Beverly Hills Diet: Author Dies Aged 63
In 1981 Judy Mazel released the Beverly Hills Diet and a marketing juggernaut was born. She died recently of complications relating to peripheral vascular disease.
The million+ selling book blazed a trail for countless other fad diets that continue to plague today's bookshelves. The Beverly Hills diet cast the mold of which other faddish diets have followed. Here is the basic formula:
- Pseudo-scientific theories: In this case, it is not how much you eat or what you eat, but when you eat and what you eat together
- A few celebrity testimonials: Engelbert Humperdink (not convinced he's a "better man" after this diet), Jack Nicholson (he couldn't handle the truth), Maria Shriver (first lady, last 25 pounds) and Jodie Foster (her Yale degree is in literature, not science)
- A sexy title named after a city: Before there was South Beach, The Hamptons and Sonoma, there was Beverly Hills.
- A dose of insecurity about being overweight (or in this case "not skinny")
What makes this diet so shady?
- Very low calories - about 800, but will vary as dieters have free access to fruit in during certain times. The diet is very low in protein and deficient in nutrients.
- Outlandish "rules" based on lousy science: The diet recommends eating fruit by itself and never eating protein with carbohydrates lest your food become undigested and converted into body fat. Here's why my BS meter just went off;
To be stored as fat, a food must be broken down into its building blocks and passed from the intestines into the bloodstream. Any undigested food would be eliminated. Our digestive systems are well equipped to handle foods in a variety of combinations.
- According to the diet, papaya softens body fat, pineapple burns it off and watermelon flushes it out of the body. Discuss...
The most recent incarnate of the diet (The New Beverly Hills Diet - 1996) is less restrictive, but clings to the foods-in-isolation concept. The author seemed to have forgotten that the diet didn't work in the first place, but perhaps remembered that it made boatloads of money.
Now I don't want to speculate as to what specifically caused Judy Mazel's ailment, but it does make one wonder when a diet guru dies of an ailment caused by atherosclorosis.
Sources includes ediets website (www.ediets.com)
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Created / Updated: February 3, 2012
Enzyme (papain), enzyme (bromelain), diuretic (water), respectively.
However, I can't say whether or not this works!
Bromelain, though, has been used to treat tendon injury. It's known to help condition the tendon, break down the injured tissue enzymatically, so that it can be better rebuilt.
ReplyI did try it, found it in a old section, bookstore,
Replyshe in 1981, talked about the omega 3, the need for less packaged stuff and most important, no preservatives,
fits now huh.
Am reading it again, I lost 27 lbs over 3 months, girl here. will try it again.
Her disease that killed her was not a known problem at that time.
and more so,
it was maybe the l00's of drs and diet pills since she was a kid might have killed her, who knows
Judy Mazel died in ? 2007, it is April 2010 and it is now I am finding out. I am very sad and at loss. I did write her an email God knows when but it was like 2006, after going on the beverley hills diet again for the 2nd time. I am worried whether diabetes caused her athrosclerotic problems. You see I am wondering whether fruits in the morning such as pineapple might cause a lot sugar to spill into the blood stream? But as I said below, I usually eat a whole pineapple because when I get to work, I will not be able to do so because all the world would like to comment. I eat the fruit or fruits such as 2 mangoes, or 2 small papayas, or raisins (handful) and then I feel so energetic, euphoric-happy and raring to go. The more I walk, the more energetic I feel. I hope this burns off the excess sugar. Then after 2 hours I eat what ever I like for lunch within my own learned limit using experience from her programme that I have used (in 1982, then married had children, I still had the principles in my head. Then someone suggested another weight programme when I then stopped Judy's program, but it was not as satisfying. so then again 2000 I restared and lost the 14 pounds that I wanted to). I have not lost all the stomach fat, but other parts of my body are ok. I notice that it helps facial features than any other diets because of whatever the fruit-enzymes do for my facial features. Greatsville. I have been meaning to write to Judy all the time to ask her a few questions and tell her all this and would not have known if one of my children had not read about the Beverley Hills LIFESTYLE! I like and find it true what she says about salt, the properties of the fruits, and I do experiment and see what or when I eat this or that what it does to me. I keep a diary and weigh myself as she said in her book.
