Suzanne Somers Diet

suzanne-somers-diet

The Suzanne Somers Diet or Somersizing is the creation of television celebrity Suzanne Somers who has outlined her approach to dieting in a series of books.

The Somersize Diet is basically a reduced carbohydrate diet with an additional emphasis on food combining.

At 66 years old and counting Suzanne still looks amazing, which she attributes to her way of eating and lifestyle.

She has become quite the self-taught health guru over the years and besides her many books on weight loss, she also focuses on hormone replacement, anti-aging, and even curing cancer.

Here are her most popular books.

Suzanne’s Book Problem It Addresses
Eat Great Lose Weight Weight loss through food combining, the original Somersize plan.
Get Skinny Weight loss
Eat Cheat Weight loss
Fast & Easy Weight loss
The Sexy Years Bioidentical hormone replacement
Slim and Sexy Forever Hormones and weight loss
Ageless Anti-aging and bioidentical hormones
Breakthrough Overall wellness
Knockout Curing and Preventing Cancer
Sexy Forever Weight loss for women over 40
Bombshell Anti-aging
I’m Too Young For This Hormone replacement for perimenopause

Suzanne Somers Diet Basics

As far as weight loss is concerned, there are two phases to the Somersize Diet.

Funky Foods

In phase one, which is focused on weight loss, dieters are advised to eliminate what Somers refers to as “funky foods”.

“Funky foods” include sugar, white flour, honey, maple syrup, carrot, avocado, banana, sweet potatoes and more which are outlined in her books. Nuts, whole milk and whole yogurt are also to be avoided.

Many of the foods to be eliminated are high glycemic index and the idea is that by avoiding these foods the blood glucose levels will remain more stable which allows the body to burn fat more easily.

In addition, food combining principles are incorporated into the diet plan. Foods are divided into four food groups which are proteins/fats, carbohydrates, vegetables and fruit.

The rules for combining these foods are as follows:

  • Always eat fruit alone and on an empty stomach.
  • Combine vegetables with fats and proteins (no carbohydrates).
  • Combine carbohydrates with vegetables (no fats).
  • Wait 3 hours between meals of different combinations.

Dieters are also advised to consume frequent small meals and to eat at least three meals per day with no precise guidelines provided for serving sizes.

Caffeine and alcohol are to be avoided in phase one.

Maintenance 

Phase two of the diet is aimed at maintaining weight loss.

Dieters are allowed to include red wine and chocolate in the diet in moderation and more leniency is allowed regarding food combining. Dieters are allowed to deviate from perfect food combining occasionally such as by adding some olive oil or cheese to a pasta dish.

Sample Somersize Meal Plan

Phase 1
Breakfast
Fruit Salad
Herb Tea
Lunch
Grilled salmon
Large green salad
Snack
Piece of string cheese
Dinner
Steak with mushroom cream sauce
Steamed broccoli
Phase 2
Breakfast
Herb fried eggs
Spinach and mushrooms
1 cup coffee
Lunch
Caesar salad with grilled chicken
Snack
Strawberries with nonfat yogurt
Dinner
Whole-wheat pasta with pesto primavera
Green salad
Dessert
Crème brulee

More healthy recipes can be found here.

No Gym Required

The Somersize Diet downplays the importance of exercise for weight loss stating the she personally never goes to the gym.

However she does advocate aerobic exercises three times a week and is known for her home fitness equipment such as the @thigh master@.

Look here for other exercises that can be down at home.

Costs and Expenses

The Suzanne Somers Diet  is found in at least four books related to her Somersizing Diet Plan. The fourth and most updated book is called Fast and Easy and retails at $24.95.

Available from Amazon →

Suzanne Somers also has an online weight loss plan designed for woman over 40.

Pros

  • No calorie counting or portion control.
  • Good variety of foods will reduce risk of dietary boredom.
  • Emphasizes fruit and vegetables.
  • Includes high quality protein for muscle maintenance and metabolism.
  • Many dieters report improvement of gastrointestinal problems and better digestion.
  • Somersize Diet offers online community with free access.

