The Geek Diet

What it is: The Geek Diet, a book written by Mark Faithfull, is a lifestyle adjustment plan as opposed to calorie counting or fasting. This plan will not cause automatic noticeable weight loss but instead aims to get your mind on the right track for a healthy life going forward. It doesn’t really have much to do with being a geek, unless you count following the rules as being geeky.

How it works: As Faithfull puts it, “effective long term weight loss is about psychology not biology, we lose weight with our minds not our mouths.” In the end, this diet isn’t just for geeks but for everyone who’s looking for a little common sense – the basic concepts are to permanently change your eating habits by reducing portion size, increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables, reducing high-calorie and high-fat eats, and retraining your palate to enjoy healthy snacks.

What you do: The Geek Diet is all about five simple rules that must be followed:

1. Smaller plate = smaller portions. Reduce plate size!
    
2. Focus on eating your meals and avoid doing other things as you eat.
    
3. At least half of your meal should be fresh vegetables and/or fruit.
    
4. Don’t eat at “set times” and instead eat when you’re hungry with portions equal to your hunger.
    
5. Pick your meal out ahead of time and serve it when prepared. Put any extras out of sight.

Benefits: The Geek Diet applies common sense for an overall healthy, balanced diet plan. The goal here is not for sudden weight loss but a complete eating-style alteration.

Downside: While there are rules in the Geek Diet, those without a strong willpower may find it difficult to stick with the plan.