The Stillman diet is a
high-protein,
low-carbohydrate diet
Low-carbohydrate diets restrict carbohydrate consumption relative to the average diet (nutrition), diet. Foods high in carbohydrates (e.g., sugar, bread, pasta) are limited, and replaced with foods containing a higher percentage of fat and pro ...
devised in 1967 by physician Irwin Maxwell Stillman (1896–1975). It focuses mostly on the complete avoidance of both fats and carbohydrates, and requires at least eight glasses of water to be consumed every day. The diet is very low in fiber, vitamins and minerals, and cuts out bread, fruit, sugar, and alcohol completely.
It was popularized in the late 60's with the publication of Stillman and
Samm Sinclair Baker
Samm Sinclair Baker (born in Paterson, New Jersey, July 29, 1909 – March 5, 1997) was the author/co-author of many how-to and self-help books, most notably '' The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet'' which he co-authored with Dr. Herman Tarnow ...
's book, ''The Doctor's Quick Weight Loss Diet'', although it was criticized by some physicians who believed that the diet was unbalanced and could negatively affect users.
Overview
Stillman and Samm Sinclair Baker co-authored the book ''The Doctor's Quick Weight Loss Diet'' that first advertised the Stillman Diet in 1967. The animal based high-protein diet includes lean beef, veal, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs and non-fat cottage cheese. Spices, tabasco sauce, herbs, salt, and pepper are also allowed. Condiments, butter, dressings and any kind of fat or oil are not permitted. Tea, coffee, and non-caloric soft drinks can be consumed, but only in addition to the 8 daily glasses of water required. It's also recommended that dieters eat 6 small meals per day instead of 3 large ones.
The diet is a carbohydrate-restricted diet, similar to that of Dr. Robert Atkins',
Atkins Diet
The Atkins diet is a low-carbohydrate fad diet devised by Robert Atkins in the 1970s, marketed with claims that carbohydrate restriction is crucial to weight loss and that the diet offered "a high calorie way to stay thin forever".
The diet be ...
(although Atkins' diet allows significant fat consumption).
Karen Carpenter
Karen Carpenter
Karen Anne Carpenter (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) was an American musician who was the lead vocalist and early drummer of the highly successful duo the Carpenters, formed with her older brother Richard Carpenter (musician), Richard. Wi ...
began using the diet in her teens. Karen was 5'4" and 145 pounds when she went on the Stillman Diet in 1967. In 1983, she died of complications related to
anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa (AN), often referred to simply as anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by Calorie restriction, food restriction, body image disturbance, fear of gaining weight, and an overpowering desire to be thin.
Individuals wit ...
.
Reception
The Stillman diet has been criticized by medical experts and
nutritionist A nutritionist is a person who advises others on matters of food and Human nutrition, nutrition and their impacts on health. Some people specialize in particular areas, such as sports nutrition, public health, or animal nutrition, among other disci ...
s as a
fad diet
A fad diet is a diet that is popular, generally only for a short time, similar to fads in fashion, without being a standard scientific dietary recommendation, and often making unreasonable claims for fast weight loss or health improvements; ...
.
[Kuske, Terrence T. ''Quackery and Fad Diets''. In Elaine B. Feldman. (1983). ''Nutrition in the Middle and Later Years''. John Wright & Sons. p. 297. ]"Health Experts Advise Against High-Protein Diets"
WebMD
WebMD is an American corporation which publishes online news and information about human health and well-being. The WebMD website also includes information about drugs and is an important healthcare information website and the most popular cons ...
. Retrieved November 22, 2018. Physician Terrence T. Kuske wrote regarding the Stillman diet:
It induces a degree of diuresis because of the low carbohydrate, but is a relatively unpalatable diet. Adherence to the diet induces fatigue, nausea and lassitude or exhaustion. Long-term use of this diet, because of its composition, may induce vitamin deficiency. Studies of individuals following the Stillman Diet have demonstrated quite conclusively that it raises the serum cholesterol, with its attendant risks.
See also
* List of diets
An individual's Diet (nutrition), diet is the sum of food and drink that one habitually consumes. Dieting is the practice of attempting to achieve or maintain a certain weight through diet. People's dietary choices are often affected by a variet ...
* Scarsdale diet
References
Further reading
*
{{Fad diets
Low-carbohydrate diets
Fad diets
High-protein diets