There is a new diet plan that has caused enthusiasm amongst health fanatics. Shibboleth diet is the new addition to numerous diets that have already existed before. So, you may be wondering how the Shibboleth diet differs and whether it works for weight loss. Let me give you the review.
What is the Shibboleth diet?
The Shibboleth diet was designed by Travis Martin, an entrepreneur who lost 100 pounds (45.5 kg) and sustained his weight loss for years.
The diet has a strong focus on Christianity, as members following this diet can ask for prayers and pray for others. The Shibboleth diet provides nutrition education, daily meal plan options, weight loss video series, with recipes, and live support for a membership cost of a certain amount.
According to the Shibboleth diet website, there is no need to buy special foods or supplements as the diet relies on food which can be found easily.
Can it help you lose weight?
Shibboleth diet works by creating a calorie deficit, meaning they decrease the number of calories you consume. Many of its meals contain 900–1,500 calories per day.
These calories may help you lose weight, but it will be difficult to get enough vitamins and minerals. This diet has helped numerous people lose weight, but it is uncertain whether people have maintained it in the long term.
Benefits of the diet
- There are numerous benefits to the Shibboleth diet that may make it effective for weight loss. The diet encourages users to keep a food log and self-weighing. People self-awareness can increase, and it also helps people identify problems and make adjustments as needed.
- The diet also uses self-reflection techniques by motivating members to set goals, take action, and evaluate whether that action was effective, or they should try another approach.
- Members are asked to attend weekly classes for both accountability and support throughout their weight loss journey.
- The Shibboleth diet puts great emphasis on eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods, such as lean proteins, vegetables, low-fat dairy, fruits, beans, and nuts.
Demerits of the Diet
- The Shibboleth diet program has its foundation on a single person experience with weight loss; that is, his founder. So, what may have worked for him might not work for you.
- There is the credibility that people who are running the diet club have any scientific or nutrition background or credentials.
- The diet wants you to follow strict dieting rules and thus encourages an unhealthy relationship with food.
- The 900–1,500 calorie benchmark is much too low for most people and thus may increase your risk of nutrient deficiencies.
How to follow the Shibboleth diet
Here are the guidelines that you can follow on what you can and cannot eat.
Foods to eat
The diet consists of seven food categories that claim to enhance your metabolism and throw your body into an efficient and effective “fat-burning mode.
These seven categories include:
- Lean protein: chicken breast, low-fat cottage cheese, fish, Greek yoghurt (nonfat, plain), egg whites, and deli meat
- Fibrous carbs: salad greens, green beans, spinach, cucumbers, bell peppers, mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli, and high fibre tortillas and bread
- Energy carbs: corn, potatoes, grits, peas, brown rice, oatmeal, navy beans, and whole wheat pasta
- Protein and fat: lean (93%) ground beef, lean steak cuts, whole eggs, Canadian bacon, dark meat chicken, and tuna packed in oil
- Antioxidant carbs: apples, cantaloupe, berries, grapes, kiwifruit, prunes, oranges, and watermelons
- Superfood: peanut butter, seeds, nuts, and beans, including black, kidney, red, garbanzo, soy, and pinto
- Shellfish: shrimp, oysters, clams, lobster, crab, etc.
Bottom Line
The Shibboleth diet encourages behaviour modification and offers accountability, but in some people, it may create an unhealthy relationship with food. This diet is deficient in calories which aren’t appropriate for most people.
Because of its unreliable nutrition information, it can induce negative metabolic changes that can lead to weight regain over time. Therefore, it’s better to follow a wholesome approach or try another diet.