Reply"According to the diet, papaya softens body fat, pineapple burns it off and watermelon flushes it out of the body. Discuss..."
Well, there's my problem. After living in Kenya for 18.5 years, I had eaten tons of fresh, tree-ripened papaya and lots of stalk-ripened pineapple. I guess I had trouble keeping my weight in check because I didn't eat enough watermelon to flush the fat out. (Hmmm. Wonder where the fat ashes were stored when they weren't flushed out after being burned off by the pineapple?)
ReplySpeculating (or implying speculation) that her diet led to her death is approximately the same reasoning that leads to diet myths in general. It goes like this: "I want it to be true, therefore I believe it's true".
ReplyAccording to the diet, papaya softens body fat, pineapple burns it off and watermelon flushes it out of the body. Discuss...
ReplyDoes anyone actually believe this stuff?? I mean, theoretically, Kailash hit the nail on the head. I doubt it works when you eat the enzymes though. Most enzymes in food are broken down in the digestive tract and don't function anymore...the pH alone of the stomach is enough to denature most enzymes. Of course, it's still a good idea to eat fruits. I eat a lot of papaya and pineapple and apples and other fruits and I don't have a lot of fat on me, so hey, I guess she has a point. However, most of her "fat loss" theories are probably based more on the fact that you only get 800 calories a day, not on the whole food combination mumbo jumbo :)
Even though I don't count calories, the simplest problem with this diet (and it definitely sounds like a diet, NOT a lifestyle....therefore it will fail longterm...) is that it's only 800 calories a day. This will royally mess up your metabolism and help your body easily gain weight after you stop following it.
ReplyI think everyone will do anything to lose weight except exercise and eat right!...the only thing that really works!
ReplyI could never understand fad diets. Less calories in with more calories burned always worked well enough for me. A variety of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and lean protein and dairy sources are key to good health. Of course, this is coming from someone who has dropped 22 pounds in the last 2 months because of an recent mystery health disorder that has seriously diminished my appitite and caused me to be unable to eat certain proteins and grains. So now I'm struggling to maintain my weight on a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet and haunting Dr offices trying to find an answer. I can no longer make fun of the woman in the NutriSystem ad who gushes about being a size 2, because I'm now a size 1. I look like a skeleton, appropriate for Halloween, but not for the rest of the year. Bathing suit season is going to stink if I don't regain some weight before Spring.
ReplyI find all of your post-mortum comments on Judy's diet rude and in bad taste - if nothing else, late. However unconventional her concepts, she helped MILLIONS of people lose weight permanently in their lives. What a blessing to have such an innovator and visionary willing to put it all on the line.
You are whimps at best. Why don't you create your own quarter-century-successful diet on a best seller list twice and dedicate your life to helping others?
ReplyHello, I noticed some supportive comments re Judy Mazel's Beverly hills Diet and I wondered if you could possibly put me in touch with some people who still adhere to this diet. I used to so enjoy chatting on her forum and then it just disappeared. I think this is a fabulous way of eating - it worked for me as long as I used it. But I need to talk to people who use it. Is there still a forum I could join with nbhders? Thanks so much for any help you can give me.
ReplyI am a Beverly Hills dieter. I follow the rules and still listen to Judy's tapes. Each time I hear them I find some new gem. I understand the science behind this way of eating. Yes, Judy made some scientific errors, but she developed a system that works! If you would like to stay in touch, I'd be happy to discuss this further. (By the way, I just found out that Judy died over a year ago, and was saddened by the news. A friend and I spoke with her on the phone a couple of times and she provided some personal coaching and offered some valuable tips.)
ReplyI've always wanted to talk with someone about this diet. Hopefully we can.
ReplyI also have had positive results from the BHD. I am one week into the diet again & have misplaced my book. I have ordered the new book but as I live in a country town in Australia, it is going to take up to 3 weeks to arrive. Is there any chance of you being able to email me the first 3 weeks, either from the old book or the new one.
ReplyI have lost 14lbs so far & I can't remember the next weeks.
