The first Pritikin diet was created by Nathan Pritikin in 1979 as a way to reduce the risk of heart disease and to help diabetics regulate their blood sugar levels without having to take insulin. Weight loss was an added bonus to the diet. The initial Pritikin diet was a low fat, largely vegetable-based diet, full of vegetables, fruit and whole grains. Fat in this diet only accounts for about 10% of the daily energy intake.

In 1991, a revised Pritikin diet – ‘The Pritikin Weight Loss Breakthrough’ – was published by Nathan’s son Robert. This revised diet concentrates more on foods that have more nutrients and less calories, which can be eaten to sate hunger and initiate weight loss. The revised diet still has very little animal protein, eggs and is high in carbohydrate foods (fruit, vegetables, whole grains).

The premises of the new Pritikin diet are:

• Eat at least five servings of unrefined complex carbohydrates
• Limit refined grains to less than 2 servings a day
• Choose at least four servings of raw or cooked vegetables
• Eat at least three servings of raw fruits
• Have two calcium-rich foods each day
• Vegetarians – eat legumes (beans, peas, lentils, soy, tofu)
• Eat foods high in fibre (fibre-dense foods)
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day
• Eat 3 main meals and 2 snacks every day
• Stress-reduction and meditation recommended each day
• Daily exercise is strongly recommended (at least 30 minutes)
• Portion size is not limited