Cons

  • Highly restrictive in terms of food selection and meal timing.
  • Lack of guidance regarding meal planning.
  • Lack of scientific evidence to support the idea of food combining for weight loss.
  • Eliminates many highly nutritious foods such as nuts, yogurt, banana, carrot, pumpkin, sweet potato and avocado.
  • Calcium intake may possibly become inadequate.
  • Does not adequately address the importance of exercise as well as psychosocial factors involved in weight management.
  • Dieters may experience rebound weight gain when they go back to eating higher carbohydrate foods.

A Low GI Diet

The Suzanne Somers Diet in regard to eliminating foods with a high glycemic index does have some foundation, however her approach is overly simplistic, and in failing to consider the effect of the entire meal on glycemic load, many potentially nutritious foods are eliminated from the diet.

It is highly possible that dieters will have success with weight loss on the Suzanne Somers diet.  This is because limiting amounts of different foods in a meal can reduce the tendency to overeat.

Although there is no scientific research to support the role of food combining for weight loss, many dieters have reported success with the Somersize Diet and in particular an additional benefit with improvement of digestive function.

 By Mizpah Matus B.Hlth.Sc(Hons)
    References:
  • Schierbeck, L. L., Rejnmark, L., Tofteng, C. L., Stilgren, L., Eiken, P., Mosekilde, L., … & Jensen, J. E. B. (2012). Effect of hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular events in recently postmenopausal women: randomised trial. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 345. link
  • Sood, R., Shuster, L., Smith, R., Vincent, A., & Jatoi, A. (2011). Counseling postmenopausal women about bioidentical hormones: Ten discussion points for practicing physicians. The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 24(2), 202-210. link
  • McBane, S. E., Borgelt, L. M., Barnes, K. N., Westberg, S. M., Lodise, N. M., & Stassinos, M. (2014). Use of Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy in Menopausal Women: An Opinion Statement of the Women’s Health Practice and Research Network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy, 34(4), 410-423. link

56 Comments or Reviews

Comments now closed
  1. Marilyn

    Just joined and got the book. It will take me awhile to change the way I eat. Love coffee and it’s part of my life. What kind of cream should I use……..5% or 10% .

  2. Helene

    I love Somersize! When I first went on it a few years way back, hahaha! I lost 60#. So now I’m back on it of course I’m just a bit older but I’m determined to loose this weight!

  3. Alice Romero

    I’m in level 1 and wondering if pumpkin seeds or flower seeds are allowed to eat?

  4. PattiH

    It DOES work! My husband and I have both lost weight on this and are never hungry. He has lost 60 lbs and I have lost 40 lbs within 6 months timeframe.

  5. JamesF

    Another comment

  6. Terri Sulak

    I have started following the Suzanne Somers diet plan. I am mostly doing it to support my daughter and to train my body to work correctly and heal my metabolism. I am at a normal weight and can only afford to lose a few pounds. How long do I need to stay on level one to “reset’ or train my body?

  7. sammy

    Hey i read Suzanne book and i am eager to start this program and eating healthy. However i am just a bit confused about the dairy products. i understand you can have regular cheese for a protein meal but can i have LOWFAT cheese as well or is that a no no. Also under the Funky Foods it says you cant have low fat milk or whole milk is that lowfat just regarding milk or all dairy products. if someone can please help me with this id greatly appreciate it. And great job to those that already lost weight. 🙂

    • Jack Hunter

      Level One use non-fat milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, – all non-fat. No sugar ever!

  8. Robyn Young

    I LOVE Somersizing. I lost 27lbs. and have maintained this weight for over a year. It really does work and it is so simple. I loved that I could eat full fat dressings on my salad. It does take about 2 weeks to get used to it, but after 2 weeks the pounds start melting away. I never feel hungry, because you can eat until you are full. Just try it and see!!

  9. PFC MOM

    I did this plan years ago and was VERY successful. I am mad at my husband who told me ‘enough’ with my weight loss and so I went back to my old eating habits and gained the weight back over the last 7 years. I do crave a baked potato or a slice of pizza from time to time – I substitute with chicken wings! I am back on the trail and have 3 “Somersize” buddies that keep me motivated. Can’t wait to see my results again.

  10. Caroline

    Week 1 weigh in – Down 10.2 lbs! This program is the absolute BEST. It is so easy and it really works!