Hoping to hear from you,,,,with thanks
hi baytovn..hope u doing well..i want to tlk to u regarding the BEVERLY HILLS DIET..plz talk to me..God bless....
ReplyI do this diet even today but started in 1998
Replyyep am on it ..on and ofcourse, and it works each time but I must stress only for a season as it's not a lifestyle no food loving person can live like that forever.
The key ofcourse is to exercise and eat right but for those who can't this is a sure way to bounce back.
ReplyI am Judy's sister an would be happy to talk to you REGARDING THE DIET. I have lived the Beverly Hills diet most of my life.There are no more forums,however I can put you in touch with other supporters of this lifestyle
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ReplyDear Carol: I've never feel so good as when I was on Judy's diet. My body worked perfectly and I lost more than 50 pounds. I forgot about the diet for many years and, of course, I gained back 30 of the 50 pounds. A couple of years ago I developed "Acid Reflux Disease" and 2 months ago I've decided to try Judith"s principles. I feel so good again. No more sleeping sitting on the bed, no "acid reflux" burning and sofocating me. I was looking for news and found your sister passed on. Sorry to hear taht. Please accept my belated condolences and my thanks for a system that really works for my digestion problems.
Thank you. Annie
September 23, 2009
Dear Carol,
ReplyI have only recently learned of Judy's passing. My deapest sympathy. Because of Judy I am a former "Born Again Skinny." I tried the Beverly Hills diet in the early 90's and it worked for me AND I WAS HEALTHIER THAN I HAVE EVER BEEN. I lost 45 pounds and maintained the weight loss for approximately 12 years...and then I stopped following the Golden Rules. I recently purchased the "New Beverly Hills Diet" book and am beginning to lose weight again. I am sure with Judy's encouraging words I will not only lose weight but lower my blood pressure and cholestrol in no time. It is not just the diet, but mainly Judy's encouraging words that give me the strength to succeed. "Oh, by the way, if you did gain today, don't worry - it will come right off." Instead of making me feel guilty for cheating, she (even in passing) encourages me and reminds me that I am human. I have read many other diet books, but have been unable to stick with them like The Beverly Hills Diet. No one other doctor or author seems to have Judy's compassion and determination to help. Please know that Judy will be missed.
God Bless,
Born Again Skinny (8 lb loss thus far)
So sorry to hear of your sister's passing.
ReplyI purchased this book when it came out years ago and wish I could recall how it worked, the original diet. I am not at my home base but have access to the terrific fruits on this island and would love to try it again. If you can please send me the basic day to day from the original book, would greatly appreciate it. It will be two months before I get back and can look in my hard bound copy on my book shelf at home. Thanks again and best wishes, mc
hi im millet first of all i was very sad to know about ms mazel....i first bought my first beverly hills diet in a second hand book and it was a treasure for me i read the book and was fascinated made the diet and loss 15 lbs.(1996) from then on i shared it to my friends then a friend of mine in us mailed me the new bhd and used the 35 day program which was more adapted and less strict and it always helped when i need to loss some weight.at least this worked on me
ReplyGood afternoon, Carol
ReplyI am quite delighted to know that Judy's sister is around & may have some new insight. Is there a blog or forum online about Judy's Diet? That is what I am looking for. I have all her books just would like to keep in contact with people who uses her system to eat daily. Years ago I was on the diet, I was also a very obese child who everyone made fun of. But by starving myself I lost weight & even modeled some. Now I am in the Military which requires you to maintain not only physical dicipline but also your weight. Recently coming back from Iraq on deployment, eating only what they fix at the Chow Hall, I now have High Blood Pressure, PreDiabitic (spelling), Crohns disease and horribly over weight. I tried following other programs because the Beverly Hills Diet is looked upon as a FAD Diet. None worked as well or healthy as BHD. The advise I got nutritionaly in the Military is eat 800 calories every day, run one hour every day and calestnics for one hour every day & you will lose 3.5 pounds a week which is healthy. I do not believe that is nutritionaly sound or very healthy way to get healthy. So I am going back on this program & stay on it like I did for so many years that made people tell me how well I look for my age. I still have people say I do not look my age (50 yrs). The doctors double check my age and een ask me because not only do I look well but my check up is like a 25 yr old (my oldest is 30yrs old). My Optamoligist said that my eye sight is like a 29 yr old. And this when I just started BHD again. I won't ever go back to that way of eating. My biggest problem is when I am deployed or on Military Orders they just don't know how to feed a person to keep them healthy. Any one can cook nutritionaly the Food Pyamid way, any one but your health fails & it doesn't taste good. Too much salt & over cook & no spice. McDonalds salads are healthier. But anyway going way I am talking to much.
