One of the big components of PEERtrainer's mission is to really challenge status quo thinking and action. We have done this by engaging in a constant conversation with the leading change agents out there, and then presenting these conversations with the PEERtrainer audience.
Dr. Fuhrman was one of the first voices we presented many years ago, and we would note that he is currently the #1 author on the NY Times Best Seller List, due in part to his appearance on the Dr Oz show recently.
We asked him his opinion of the long term impact of Weight Watchers. Our own view for years has been that it is an excellent first step to teach people portion control. Learning portion control is hard for many.
However, once you get past this point, the question becomes do you want to tinker at the edges of your eating habits, or engage in something that takes you to a new place.
Here is what he said:
"Weight Watchers is not in the business of disease reversal, disease protection and health. It is all about weight. Participants and even leaders are poorly educated about nutritional science and women are not motivated to eat to win the war on cancer.
Participants are forever maintaining their food addictions, because eating a little healthier and trying to cut back is simply a formula for failure in too many cases (the vast majority).
So they give lip service to better health and healthier eating, but this is impossible to maintain without serious attention to excellent nutrition, prevention of all deficiencies, sufficient anti-inflammatory super foods and reduction of additions and cravings that result.
That's why Weight Watchers is so successful, because people lose and then gain it back and are forever on the weight loss merry go round, so they keep needing their relatively ineffective supportive services.
Eat To Live is all about life extension and winning the war on cancer. And, once you learn it, the weight comes off permanently and you never have to diet again."
Related PEERtrainer Article: A Look At Dr. Fuhrman's Newest Book: Super Immunity
I can't tell you how refreshing it is to read an article like this. I feel like so few people are willing to speak out and stick their neck out against large established organizations. It's statements like this that keep me interested in Dr. Fuhrman and what he has to say. He is honest and unafraid to speak his truth.
Now, for the not so wonderful part . . . I have been following Eat to Live not-so-perfectly, but pretty well, for over two years. If I could be perfect, I'm sure it would be easy for me to maintain a healthy and relatively low body weight. But I'm not perfect at it and it's not getting easier as the years go on. It is a very strict regimen, and it certainly works if you work it, but to imply that it is easy ("once you learn it, the weight comes off permanently and you never have to diet again") seems like a bit of an exaggeration. That said, it's the single best way of eating that I have come across and I will continue stick with it.
Posted by: wendy (healthy girl's kitchen) | July 03, 2012 at 04:08 PM