  11. Stephany

    I did this diet a few years back and YES it does work…it takes about 2 weeks to get used to it…but the idea is simple and I found that I was always satisfied because you CAN have pasta..you CAN have chicken with the skin on…You have to think of this a whole lifestyle change…after coming off this diet I lost a total of 16 lbs., which took me about 4 months but I did feel great and had energy. The only reason I gained some back is because I didn’t keep control of the “rules”..but I think this is a great way to stay healthy!! Goodluck!!

  12. De

    The question about can we use agave and quino is something I would also like to know?can anyone answer that?

  13. Alex

    Abbie: rum & diet coke have 0 carbs……but don’t over do it because the alcohol will open up ur appetite and u may eat something u may regret the next day.

    • ted

      @ alex, it might not be considered “carbs” per say but 35ml of dark rum has 78 calories…. 🙂

  14. Lynn

    has anyone heard of agave and is it allowed to be use with this diet and can you also use quinoa instead of pasta? thanks!

    • ted

      Those substitutions sound fine and the quinoa would be far better to use than pasta.

  15. hattie

    this diet actually does work. if you can keep motivated and keep on track it absolutely works. i have diabetes now though and wonder if i re-start the suzanne somers diet if it will work the same, and also if i can handle eating the carbo meals…?

  16. Sarah

    I just started it last week and LOVE it! I was terrified that there was no way I could be so satisfied, not hungry, and NOT gain weight. It is wonderful!

  17. Abbie

    Well I am on day 3 now and I feel great. I am having a bit of either a suger or caffine withdrawl,BUT I hear that will go away in about 2 weeks. And I know I can handle it.I have been reading alot of other sucsess stories on this,which is a great motivator. I have been over weight all my life and its time for a chage. No matter what I just have to stick with this. My ONLY problem is that fact that she says you may not have any alchohol on level one. and that just kills me because honestly i love to go out every few weeks and get a little drunk with my friends..are there any types of HARD A that dont have sugar in it?

  18. Abbie

    I am VERY exited to start! My grandmother did it about 3 years ago,and lost 118lbs in just a little over a year!

  19. JoAnne

    My husband and I did this several years ago, and it does work! We have recently started back on it. Truly, it is something you can live with and do everyday for the rest of your life. And yes, you are NEVER HUNGRY! You are reaching and craving for things that are bad for you.
    I absolutely love Suzanne Somers

  20. Barbara

    I lost 50 pounds in four months and when I say I was NEVER hungry, I mean it! Lots of good food. Follow food combining rules and you will do well. Enjoy!

  21. Arbon

    Hey guys! So I am so excited. Went to my local library and checked out her books. I have been on it for 2wks and have lost 5lbs. My goal is 10. Her recipes are amazing. I feel like im cheating when I eat sometimes lol. I highly recommend this diet to ANYONE!

    Good luck 🙂

  22. Mary

    I need to lose some weight.. around 15 pounds. I want to feel better and have more energy! I am thinking about trying this… I feel as though many people have had success…

    Should I buy the books? Or just get the info online? I mean, do you feel as if the books are wroth it?

  23. Kathy

    I have to say that once you get used to this way of eating… (and even cheating a little)It works and makes alot of sense if you read Suzanne’s book. There are other books out there about food combinations and they say alot of the same things. It has worked before and is working again!

  24. Barbara

    I love this way of eating. I did this 10 years ago, lost 60 pounds and never looked back. I giggle that doctors claim that this does not work, when in fact it does.
    My best friend started a medical diet surpervised by doctors was on 500 caloroes a day for the first weeek and lost 10 pounds.. Wow if I ate 500 calories a day then I would lose more weight to… so this is why doctors do not like this way of eating because it will take a way from their money on these surervised diets..

    As far as the constipation- any high protein diet causes this even the medically induced.. so what you need to do is eat the carbs 1st thing in morning and do protein after that.. Any person who just eats protein and no carbs at all will suffer from constipation that is a medical fact. My doctor told me that.
    I wish everyone great success in this and keep at it. It does work.. While is it smart to not exercise the first few weeks – so that your body gets adjusted to the new way of life…

  25. Charlette

    I thank God that susanne made this plan up. It is not a “diet” it is a life style change. Not only have I lost 8 pounds in the last 2 weeks, but I do not feel hungry, I have more energy, and my acid reflex is gone. The food options are endless. I have lost a total of 46 pounds. I am not turning back. I will follow this for the rest of my life. I wish everyone else luck.