Hello Cynthia,
This may be a complete waste of time but I just had to try. I am trying - again - to track down people who are familiar with and are using the old or new Beverly Hills Diet by Judy Mazel. I so wish that there were a discussion forum or support group of some kind for those who love this way of eating.
I so hope to hear from you. Thank you.
Sue, Ontario, Canada.
ReplyI am so sorry to hear of Judy's passing. I used her original book back in 1981. I lost weight; looked great; and more importantly felt better than ever. I was 27 at the time. I am now 56 years old and have been back on BHD for the last 3 years. Thru the years, I had regained weight; had tried everything else including Jenny C and NutriS with no results; had health issues from insomnia, indigestion, etc. One day in 2007, I just had a moment of clarity and remembered Judy Mazel's BHD. I got on Amazon.com and ordered that book...right then. I paid for quick delivery and began the day I recieved it. 3 years later after many holidays, stress filled ocassions, etc. I remain a Skinny Person because of your sister. I hate reading all these so called experts negative thoughts about her diet and cannot beleive that anyone would imply that it resulted in her death. All I can say, is that I never knew Judy personally but felt like I knew her thru her book which not only addressed "eating" but was so balantly honest about what we "eaters" share. She made me not just address "food" but who I was. Those non-phyiscal exercises...I still do those today. You are fortunate to have had such a great sister and we are blessed for her willingness to be so open and honest regarding her own battle in conquering obesity. You have my deepest sympathies.
ReplyDear Ms. Friduss,
I am so sad to hear about Judy's death. I was looking to see what else she was up to and got so sad to read of her passing several years ago. The diet works, she was a beautiful person who helped many people and contributed to a better world. The world is a sadder place without her. What a loss for all of us. On her plan you did not have to keep buying her food, her videos, her drinks, her pills, her exercise equipment. She shared her knowledge in a book, it was not all about money.
ReplyAlice, I see your comments here dated May 2010...I am writing on May17 2010...I wonder why other dates do not appear. Are you still eating this life style? : ) deborah
ReplyCarol, I am so sorry to find out about Judy's passing. I just love her! I went on a search to find out how she was doing and to find that she has passed on is so sad to me. I know you must miss her so much. You feel like you really get to know her by her book...How funny to see that her good work is still bearing "fruit" literally! She would laugh at that!
I just found this way of eating. I can't call it a diet because I just can't stand that word any more! I found her old book at the good will store on a shelf...I had been praying for a way to understand how to deal with food. I have many diet books...but have not read them! I am almost finished with hers. I started the plan on sat...at 175...this am I was 173.5....I did not do it full tilt boogie on Sunday...I had a salad for lunch...I ended up eating fruit that evening...after about 5 or 6 hours...today I did mango and pineapple....tonight I had rice pasta and some butter and herbs...so I am not even doing the main thing...the all fruit for the first week...I am just seeing how I feel...so far..it is a relief...I feel good and encouraged. My weight,between menopause, hormones and the cortisol I take for adrenal fatique...my weight had just stalled...I was so down and frustrated. If I can find a way to work the food system and drop 40 pounds...after a lifetime of trying to figure this out well, that would be a huge answer to prayer for me. I do hope to hear from you and to get in touch with others who are living this way.
ReplyBless you..Deborah
Carol,
My condolences to you. Judy was G-d sent as she help millions of people including myself. I am hoping that we can continue a blog or some type of forum...I think she would have liked that.
