it in every cracker, it is just 20 calories per serving.
“That cracker is the cornerstone of F-Factor. We use it instead of bread because your body can’t break it down so you get to eat these throughout the day and feel super full. It’s also revving up your metabolism so you’re going to lose weight without hunger,” Zuckerbrot explained.
“We recommend 35 to 40 grams of fibre a day. Unfortunately, we’re in a fibre deficiency. We have refined all of our foods and the average person is only eating 9 to 11 grams of fibre a day,” she said.
“Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation in the weight loss space. People have not been provided the right plan, so we take the time here to educate our clients rather than dictate to them and we explain the science behind our principals,” she said.
Concerned that a common man may not be able to afford her
diet plan, she said, “For people who are interested in the diet but they can’t necessarily afford to work with us, there are two books available, ‘The F-Factor Diet,’ and ‘The Miracle Carb Diet.’”
The diet focuses on combining lean proteins with high-fibre carbs that are low in calories. The fiber in the carbohydrate helps in bulk formation and hence, keeps one satiated.
The three basics of this diet are:
Focus on fiber: Try to include non-starchy, fiber-rich foods in your diet such as artichokes, peppers, spinach, beans, seeds, barley and heart of palm. However, when you increase your fibre intake, make sure you also increase your water intake as well because it will help you digest water soluble fibre.
Cheat, but with three bites: As per Zuckerbrot, one can definitely indulge in the foods they love, but follow the three-bite rule. Because the first and the last bite are the most satisfying, three bites are more than enough for one to feel satisfied, she believes.
Never eliminate food groups: Unlike many diets that believe in eliminating entire carbs or fats, Zuckerbrot says, "It's not realistic to completely avoid a food or ingredient because no matter what you try to cut out — sugar, dairy, wheat, alcohol, meat, etc. — the restriction often leads to craving it more."
