Psychiatrist Says Favorite Foods in a Weight Loss Plan May Cause Diet Failure

Contrary to what many dieters may think, choosing one plan over another because it allows more of certain favorite foods may be a recipe for another dieting failure, according to Psychiatrist, Dr. Anthony J. Burlay.

(PRWEB) November 2, 2005 -- Contrary to what many dieters may think, choosing one plan over another because it allows more of certain favorite foods may be a recipe for another dieting failure, according to Psychiatrist, Dr. Anthony J. Burlay, author of The Foundation Diet: Your Body Was Designed to Eat (Zen-Fusion Publishing, $22.95).

Differentiating between “wants” and “needs” and learning what your body is designed to eat is the key to weight loss, Dr. Burlay says. “Approaching your search for a diet with the thinking that you can't give up certain foods– like pasta, chocolate, certain fruits, or whatever your food may be– is a symptom of our society’s trend towards instant gratification, and not the way you should be thinking if you want to lose weight.”

Many approaches to dieting rely on restricting “bad foods” an approach, Dr. Burlay says, that ascribes morality to food choices and feeds the cycle of weight loss and regained pounds that plague the modern dieter. “A ‘forbidden fruit’ mentality only fuels the feeling that dieting is a time-limited unpleasantness. However, a shift to a permanent change in food choices is the way to sustainable weight loss,” he says. Feeling denied certain flavors or tastes only compounds the problem and hiding foods in cookie jars or pantries does not reduce the risk that they will be eaten. “Even a five year old knows hidden cookies taste the best,” says Dr. Burlay.

Changes in food choices that meet your body’s needs rather then your wants will, in time, lead to a change in those wants. If the plan you chose does not allow your favorite food, there will be some initial discomfort but, Dr. Burlay says these previously favorite foods will take on a different importance as you proceed with your weight loss goals and change your pattern of eating. “It is as though your taste buds evolve to a new plateau of satisfaction. Those foods that previously had such a grip over your decision making may actually cause an adverse response. You will go by the donut or pizza shop with a new found freedom and not give in to the primitive part of your brain linked to emotions and food aroma.”

Once you are eating a diet which is evolutionarily correct, you can and should pay attention to your body’s signals to eat, says Dr. Burlay. "At that point your body will be telling you what it needs and you will find that your 'needs' and 'wants' are the same thing," he says.

The Foundation Diet is available at Amazon.com and major booksellers. For more information visit: www.foundationdiet.com.

About Anthony J. Burlay, M.D.:
Dr. Burlay is currently the Medical Director of a substance abuse and rehabilitation treatment program in Maryland. He is Board Certified in General and Addictions Psychiatry and is the author of “The Foundation Diet: Your Body Was Designed to Eat,” (Zen-Fusion Publishing, $22.95) a plan he developed after losing and keeping off over 50 pounds. More information regarding Dr. Burlay and his book is available at www.FoundationDiet.com. “The Foundation Diet” is available wherever books are sold.

About Zen-Fusion Publishing:
Zen-Fusion Publishing is a division of Zen-Fusion Entertainment, LLC. Privately owned since 2001, Zen-Fusion Entertainment provides artist management, consulting, and marketing & promotions services exclusively for the entertainment industry. The company’s main office is located in Los Angeles, CA. Visit www.Zen-Fusion.com to learn more.

Media: To schedule an interview or request further information about "The Foundation Diet," please contact Candice Pascal. A press kit and high resolution, print quality graphic of The Foundation Diet dust jacket (file size 3433286) is available for download at http://www.foundationdiet.com/media.htm.

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