Monday, January 28, 2008

Kimkins Boot Camp

In the introduction to Kimkins Diet Plans it NOW says:

"We suggest a minimum of 800 calories per day or per your doctor's recommendation."

I'm just at a loss how to reach these 800 cals using the Plans listed. This is the Boot Camp Diet Plan, "The most popular Kimkins Option!":

KIMKINS BOOT CAMP

The most popular Kimkins Option!
30 minutes of intense daily exercise required

Breakfast
Up to 2 eggs (cooked without fat)
Up to 1/2 cup List 2 veggies
Up to 2 oz lean ham or other lean protein (raw/cured weight)
Unlimited non-calorie beverage

Lunch
Up to 4 oz lean protein (raw weight)
Up to 2 cups mixed greens + Wishbone Spritzer dressing (or caloric equivalent)
Unlimited non-calorie beverage

Dinner

Up to 4 oz lean protein (raw weight)
Up to 2 cups mixed greens + Wishbone Spritzer dressing (or caloric equivalent)
Unlimited non-calorie beverage

Take a complete multivitamin each day plus other desired supplements

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Fitday for:

BF: 2 eggs, 2 oz lean ham, 1/2 cup broccoli
L: 4 oz chicken breast, 2 cups mixed salad greens
D: 4 oz chicken breast, 2 cups mixed salad greens

gives me 465 calories AND I'm supposed to exercise intensely for minimum 30 minutes on top of it.

I didn't even substitute the eggs with "2 egg whites + 1 whole egg" or eggbeaters as recommended:
  • Save fat calories by mixing 2 egg whites + 1 whole egg for scrambles or omelettes
  • Eggbeaters are excellent
So what I am supposed to add to get the calories up to 800? Fat? Surely not, as none is listed and even the less strict "original kimkins diet" says:

"Use minimal fat to make your menu work (careful, calories count!)"

No matter what the "new" guidelines say, this is still a VLDC (Very Low Calorie Diet). VLDC is defined as a diet less than 800 calories and VLDC diets should only be administered by practitioners who are experienced in their use and in the setting of a comprehensive weight loss program with medical follow-up.

And what about vitamins and essential fatty acids (EFA's)? Kimkins says to "take a complete multivitamin" and as most multi have 100% of RDA it brings the Fitday %RDA values up to recommended levels. However, can I trust that my body will absorb these nutrients from a pill? I have not found a good source for an answer. Some articles say only 15% is absorbed but don't reference any research. Surely, while a daily multi doesn't hurt, it would still be a lot better if as much as possible of the RDA comes from food.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent expose' of the REAL Kimkins Diet, as written by Kimmer herself! There is truth in math. The Kimkins Diet AS WRITTEN is nothing more than an anorexia diet.

Way to go, Mariasol, getting the truth out there.

Medusa said...

Obviously Kimmer flunked math in school. Sure looks like a starvation diet to me.

Great post, Mariasol!

My blog: Medusa

Anonymous said...

Great informational post there Marisol
yep, I did the math on the orginal kimkins diet back when the 800 cal minimun was posted and still it is low cal, very low EFAs vit and mineral deficient.

OhYeahBabe said...

Really good post. I just blogged about it here: The Math Doesn't Lie, But Heidi Does!

Thanks!
OYB
My blog: Kimorexia