Life Without Bread Diet Plan

The Life Without Bread diet plan is based on the clinical experience of Dr Lutz, an Austrian physician who claims to have helped thousands of patients to lose weight and achieve health by following low carbohydrate diet plans.

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Type - Low Carb Diets

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?...

Life Without Bread is based on eating a low carbohydrate, high fat, high protein diet. The authors claim that this was what humans ate during evolution, and it is what we are suited to. Today’s typical high carb, low fat diet, they claim, is alien to our species and so we should consider diets that really work based on our evolution.


The authors also describe the benefits of low carb diets in relation to disorders such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, and cancer. In the section on cardiovascular disease, they claim that saturated fats and cholesterol from animal foods do not contribute to cardiovascular disease and argue that current nutritional advice on this topic is flawed.

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The Diet Plan...

The Life Without Bread Diet Plan restricts carbohydrates, of which no more than 72g (or 6 bread units, each containing 12g of carbohydrate) per day should be consumed (hence the name -Life Without Bread diet plan.) Examples of what one bread unit consists of include:


• Half a cup of dry pasta
• One slice of bread
• Half a grapefruit
• 225ml (8floz) milk or yogurt
• 225ml (8floz) beer


Foods restricted in the diet include most that contain carbohydrates (breads, pastries, cereals and grains, pastas, potatoes) as well as sweet fruits, dried fruits, and sweetened food of any kind (yogurt, drinks, desserts or sweets).


You can eat all the protein foods, cheese, non-starchy vegetables, and healthy fats you want from a variety of plant and animal sources, along with moderate amounts of nuts, yogurt, and whole milk. As well as other diet tips, the Life Without Bread Diet Plan suggests that protein foods (meat, poultry and fish) are fried, baked, roasted, grilled, or steamed.


Unlike other diet plans, this diet does not provide any specific menu plans but does explain how to work the low carb eating plan into meals and snacks. A table listing grams of carbohydrates for a variety of items allows you to plan full menus containing a wide variety of foods.

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Is it good for you?...

The Life Without Bread Diet Plan is a moderately low carbohydrate, rather than an extremely low carbohydrate diet. By limiting carbs to less than 72g per day, you can follow this programme without severe restriction on healthy foods such as fruits and dairy products, both of which are permitted in limited amounts.


Although this diet is entitled Life Without Bread, meal planning is based on ‘bread units’, each of which contain 12g of carbohydrates. So, this diet is not really about eliminating carbs or bread but limiting intake and finding alternatives to form the basis of your meals. The diet promotes healthy weight loss because you are reducing calories but still consuming a variety of carbs.


However, compared to some other diet plans, the book is complicated and technical which may be difficult for you to follow every day.


The authors of Life Without Bread diet plan claim that the low carb diets can help or cure diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer. They do not accept that saturated fat contributes to increasing blood cholesterol or LDL levels. In fact, they urge the consumption of foods high in saturated fat, such as cheese, cream cheese, soured cream and whole milk. As there is a huge amount of evidence that limiting saturated fat is important for the prevention of these chronic diseases, this is a major flaw in the diet.

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Example Day...

Breakfast
• Scrambled eggs with wholemeal bread (no spread)
• Glass of orange juice

Lunch
• Grilled chicken breast with boiled fresh or frozen peas
• Large green salad with olive oil and vinegar dressing

Dinner
• Grilled tuna steak
• Steamed green beans and steamed brown rice

Snacks
• Plain whole milk yogurt
• Nuts
• Piece of cheese
• Apple

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