Bernstein Diet

Dr. Stanley Bernstein is a Canadian physician who specializes in medically-supervised weight loss programs. Dr Bernstein’s weight loss practice began in 1974 – and has now grown to over 60 clinics in Canada.

Dr. Bernstein’s program is clinic-based only and there are currently only clinics in Canada.

What is the Bernstein Diet?

The Bernstein Diet aims to lose 4-5 pounds per week and involves 3 visits to the clinic each week during the program.

The Bernstein diet program is a combination of low calorie diet (regular grocery store foods), behavior modification, education and vitamin and mineral supplements. The daily calorie intake could be anywhere between
800 — 1350 calories per day – it is a case-by-case situation.

The diet claims that only fat tissue is lost during this rapid weight loss phase, and all other tissue (muscle, electrolytes, fluid) is retained. One of the major features of the diet is the vitamin and mineral supplementation – this is achieved by vitamin injections.

B Vitamins

Dr. Bernstein believes that adequate B vitamin levels are necessary for health and weight loss. Patients are evaluated and some are given @B vitamin complex@ injections when deemed appropriate.

Dr. Bernstein has a number of phases on the diet –

1. Weight Loss Phase: Dieters should lose 20 pounds a month and they guarantee at least 10 pounds a month will be shed.
2. A Maintenance Phase: Reintroduces foods and helps prevent weight rebound.
3. The “Tune-up” Diet: For small amounts of weight loss.

Foods on the Bernstein Diet

Here is a sample of the kind of foods found on the Doctor Bernstein Diet.

Protein veal cutlet chicken livers small steak chicken breasts shrimp tuna white fish	Fruit and Vegetables celery mushrooms tomatoes lettuce bean sprouts cabbage tomato sauce apples lemons oranges green, orange, red and yellow peppers
Beverages and Miscellaneous liquid Sweetener Hermasetas/Equal Jello Light herbal tea decaffeinated coffee club soda	Spices and Seasonings bay leaves dried herbs caraway seeds soya sauce
Bread Substitutes triscuits melba toast	Supplements B 12 B 6

The Bernstein diet also has a number of other foods allowed.

Exercise

The Bernstein Diet doesn’t have an established exercise routine or program. Although some clients are given supervised exercise regimens, many of their clients are too obese to exercise.

Overall, this diet believes that exercise is not necessary in order to lose weight, but instead, focuses on calorie restriction.

Cost and Expenses

The costs of the program are a bit vague, but some have reported spending over $1000.00 on the program. The costs will likely depend on how much weight loss is required and the amount of time spent at the clinics.

The Dr. Bernstein Diet also has a range of snacks and supplements that the dieter is encouraged to purchase.

See Also: DrBdiet – Official site for more details

Pros

• Many have been successful on the program
• Medically supervised
• Counseling and support provided

Cons

• Expensive
• Exercise isn’t required.
• B12 and B6 injections may not be necessary for everyone.
• Clinic visits are necessary.

Medically Supervised But Expensive

The Bernstein Diet is a low calorie diet and is medically supervised, which makes it much safer than similar diets that are not.

However, because of the professional services received as well as the B Vitamin injections, the Bernstein Diet is one of the most expensive diet programs around.