There are a number of foods which are either restricted or banned on the Pritikin diet:

Restricted Foods

• Alcohol (women – 4 drinks and men – 7 drinks, per week maximum)
• Artificial sweeteners
• Caffeinated beverages (limit to one per day maximum)
• Salt and salty condiments
• Sugar
• Vegetable oils – any (limit to 2-3tsp per day)

Banned Foods

• Eggs - yolks are not permitted, only the whites
• Dairy - full fat butter, cheese, cream cheese, margarine, milk
• Deli meat – any meat cuts from the deli (as they are highly processed and full of artificial additives)
• Fats - animal fat, cocoa butter, coconut, coconut oil, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, lard, palm kernel oil, shortening
• Fatty foods – deep fried foods, fried foods, high fat meats
• Organ meats – heart, kidney, liver, tripe
• Processed foods – chips, packaged foods, snacks
• Sauces - barbeque sauce, high-fat cheese or cream sauces, ketchup, mayonnaise, tomato sauce
• Sweets - chocolate, non dairy whipped toppings, rich desserts and pastries

Note: The foods above should be avoided for the most part (except the dairy) as they do not provide any nutritional benefits and serve only to increase ill health