The Body Code Diet Plan

The foundation of the Body Code, a metabolic typing diet is separating everyone into two different genetic types and then tailoring a diet and exercise plan to fit each of these types. The Body Code diet plan focuses on anthropological history to help further define the genetic types.

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Type - Metabolic Typing

Are special products required? - No

Is eating out possible? - Yes

Is the plan family friendly? - Yes

Do you have to buy a book? - Yes

Is the diet easy to maintain? – No

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So how does it work?...

The basic premise behind the Body Code is the idea that not every diet is suitable for every person. It’s a popular and common-sense idea that appeals to people’s desire for “customized” products – the question is whether or not this classification system is actually useful.


The authors claim that all human bodies can be classified as either “strong” or “sleek.” Strong types are characterized by having a more solid, muscular frame – they build muscle easily but do not burn fat so easily. Sleek types are defined as being less muscular, with smaller frames and often lower body weights.


These two types each have two subtypes which help to further personalize the plans in the Body Code diet plan.


The four subtypes are “warriors,” “nurturers,” “communicators,” and “visionaries.”


Visionaries and communicators are the two Sleek types, while warriors and nurturers are the Strong types.


Physical attributes decide which subtype a person belongs in. For example, the nurturer is said to be pear-shaped and curvy compared to the more stocky warriors, and the communicators are more long-limbed than the smaller and thinner visionaries.


This classification is heavily based on the anthropological history and evolution of the human race.


The authors of the Body Code claim that a specific gland’s function is what puts you into one of the four subtypes. Its functioning determines how your body processes food and its metabolism.


The authors go on to say that by knowing how this gland functions (by knowing your specific type), you can tailor a diet to better suit the specific way your body digests and uses food energy.


The Body Code diet plan can be said to be holistic because it looks at each person as a whole first, and then from there goes on to describe a complete wellness plan, rather than compartmentalizing and focusing only on diet or only on exercise.


This plan tries to address the mind-body-spirit connection and describe an entire lifestyle for better health.

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The Diet Plan...

Each of the four sub-types of the Body Code, based on two main genetic types, has its own personalized diet plan.


In general, Strong types are said to need a more vegetarian, low-protein diet and a high amount of physical activity. Sleek types generally need more protein and less physical activity.


• Warrior-type people are said to be healthiest on a diet based on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Protein and animal-based foods are said to over-stimulate the adrenal gland of Warriors which can result in sluggishness and depression. Red meats in particular should be avoided, along with saturated or hydrogenated fats, and nuts (if weight loss is desired). Warriors are allowed alcohol and encouraged to eat certain herbs and teas that can help to control the appetite and put the body back in balance.


• Nurturers also need a plant-based diet, like the related Warrior. Meats should be controlled, also like the Warrior. Fruits and vegetables are more beneficial to the Nurturer, along with soya and linseeds.


• Communicators should eat a diet that is high in monounsaturated fats, proteins, and of course vegetables, and should limit carbohydrates. This type can eat as much protein as they want as long as the amount of saturated fat is limited.


• Visionaries need a diet much like that of the Communicator, but they need to eat more whole grains and cooked vegetables. Soya and protein are needed in large quantities on this diet.

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Is it good for you?...

The best part about the Body Code diet plan is that it does not suggest that a diet can be a quick fix or a short term commitment, but instead describes an entire lifestyle that an individual should aspire to.


Healthy eating should be a lifelong goal rather than only an effort to lose weight, even though this diet does help with weight loss.


The downside to the Body Code diet however is that its metabolic typing diet system is unproven and even the basic idea behind the authors’ ideas has little evidence to support it.


The authors say that an entire gland is to blame, and each person has a different “dominant” gland, which is a dubious claim.


Since the dominant gland becomes the focus of the four subtypes, whether or not these types are helpful is questionable.


The Body Code diet plan also cuts out entire food groups depending on the sub-type, which is not healthy or balanced, and can result in mineral deficiencies over a long period.

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Example Day (Warrior Type)...

Breakfast
• Whole-grain cereal, cherry sauce, and skimmed milk

Lunch
• DeLayne’s tomatoes and rice

Dinner
• Chicken parmesan with wholemeal pasta tossed in red sauce
• Green salad

Snacks
• Fat-free yogurt
•Vegetable crudités
•Unlimited fruit, vegetables, whole grains, white and pink fish, white poultry, egg whites and substitutes, fat-free dairy, ginger tea, linseeds, and alfalfa

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