The Best Life Diet:
Losing the Oprah Way!

What is The Best Life Diet?

A diet Oprah Winfrey has had long term success with!

And I'm not surprised. The Best Life Diet is a sensible, safe, effective, and easy to follow approach to eating and exercise. It just happens to be written by Oprah's trainer, Bob Greene.

Greene's goal is to transform your old bad eating and exercise habits (one step at a time), into new, healthier ones that will last forever...

...and voila....you lose weight as a result of the process.

Well maybe it's not as simple as waving a magic wand and saying, "Voila..."

...Change doesn't happen quickly or easily, so you're signing on for a lifestyle approach to weight loss with The Best Life Plan.

What are The Best Life Diet "Rules"?

You'll determine your unique calorie level - your calorie needs - and will concentrate on following a recommended number of servings from each of the food groups so that you stay in line with your calorie level. No calorie conting is required but attention to portion control is.

Like many other "diet" approaches, the plan is presented in 3 phases:

Phase 1: A gradual introduction to healthy habits and increase in activity level

During Phase 1, which lasts a maximum of 4 weeks...

• No jumping on the scale is allowed
• No eating is permitted in the 2 hours before bed
• You'll eat 3 meals and 1 snack/day
• You'll be going without alcohol (although it can be reintroduced later)
• You must stay hydrated
• You take the daily supplements that Greene recommends
• You get your body moving (he's a trainer, remember!)

Phase 2: Getting more aggressive

During Phase 2, which lasts a minimum of 4 weeks...

• You learn to control physical and emotional hunger
• You remove six "problem foods" from your diet
• You weigh in weekly
• You exercise portion control
• You increase your activity level still further

Phase 3: Maintenance

During Phase 3, which is supposed to last forever, you'll be eating less and less of:

• fried foods
• foods with trans fats
• white bread
• sugary soft drinks
• white pasta
• high-fat dairy

And you'll be eating more and more of:

• whole grains
• fruits
• vegetables
• low-fat dairy
• lean protein

The Best Life Diet PROS

• The suggestions are realistic and sustainable.
• It's very easy to understand.
• Lots of great recipes, menus and tips.
• Anyone can benefit from it, regardless of lifestyle, food preferences, or activity level.
• The program can be followed online for a fee, or by The Best Life Diet book.

The Best Life Diet CONS

Greene tells you that there are foods you can never again eat. I think that's a formula for failure. Almost any food can be enjoyed as long as the portion - and the interval between indulgences - is reasonable. As I always say, there really are no fattening foods, only fattening patterns.

Greene has placed his "Best Life Diet seal of approval" logo on a variety of food products he recommends as healthy. However, you should know that there are plenty more foods out there that are acceptable! I don't know if Greene gets a kickback from the companies from the sale of these foods, but I have my suspicions.

My Professional Opinion

Greene's recommendations are sound for the most part.

Had Oprah consulted ME, I actually would have made very similar recommendations. (Now, can someone please give her my number?)

If you need help getting started or staying motivated with your lifestyle changes, please feel free to contact me for professional nutrition help!

More diet reviews.

Back to Personal Nutrition Guide Home.