The Suzanne Somers Weight Loss Plan is intended
to create a changed set of eating habits that last a lifetime.
The intended outcome of the diet is weight loss,
but the diet does not have a defined end. Instead, it is
intended that the dieter follow the level 2 recommendations
for weight maintenance throughout his or her life.
The diet is also intended to provide better general heath
through the emphasis on preparing and eating fresh
foods instead of processed foods, which are often high
in sodium and low in nutrients.
Suzanne Somers’ diet focuses on three main components:
eliminating some foods, separating certain
foods, and combining certain foods. Somers also
emphasizes eating fresh foods and generally staying
away from foods that are packaged or processed. The
diet does not require counting calories and does not
specify portion sizes. Instead, Somers believes that if a
dieter eats the correct foods in the correct combinations,
the dieter will be able to eat three meals a day
and eat until comfortably full, while still losing weight.
She does not believe that being hungry is necessary for
losing weight.
The main foods that Somers believes should be
completely, or nearly completely, eliminated are sugars
and starches. Somers also says that anything that the
body converts to sugar should be eliminated or significantly
restricted. This means that any foods that have
sugar in any form, including processed white sugar,
brown sugar, or maple syrup, need to be eliminated.
Most carbohydrates and starchy vegetables such as
corn are also on the list of foods that Somers refers to
as ‘‘funky foods’’ and believes should be eliminated
from the diet. She believes it is especially important to
stay away from simple carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates
are those that are easily broken down by the
body, and are often found in heavily processed foods.
Common simple carbohydrates include white rice and
white flour.
Somers does believe in eating sweet tasting things
however, and suggests using any form of sugar substitute.
She also sells her own brand of artificial sugar
replacement called Somersweet, and provides recipes
that are intended to be made with Somersweet or other
artificial sweeteners. Other foods that need to be
eliminated during the main phases of the diet are all
forms of alcohol. Alcohol is allowed in small quantities,
along with chocolate and other sugars and
starches, during the maintenance period of the diet.
In addition to eliminating foods, the diet focuses on
separating and combing foods. Somers divides foods
into four categories. These categories are: proteins/fats, vegetables, carbohydrates, and fruits. These groups
have rules about when to eat them, which groups
should be always be eaten together, and which should
never be eaten together.
If a meal is going to include proteins or fats, suchas
any kind of meat, then itmust be eaten with a vegetable.
A meal with protein or fat can never be eaten with
carbohydrates. This means that many desserts are not
allowed because although butter and shortening are
allowed, the dieter cannot eat them with any form of
starch, which eliminates many desserts such as cookies
and cakes.
If a meal contains carbohydrates, it cannot contain
any form of protein or fat. This means if the meal
contains whole grain bread, it cannot contain any
meat. Meals containing carbohydrates must also contain
vegetables. This means that whole grain pasta
tossed with vegetables is allowed, but the dieter may
not include any olive oil or butter on the pasta.
There are three other rules for the diet. If the dieter
eats any kind of fruit it must be eaten alone, not with
any other food type, and it should be eaten on an
empty stomach. If a dieter is going to eat a meal or
snack of the protein/fat category he or she must wait at
least three hours before eating another meal or snack if
that meal or snack is going to be from the carbohydrate
category. The dieter is not allowed to skip meals
while on this diet.
The Suzanne Somers weight loss plan allows all
variety of fats to be eaten during the diet. This includes
foods such as cream cheese, butter, and sour cream
that may not usually be thought of as diet foods. Meat
products of all varieties are also allowed. Most fruits
are allowed, although not bananas, because they are
high in carbohydrates. Many vegetables are allowed,
although not carbohydrate heavy vegetables such as
corn, beets, or squash. The diet plan has three stages,
which are called Level 1, Almost Level 1, and Level 2.
Level 1
Level 1 is for dieters who are just beginning the
diet. This is the most strict period of the diet. During
this stage no alcohol is allowed, nor are foods such as
avocados, nuts, olives, or soy.
Almost Level 1
Almost level 1
is for dieters who have been following
Suzanne Somers diet for some time. When the
dieter is beginning to see significant results he or she
can move to this level. The idea behind this level is that
these dieters can eat some foods or combinations of
foods that are not optimal on a very occasional basis
without compromising their weight loss goals.
Level 2
This is the level for dieters who have reached their
goal weight and are looking to maintain this weight.
This maintenance phase allows some foods in moderation
that were forbidden during the early phases of
the diet. The allowed foods now include alcohol and
soy. Also during this phase the dieter can sometimes
make combinations of foods forbidden during other
phases, such as some carbohydrates with fats. Eating
in a way not allowed by the other phases of the plan is
intended to be done only in moderation and only on an
occasional basis.
Suzanne Somers Weight Loss Plan is a plan that
focuses almost exclusively on food, with only a minor
focus on exercise and stress reduction techniques.
There are also some encouraging words from Somers
herself. She has produced many different cookbooks
that are designed for use while on the diet and tell the
dieter which level of the diet each recipe is appropriate
for.
Because it can often be difficult for busy dieters to
find the time to cook meals that are fresh, good tasting,
and follow the diet’s recommendations, Suzanne
Somers also offers a wide variety of convenience products
specifically designed to be used while on her diet.
These include supplements, shakes, and bars. She also
offers many prepackaged foods such as steaks, apple chips, and sauces. For all of her products she provides
information on what level of the diet they are appropriate
for and what category they fall under.