  26. Nikolina

    I followed this diet and lost weight easily–eating the same amount of calories as before I went on it. This is not a restricted calorie diet. When “the melt” that she talks about in her books happened, it was like something magical. It was like a week long transformation of my body. I got compliments from everyone I knew–including my grown son who came home on leave from the military. After seeing me, he started right on the diet. When I saw him again a few months later, he had lost 20 pounds and all his stomach weight. He looked terrific!

  27. John

    As a physician, this diet makes absolutely no sense from a scientific stand point. Suzanne Somers states not to eat carbohydrates and proteins together because “their enzymes cancel each other out”. Not only is this not true but I doubt she knows what an enzyme is. She also suggests not to drink water with meals because it dilutes the “digestive juices”. This is again false. The only reason some people claim this diet works is the same reason every diet works – they decrease their caloric intake. If you decrease your caloric intake 300-500 calories/day and exercise you will consistently lose around 1 lb/week. You should always talk with your physician about diets, not rely on celebrities with absolutely no credentials or knowledge of the subject.

    • liz

      dear john yess your digestive enzymes are diluted when you drink water with food are you kidding lol you a doc ??? and im not insulting you but to each its own i know for sure thediet works cause i had lost 120 pds with thisdiet and youre never hungry ever lol and nobodys paying me tosay it lol

  28. Barbara

    I started this 10 yrs ago. It does work and like any diet, once you start eating incorrectly the weight comes back on. You are only training yourself to eat in a healthy manner. I never felt hungry on this diet. I lost over 20 pounds in four months.

  29. Marisela

    I am going to start this diet but no sure if there is any frozen food brand that helps when in a hurry to take to work lunch.

  30. B

    I love the people who comment this is a diet to avoid because they tried it one week and had problems. Please. I was on this for 9 months, lost over 40 lbs and felt great. But as other people have indicated, when you go back to the junk food you will gain the weight back. I saw Chris Berman on TV yesterday. After losing all that weight(not Somersizing though) he has gained it all back. Sigh.

  31. Maria

    Just wondering if this diet is okay while breastfeeding.
    My friend was on this diet absolutely loved it! She lost 65 lbs in 5 months.Looking forward to a new adventure

  32. kathy

    I love the diet. You don’t ever feel hungry. This is not the first time i have went on the diet. When you stop watching what you eat anytime you will gain weight. It doesn’t feel like you are on a diet. You feel really great and have lots of energy. Thank you for making us understand how food works.

  33. mj

    I started this plan 5 days ago and have lost 9 lbs. WOW! I do have to say that I had really bad headaches the first 3 days now they are mild. I cant wait to see what happens after 30 days….. 🙂

  34. Maria

    esta dieta es de lo mejor pero alguien sabe cuanto pierde uno en un mes?? por ejemplo mi tia la hizo y perdio 18 kilos en dos meses eso hace como 8 años!!

  35. jo

    My sister and I have started the suzanne somers diet. Our problem is trying to get used to what foods go with what. Like our main problem is with carbs. Like finding a sugar free pasta sauce but forgetting to check the fat. OH My!!!! Hopefully we will get this straight. If anyone has any ideas to help. Please feel free. Thanks.

  36. sherrie

    I did this diet w/my daughter & some gals at work. We all did great on it lost our weight & felt great. It’s super easy to follow, & easy to take on the road. I never felt better then when I was on this diet. Unfortunatly I gained my weight back no excuses just lazy. Now my daughter & I are going back on it January 1, 2010 & hope to hit close to our goal by our birthdays in June.

  37. Claudia

    This diet is amazing. Great food, no hunger, quick weight loss. The first few days there are cravings for sweets and white carbs, but just grab some cheese, veggie, or hardboiled egg and you are good to go. I highly recommend this way of eating for your whole life. I love it. Thanks Suzanne.

  38. MARTY SMILEY

    DID YOU SAY IN YOUR “KNOCKOUT” BOOK THAT OLIVE OIL CAN BE OXIDIZED UNLESS SOMETHING IS ADDED, AND I CAN’T FIND IT AGAIN IN THE BOOK. WAS THAT SOMETHING ‘TUMERIC?

