Description: A low-fat, mainly vegetarian diet plan. Meat, poultry or fish foods aren't recommended, while only a few dairy products are allowed - like fat-free yogurt, fat-free milk and lower-fat cheese. The Ornish diet lists "Eat Freely" foods, "Eat Moderately" foods and "Banned" foods. Providing you observe these dietary instructions, you can eat all you want without counting calories or portion sizes. (Note: Banned foods include, all fats and oils, nuts, seeds, avocados, as well as refined carbs like sugar, white flour and white rice.) Reviews (10):

the Ornish Diet is very similar to the Pritiken Diet. Reviewer: Diana       07-30-2004 Differences are that Pritikin allows more non-fat dairy and fish, while Ornish allows more refined carbohydrates. Both, however are 75% carbs, 15% protein, 10% fat.

53 yrs old male Reviewer: Ted       07-26-2004 I had an MI in Dec 1992 and decided on the diet/exercise regime vs. bypass. Angioplasty, in my case, was not an option. I have maintained the diet consistantly (with the grateful help of my wife who had to learn how to cook all over again without oils/bacon fat/and all the good stuff) and the exercise (50 minutes/day/4 days per week). My job precludes any stress reduction program, as it is by definition, a stress generator. However, I have had 4 stress tests, all of which showed continued improvement. Without an angiogram, it is difficult to say if my 100%/60% blockages have improved, but I feel great, have had no angina and the Cardiologist said at the completion of my last stress test in June that my improvement was remarkable. I only take 50 mg of Lopressor and 1 aspirin daily. I supplement with 800 units of Vit. E. The local Cardiac Rehab at the hospital really was enthusiastic about Ornish's program and even gave me the book to read as part of the program. So far as diet material, there is nothing published that I know of, except to check the table in the back of Ornish's book and cook accordingly. Lots of veggies and beans, lots of rice and fruit, no meat, no chicken, no fish, no oil and no fat. Kinda boring but not too bad. I don't miss the meat much at all, but I do miss Pizza and french fries!

I had a clogged artery Reviewer: Tito       07-10-2004 A few months ago I had a clogged artery and my doctor put me on an Ornish Diet and I have never felt healthier than in the last 4 months of my life. The only thing is that I miss certain foods.

Ornish Program Reviewer: Scott       06-16-2004 Im a cardiology fellow at a hospital in New York that offers the Ornish Program as an alternative or adjuvant to invasive treatment of coronary disease. As a fellow here, we have been eating 'Ornish food' on a regular basis for lunch at our conferences and have been quite involved on most aspects of the program. Its important to know that while the diet itself is strict in its complete absence of fat, a lot of its other restrictions are not well defined, at least not on a scientific basis. (As long as the food is well seasoned, we've all found it to be relatively palatable.) Its usefullness, however has ONLY been studied in the setting of Ornish's complete program which includes major lifestyle intervention/change. The program includes regular, supervised exercise, proctored meditation, and group therapy lead by trained therapists. The results of the overall program have been quite impressive in the stabilization and MILD regression of coronary obstructive disease in this HIGHLY compliant and motivated group of people. While the idea of a fat free diet is not new, the concept of an integrated program of lifestyle change is the novelty here. I believe there are several cookbooks dedicated to the oil/meat/fish/fat free type of diets.

Finally a great diet. Reviewer: Diego       05-30-2004 Once you get over the foods you are limited to, this is a great diet. You will find that there are tricks to make the foods you can have taste better. Just get a book that has Ornish recipes and I can almost guarantee you will love this diet and lose weight quickly. This is by far the healthiest and best diet to help your lose weight and keep your system free of junk, oils, and fatty foods.

One guy's experience Reviewer: Fred       03-31-2004 Thought you might be interested in one guy's experience with the Ornish diet. Started one month ago at 221 pounds (6 ft., 56 years of age), cholesterol of 240, and only slight exercise, with the beginning of exercise-associated angina. I went on the "reversal" (more restrictive) of Dr. Ornish's diets, which does not allow red meat, egg yolks or oils. He also recommends no chicken, but I cheat on that. Sugar and salt are moderately restricted, alcohol limited to two drinks per day or less, and calories aren't really counted. This diet is a breeze. I eat all I want of healthy food, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, cereals, breads, pastas, huge salads (but nonfat dressings, of which there are many great ones), bagels (nonfat), nonfat cheeses, pancakes without butter, veggieburgers, etc. This is a diet I can and will stay on for life. No suffering here at all. The results are astounding. In one month my weight has dropped 14 pounds, and I feel wonderful. No angina. Blood pressure is down to 120/68. I can't wait to check my cholesterol level. Best of all, I've never been hungry a single time. I will never eat red meat or high-fat foods again. Why didn't I think of this 30 years ago?

i lost 40 pounds Reviewer: Ren       03-31-2004 In my twenties, I lost >40lbs on a doctor supervised high protean diet. In my thirties I lost weight on Dean Ornish diet. Now on my 40s, again, I have lost the same 40lbs on an Ornish diet. I just heard about the Zone from one of the trainers at my health club. I am much more active now (run 20 miles per week) and am newly concerned about physical performance.

Excellent meal plan Reviewer: Raul       03-31-2004 I know all about this diet. You get to eat food that you like. I have been off and on this diet for years. Everytime i am on it I lose weight. The last time i was on it I think i lost around 20 pounds.

Ornish feedback Reviewer: Stephanie       03-30-2004 I know someone who tried this diet. He ended up losing a few pounds but gained it back later when he stopped the diet.

Great Diet Reviewer: Mario       03-24-2004 I lost weight on the Ornish Diet. I also increased my energy and strength which helped me alot because i play in a soccer league.

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