Losing weight on the Brentwood Diet without losing your mind or making midnight runs to Taco Bell

The Brentwood Diet* is not for wimps. It's not for someone who wants to shed a few pounds to look good in a swimsuit, either. It's a diet designed to help patients with diabetes or metabolic syndrome manage their conditions and avoid medication, if possible. Basically, metabolic syndrome consists of a scary combo of health issues--high triglycerides, high-cholesterol, high-blood pressure, insulin resistance and ample belly fat--that increase a person's risk for diabetes, heart attack and stroke. So yeah, the Brentwood Diet is hardcore. But, it's that way because the stakes are high.

Created by Dr. Eric Mizrahi of the Brentwood Family Health Center, the Brentwood Diet kicks sand in the face of the Miami Beach Diet. Sort of like the Atkin's Diet without the fat, the Brentwood Diet features protein in the form of mono-chromatic meat and fish only: white fish along with skinless, white-meat chicken, turkey or ostrich. Vegetables of the non-starchy variety make up a big part of the menu. Needless to say, salt, desserts, white flour, bread and sugar are taboo. Dairy, fruit and alcohol make the the list of forbidden foods, as well. Getting the picture? 

Now, the Brentwood diet practically vacuums the fat off your body. We're talking around three to five pounds a week. But, most normal humans find sticking to it a tad difficult, to say the least. That's one of the reasons why Dr. Mizrahi insists his patients keep a bag of cut-up veggies within arm's reach at all times. It's also a reason for this blog, which explores the challenges of keeping on a high-protein, low-carb, low-fat, no-salt diet. And chronicles my husband, David, and my journey into the low-carb lifestyle. By the way, David went on the Brentwood Diet because of health concerns and I did it for support, and well, to look good in a swimsuit. 

*This is your kids-don't-try-this-at-home legal disclaimer. The Brentwood Diet is a doctor-monitored diet. And you want MD supervision on it because lots of things come into play, health-wise. Like if you have kidney issues, this or any high-protein diet is not for you. And if you don't eat enough protein while on the Brentwood Diet, your body can cannibalize your muscles for fuel. Yikes! If you're interested in going on the diet and live in the LA-area, check in with Dr. Eric Mizrahi at (310) 471-7714 and online at: www.brentwoodfamilyhealthcenter.com