The Shangri La Diet

What it is: The Shangri-La diet is based on author Seth Roberts, PhD, assertion that you can train yourself to eat less food by regulating your body’s set point through the consumption of sugar water or extra-light olive oil between meals.

How it works: The set point, the weight at which your body naturally wants to settle, and taste association are the basis of this diet plan. Robert’s theory is that when you eat familiar foods, they cause the brain to stimulate hunger, resulting in a higher set point and weight gain. But if you eat foods with little or unfamiliar taste, your brain concludes you must be starving, which lowers your set point and results in weight loss.

What you do: Dieters are permitted to eat whatever foods they like, but are encouraged to eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains and high fiber items. Roberts recommends dieters have 1-3 tablespoons fructose water or 1-2 tablespoons of extra-light olive oil twice a day between meals. Because this provides calories without taste, he believes it will train your body to stop associating calories with taste so that you will eventually want less of whatever you eat.

Benefits: Dieters are permitted to eat whatever foods they desire, but dieticians and doctors caution that it may be too good to be true.

The Down Side: Experts warn that consuming flavorless items between meals isn’t practical and isn’t something that most people will want to do over a long period of time. Nutritionists caution that Robert’s claims are scientifically unfounded and are based strictly on testimonials. The diet also lacks any exercise recommendation.