No matter how hard you try to lose weight, those last ten pounds are getting in the way of your wellness goals. You’re exercising and eating all the foods that are beneficial to your wellbeing – but these so-called “healthy foods” might actually be the sneaky culprit that’s thwarting your weight loss plans. This is according to nutritionist JJ Virgin, author of The Virgin Diet, who claims that, as food intolerance is a hidden cause of weight gain, eliminating the “diet” foods that may be causing intolerance can enable you to lose up to seven pounds in seven days.
The first thing you need to know is that there’s a distinct difference between a food intolerance and a food allergy. Virgin explains, ‘Food intolerance is a series of physiological responses that your body has to certain types of food. They can be immune mediated, including delayed food sensitivities, hormonal— including elevated insulin or cortisol response, or genetic —including lactose intolerance or celiac disease.’ Your diet staples of wholegrain bread, Greek-style yogurt, egg-white omelettes and soy milk may all contribute. ‘Many of the foods you might consider “healthy” could be triggering intolerances,’ Virgin notes. ‘They can create cravings, inflammation and ultimately the inability to lose weight.’
While this may seem like a preamble to get you to go visit your GP, Virgin insists there’s no need to call a doctor. ‘An integrative practitioner might do an IgG test, which lists the most common food sensitivities that are unique to you,’ she outlines, commenting that this examination ‘misses genetic or hormonal intolerances.’ Instead, Virgin advises that you eliminate the hi-FI (food intolerant) foods for three weeks and then add them back in one by one to see which ones challenge your body. According to Virgin, ‘Most people test negative for food allergies but find that they feel better when they pull out these foods.’
She adds, ‘Intolerances are more chronic [than allergies] and sneak up on you. Many of the symptoms intolerances create can feel “normal” so you’re not always making the connection between the food you ate and symptoms it creates. Food intolerance symptoms include bloating, gas, indigestion, fatigue, mental fog, irritability, moodiness — and weight gain. If you’re eating foods that your body can’t tolerate, you’re likely to gain weight, feel awful, and look older than you actually are.’ Virgin claims that ‘Everyone will benefit from pulling these seven highly reactive foods for 21 days,’ and ‘realise pulling these foods is one of the smartest things they’ve ever done.’
So how does the Virgin Diet work?
Step 1: For 21 days, don’t eat any dairy, eggs, soy, gluten, peanuts, corn, sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Step 2: Reintroduce one of the seven foods into your body each week for four weeks, to see which ones are hurting and which ones are helping you on your road to weight loss and better health.
Step 3: Maintain your new diet by learning sustainable strategies that will help you stay lean and healthy for life.
While registered dietician Robin Barrie Kaiden notes ‘there are many who may benefit’ from the plan, he warns that the diet is not for everyone: ‘Yes, these foods are common allergens, but everyone has different sensitivities. For example, some people are sensitive to certain fruits and vegetables and these are not on this list.’ Wellness expert in weight loss, diet and nutrition Diana Le Dean, notes that detoxing from sugar ‘is not an easy task,’ adding that while the elimination of these seven foods is something she supports, it is recommended that you make ‘these changes very slowly and with the help of a weight loss counsellor.’