  39. Katrinai

    I started somersizing and lost 20 lbs in a month month in a half. I never felt better. I started exersizing for the first time in years. I don’t understand all the flax, you loose weight and feel great whats wrong with that

  40. jennifer

    I have been a faithful follower of somesrsizing for over ten years…I lost over 50 lbs. in three months and have kept it off for many years, only recently I have gained forty pounds. still while following the eating plans.I am now 46 years old,whats the problem? Somersizing is a part of my life but it is very discuriging to be eating this way for so long with great results…then to gain no matter how closely I stick to level one meals…I am on bio-identical hormones…and still no differance…HELP.

  41. Lea

    This is a God send diet it really does work…. You have to go beyond the first 2 or 3 weeks, after that you feel great. But those first two weeks are ROUGH!!! Your body is having withdrawls of all the toxins and refined sugar that “YOU” have subjected it to. Headaches, irritability, bowel changes,and fatigue are all symptons of these withdrawls. Wow when you get past all that…. you feel so much better, some weeks you’ll drop the weight, other weeks you may not lose as much weight but you’ll lose several inches!!!!
    I LOVE IT what a confidence builder!!!!

  42. Alex

    In my opinion this is really the best low-carb diet ever. Although you can still have healthy carbs (whole grains, & fruits, etc), like Suzanne says, the more you restrict your carbs the more you lose. Also, remember to eat fruits on an empty stomach. She also provides great recipes for meats and yummy gravies. I lost 25 lbs on this diet a few yrs ago. Stopped it and of course gaine it back but if you stick to eat and quit the sugar & junk and learn to food-combine, you will lose weight!

  43. Debbie

    trying this…hope it works

  44. Jenny B

    I love this diet! I like it because I’m not starving myself trying to lose weight. I garauntee that if you do this diet along with working out ( which I think you should even if your just walking) you will see results! my husband was skeptical but he lost 45lbs since January, and looks amazing. BUT YOU MUST COMMIT>>>DON”T CHEAT YOURSELF!

  45. Meg

    I lost 15 lbs in two weeks on this diet a few years ago–it works, but if you go back to daily desserts, potatoes, & white flour, you’ll gain it all back. I just went back on the diet & look forward to good results!

  46. K

    Please be careful. This is NO STAR in my humble opinion. I did this diet for the first week and I do NOT recommend it. I experienced severe constipation, slurred words on frequent occassions (for just a week!), and noticeable memory loss as the diet progressed. Well-balanced meals (not “diets”..yuck who likes that word!) 🙂 with healthy foods in moderation and good cardio exercise regularly (ab exercises included) is what I have and will continue to do. I’m sorry it’s always said..it sounds so simple to do, but it works for me.

  47. Cheryl Taylor

    I lost over 100lbs on the Somersizing Plan! It really works! You have to be patient at first but then the weight does fall off! Amazing! I never felt hungry ever. The reason there are no portion sizes anywhere is because there aren’t any. You eat until you are full.

  48. Kim

    I lost 25 pounds on this diet 4 years ago and have kept off the weight. Turns out this way of eating comes very easy to me. My typical supper is a meat (chicken, steak, fish, etc.) a hot vegetable (green beans, asparagus, broccoli, etc.) and a green salad with lots of Parmasan cheese! I continue using the same principles in my meal planning today, although now I can have the occasional potato, crusty bread, or sinful dessert if I want. I made a commitment to myself that if I gain 5 pounds I must lose it immediately so it doesn’t turn into 25, and I’ve done it by going back to my level 1 program and after 2 weeks I’m back to my target weight. I would highly recommend this diet (and have)!

  49. Maria Coluccio

    I am going to try this diet have done many diets
    Will see if this works for me
    Thanks

  50. Kiera

    I did this plan several years ago and lost weight VERY easily. It seems it was somewhere around 15 pounds over about 5 weeks…. I think a bit of that was “water-weight” because of the no caffeine rule for phase one, but I have had three children since that time and am returning to this diet because I know it works for me! I LOVE that you can eat 6 times a day (if spaced properly and follow the guidelines) and LOOSE weight!? And it doesn’t keep me from my love: bread!
    Follow the rules, don’t break them and you won’t be disappointed!
    I’m back for more, Suzanne!!

  51. JillI

    I have done the plan several times. If you follow it with no cheats, you do lose weight pretty easily. As long as you’re willing to live without sugar and white bread, it’s OK. You can have fruit and vegetables and any meat. All she asks you to eliminate is the white stuff. I think it’s a good plan.