There is nothing special about “The Newcastle diet” these diet shakes were on the market for many decades before Prof Taylor did his research. But before he published his research, doctors did not believe they work, as crash diets were thought to always fail. Recent research has shown that the speed of weight loss does not lead to people being more likely to regain the weight. Hence “crush” low carb diets like “The New Atkins for a New You” can be a good option. People also tend to keep to them better, as the commitment is for a shorter time.
We tend to tell people to start slowly, as it is easier with meds, and their blood glucose meter can be used to motivate them, with reducing carbs until they get to the level they can cope with. But doing it the other way round, going VERY low carb, then once the weight is lost; slowly increasing carbs can also work.
There are many people on this forum who have used the shakes, and then moved onto some sort of moderate low carb “diet” getting great results.
As one who achieved success with Newcastle diet and has maintained weight and blood glucose levels since adopting the low carb lifestyle, I have to offer some support to the very low calorie diet methodology. With some reservations...
All media seems to take a theory and then find 'evidence' to fit their theories. Although the TV programme hasn't aired yet, I think some of us, me included, are assuming it will be in the format of 'sad, fat, people who were previously greedy, lazy, junk food gobbling slobs have lives transformed in just 9 weeks'. If only it was so simple. I would hope to see some sort of analysis of what they are advised diet wise in the follow up. Also how they coped.
In my own case, the ND methodology enabled me, for the first time in many many years to achieve a substantial weight loss, but more importantly for me, within a week of starting I was achieving non-diabetic blood glucose levels, and have remained so, despite regaining some of the weight.
It would be really helpful if the participants in the TV programme are also given advice on following the low carb lifestyle. It took me 3 years after my ND stint to discover low carbing. It should have been obvious, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. The weight regain was after following NHS dietician advice on healthy carbs and portion size. Then being demoralised because not only did it not work for me weightwise, but also the feeling that I was being regarded as a liar and judged when the recommendation didn't work.
My conclusion is that no one method suits everyone, and if we decry or discredit any particular method we could be denying folks of finding the way that works for them. I am still obese despite weighing 30 kg less than I did before ND. (Almost 50 kg loss on ND). The 20kg regain was in the interim between finishing ND and working out LCHF really envy those of you who start LCHF and quickly lose weight. I just maintain weight with that regime. I think I am not alone in that , though don't want to name anyone, and I hope nobody here would treat us in the same way some HCPs have, i.e. Make us feel like failures / liars, just because we aren't fitting the theory.
I won't be able to watch the TV programme tonight, but will get it on catch up as soon as I can. It should be interesting. I really hope the follow on will be a low carb programme.
