Diet Cults

March 3, 2014
Eschewing the term “fad diets” in favor of “diet cults,” sports nutritionist Fitzgerald (Racing Weight) attempts to ascribe cultish behavior to the quest for weight loss. Noting that there’s no single approach that works for everyone, but that each approach has effective elements (though some are only effective in the short term), Fitzgerald identifies what works and what doesn’t within each of the major weight-loss programs. Along the way, he studies the paleo diet, the wildly successful Weight Watchers program, gluten-free diets, and the Atkins diet, along with old approaches such as fasting. He concludes with what amounts to his own cult diet. Noting that motivation is a key component, he focuses on common sense: eat lots of fruit and vegetables, avoid processed foods, incorporate healthy oils, eat high-quality meat and seafood, and, of course, exercise. Those who’ve stuck with Fitzgerald may feel like the kid in A Christmas Story when the secret is revealed, but it’s a sensible approach, even if it’s reached in elliptical fashion. Agent: Linda Konner, Linda Konner Literary Agency.

May 15, 2014

Athlete and nutritionist Fitzgerald (Racing Weight) describes a diet cult as "a way of eating that is morally based, identity forming...viewed by its followers as superior to all other ways of eating." Acknowledging that cult diets have existed since antiquity, he briefly examines Jewish eating laws and the food philosophies adhered to by followers of Confucius, then examines modern diets and concludes with his own "agnostic healthy eating game." Many eating programs both healthy and not are surveyed, including raw foods, paleo, Weight Watchers, superfoods, Atkins, gluten-free, and others. Fitzgerald notes that most popular diets advocate "one true way" of eating in order to attain maximum health while focusing on an "unnecessary avoidance of healthy foods." His own eating guidelines are basic: eat mostly from a list of essential and recommended foods--vegetables, fruits, nuts, healthy meats and fish, whole grains, and dairy--and eat less refined grains, processed meats, sweets, and fried and processed foods. VERDICT While the cult analogy is carried a bit far, referencing the Bible and referring to protein shakes as "a sacrament," the conversational writing is enjoyable and the content informative.--Pauline Baughman, Multnomah Cty. Lib., Portland, OR

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