Dr. Robert F. Kushner is director of the Wellness Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and teaches medicine at Northwestern University. However, his book and diet plan are more like something a psychiatrist would write. There is very little about specific diets and daily menu plans, and a tremendous amount on how differences in personality and lifestyle affect eating habits.
Using Dr. Kushner’s book, you fill out a 66-item questionnaire that determines your “Diet Personality.” Are you a “Nighttime Nibbler,” a “Mindless Muncher,” a “Hearty Portioner,” or one of four other types? You also determine your “Exercise Personality” and “Coping Patterns.” Some of the seven exercise types are “Aches-and-Pains Sufferer” and “Hate-to-Move Struggler.” You find out which of the seven styles of coping patterns you use to deal with stress, such as “Persistent Procrastinator,” “Can’t Say No Pleaser,” “Fast Pacer,” etc.
Once you determine which exercise and diet personality you are, you read specific advice on how to change your habits. For example, curing nighttime nibbling is about eating more in the daytime and taking more time with your food. An exerciser may be getting no results in weight loss because she repeats the same routine every day instead of upping the ante with more intensity or longer periods of exercise. If you are the kind of person who can’t say no to others because you are looking for their approval, that may be causing you to overeat to relieve your inner conflicts.
Dr. Kushner also has you trace your entire life’s weight history and answer questions such as, “Why did I gain weight at this point in my life? Was my job too stressful?” As for food choices and menus, Dr. Kushner teaches you how to choose foods that are highly nutritious. You should read labels and stock your grocery cart with fresh produce, high-fiber cereals, soups and breads, and low-fat dairy products. He recommends vegetarian choices and fish for protein. Among his recipes, he has only one for pork and none for beef. He explains how to “doctor down” your recipes by substituting low-fat and low-calorie ingredients. He tells you to rearrange your “food environment,” meaning you should get rid of high-calorie snacks such as chocolate, pastries, and salty foods like potato chips from your home and place of work.
See: Kushner, Robert F. (MD) and Nancy Kushner (RN). Dr. Kushner’s Personality Type Diet (New York: St. Martin’s Press), 2003.
Created:
2003
Categories:
Low Fat, Low Calorie, Activity Emphasis, Cognitive Behavioral Approach
Website:
http://doctorkushner.com/
Meetings:
No
Books:
Yes
Expert Review:
The emphasis on your personality type may be helpful for some people who have repeatedly regained weight. By examining your behavior that leads to overeating you get clues as to how to change your habits that undermine your success in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A cognitive behavioral approach is very helpful for long-term weight loss. This book is more about examining your eating habits to identify your problem areas and is not advocating a specific weight loss plan, although he suggests you eat low-fat and nutritious foods.
Sample Menu:
Recipes offered: Low Fat
Dr. Kushner’s basic six ideas are:
- Stop blaming yourself – we live in an environment that promotes obesity.
- Know your lifestyle – changing your patterns of behavior can make you slim.
- Make small changes.
- Self-monitor to stay on track.
- Identify recipes for success – he includes a section of healthy recipes.
- Be resourceful – if you cannot lose weight on your own, get professional help.
RECIPES
Cajun Beans and Rice
1 large onion
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1½ cups fresh okra, sliced
1 16 oz. can red beans
1 16 oz. can black beans
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 16 oz. can of tomato sauce
½ teaspoon each, Cajun seasonings and pepper sauce
Sauté onions and garlic in non-stick skillet, then combine all ingredients and heat.
Skinny Guacamole
Two 9 oz. packages frozen asparagus
½ cup fresh cilantro
2 T. lime juice
4 T. low-fat mayonnaise
2 T. water
½ cup chopped onion
1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
4 drops pepper sauce
Puree asparagus and cilantro, and add lime juice, mayonnaise, and water until you reach a smooth consistency. Combine asparagus mixture with onion, garlic, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Chill for at least an hour.