J. Morris Hicks, the "big picture" guy, in search of integrity and consistency when it comes to the optimal health-promoting diet-style for the human race
Occasionally I get a comment from a reader that simply says it all — and can stand alone as my complete blog for the day. Today is one of those days. After watching the Dr. Oz segment where he shamelessly promotes a dangerous “Atkins like” weight-loss diet — the Dukan Diet, Mitzi writes…
Severely dismayed now that I watched the second segment of Dr. Oz….
How could a medical doctor possibly approve people only eating vegetables every OTHER day in the main weight-loss phase of the diet? I can see how the exercise physiologist could fall for it, but Dr. Oz? Losing weight by any means necessary is almost never long term. My mother has done it again, and again, and again. She swore by the Atkins diet, and lost 100 pounds only to regain it, and then some. She had her gall bladder removed (50% filled with cholesterol-based stones, though her blood lipids were fine), and she still eats bacon every morning to “suppress appetite”.
One of the things that sent me on a quest for healthy living was not wanting to wind up spending life as many American women do, yo-yo-ing from diet to binge to diet and ruining a healthy metabolism in the process. The Dukan “diet” actually encourages that very behavior! Eat whatever you want for 6 days? Then only protein one day a week? How will that make up for anything? We have to change what we WANT to eat.
On a trip to Spain a few years ago, after two days, I was prowling the streets, looking for a good bowl of rice and beans (or a vegetarian paella, or something veg that wasn’t a sandwich or light salad). You change the cravings, and proper eating comes more and more easily. As long as you put garbage in – you get garbage out.
Thank you Mitzi for sharing your powerful message. If any of the readers today missed those various Dr. Oz postings, here they are — in sequence — for your convenience:
April 27: Dr. Oz Show — focusing on plant-based, whole foods
Five days later: Dr. Oz – back to the same old fad diets…
A recap (with both videos): Nutritional excellence one week; yo-yo diet the next…
J. Morris Hicks with Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, who along with Dr. Campbell and Dr. Ornish, influenced Bill Clinton to start eating at the "4-Leaf" level.
One final note; right now, we are in the process of gathering written “endorsements” for our book — and we are thrilled and honored with our progress to date. With Dr. Campbell & son writing the foreword, we already have direct quotes from John Robbins, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Raymond Francis, Howard Lyman, Alexandra Stoddard, and Kim Barnouin (co-author of Skinny Bitch). In addition, there are quotes being prepared by Dr. Esselstyn (shown here), Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Dean Ornish, and a former Fortune 100 CEO — all people of integrity and consistency.
Although an endorsement from Dr. Oz would probably sell more books, I am not sure that I would want it. After all, I am not sure what he truly believes. Either he is totally confused himself or….he just needs the money.
Now if Oprah wants to endorse my book, I would be thrilled. She is not afraid to tell it like it is — even though she once got sued (along with Howard Lyman) by some Texas cattlemen for saying on her show, “I will never eat another burger!”
If you like what you see here, you may wish to join our periodic mailing list. Also, for help in your own quest to take charge of your health, you might find some useful information at our 4-Leaf page. From the seaside village of Stonington, Connecticut – Be well and have a great day.
If you’d like to order our book on Amazon, visit our BookStore now.
—J. Morris Hicks…blogging daily at HealthyEatingHealthyWorld.com
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PS: Thanks again Mitzi
J. Morris Hicks, engineer. writer. big picture guy. 
I watch Dr. Oz on a regular basis (I DVR ) yes I agree. He sends mixed messages. My biggest problem is his constant suggesting supplements. Yes many of them are wonderful, if you are already eating a healthy diet, but I feel that many are still eating poorly and just adding more pills to their daily routine. You have to remember that it IS still a successful tv show, and if he constantly had guest like Dr. Fuhrman, Dr esselstyn ect.. I am sure he would lose ratings as most people do not want to give up their cheese or fish etc… When they feel that is good nutrition. I am a vegan (2yrs now) I have lost weight too but not the huge amount that I read about so often. When I go anywhere and it’s pointed out I’m vegan, I get soo many responses and its gets so very tiring always having to defend myself (yes defend) because the majority of folks believe so strongly that eating lean meats and fish are healthy if in moderation. Dr Oz’s wife is a vegetarian and his father in law, a brilliant Dr himself was on the show and did promote a mostly veg diet, so their is hope. I have emailed to the show expressing this and if more of us did the same maybe the show would lean more in that direction.
Dr Oz has clearly shown he knows nothing about nutrition like 98% of all the doctors in this country. He has now become nothing more than entertainer in my mind! In my practice, nutrition is a vital part of Chinese Medicine. It always has and always will be. I recently received a thank you letter from a male patient who, after adopting a vegan diet that I put him on, dropped his total cholesterol by 96 points and his bad Cholesterol by 62 points in only 3 months. His medical doctor was shocked!
Don’t compromise what you stand for by pursuing a Dr. Oz endorsement! I read your blog every day – you’re the cheerleader on my sometimes faltering path. Thanks for the support and dedication to your truth.