Amy
ReplyHello sister of Judy, it would be lovely to see if works again. I never had such a low weight then on BHD. I come back to it. Eventhough I did raw food lifestyle, atkinson, 80/10/10 diet. Always calories and salt and other water retentionist metters. I feel the energy best on 811(which encourege you to eat nothing but fruit and some salats). But I feel not as free as on BHD. Where I could have occasional drink, meet, potatos, bread. But I dont undestand, why my thyroid struggle (autoimmune). It was here issue as well, I am little scared. If its not due to here lifestyle. Thank you for considering my post.
BHD worked and even better, than fit for life study(there is always something missing there, and calories is really not the issue, I can still remember, how I ate about 3000kcal a day and was 100lb/5.5height=49-50/166cm.
But I have severe indigestion, I can smell aceton during running. That scares me, that have some insuline /mussel destroing issue.
ReplyCannot believe she passed. I loved her books, did the diet, lost weight...lots...that was in the 80's......her books taught me a philosophy for food.......I have used all the tools she gave me in her first book.......I use the recipes to this day.........God Bless her for all she gave.her research & information is very simple and practical. I love her. Blessings to her family, Faith
Replyhi ,first of all i give My condolences to you it was really a shoke to me since i just knew now about her death on december 2010 its like 3 years ago!!! i still cant believe it cause i just bought her book few months ago and i was just trying to find any thing about her wheather it was her email or her picture and i just found out that she is dead its really a big lost,second thing i just wanted to know if you are realy judy sister ? and if you were her sister did she realy died because of her own diet?
ReplyI would love to know of a forum for other BHD supporters. I have just started my first day on the diet today. The first time I tried this diet in 2000 I lost over 30 lbs. I am looking forward to losing that amount or more for my daughter's wedding in May. I can hardly wait for any words of wisdom that you can offer me.
Thank you,
ReplyHi Carol
What is allowed to drink in the first weeks of the diet?
Thanks
ReplySanet
Well done Judy Mazel. I followed and still following her maintenance diet by eating a pineapple for breakfast. I feel energetic and happy in the morning, my system (bowels) are healthy. I find eating the suggested fruits helpful for my complexion and lots more that it does for my face. You have to have done the diet and then you can understand it principles and experiment and adapt it for yourself and you will be surprised. Its like religion, you have to use it with intelligence after undergoing her instructions once or twice. some mornings I eat apples, or pineapples,or papaya, or any fruit I like and then wait 2 hours before eating anything I like with her words of wisdom on salt addition, drinking water and food combining. I use her instructions with intelligence and experimentation. I have used her book to stay at the weight I want by eating fruits to remedy whatever I have eaten the day before. Therefore I can have chocolates, chinese and know what the remedy for these are. So there all you knockers!
ReplyEliminate red meat, dairy and anything white [bread, rice, pasta] and you will live to be 100 ...
ReplyAmen' on the Vegetarianism
Replymy freezer stays full of meats.not at my choice.i'd rather have the cash my husband invests.
not that i'm not thankful, but too much is . just that, a SIN.
I agree with Ben. The woman died of complications from a physical ailment. I am sure her diet theory promised to keep the follower from peripheral artery disease. We need to see the facts here and stop blaming her diet, as ridiculous as it was.
ReplyOOOPS....I am sure her diet theory DID NOT promise to keep the follower from PAD !
Replyshe did not die from Pad.she had a series of strokes . Her diet was in no way related to the cause of death,
ReplyI have no idea how old these comments are, but just wanted to say how excited I was to find your sister's book while unpacking the last few boxes from my move 3 years ago. Am finally following the plan and have lost 8 pounds in as many days. Feel great. Was shocked to hear that your sister had died. I am sorry for your loss. Looking forward to feedback on my next visit to the doctor.
ReplyAgree completely!
Eating fruits is good for the body no doubt. But please stop telling us it's because of some "magical" interactions in your body.
ReplyHonestly people, I don't see where in this posting where it's implied that her death was due to her diet. It's just a death notice with a summary of her diet plan. As I don't follow diets named after places with obsessive self-image issues, I'm unfamiliar with it. Doesn't look like fun, though.
ReplyI HAVE BEEN ON THIS DIET,AND IT ABSOLUTELY WORKS! BUT NOT FOR FAT PEOLPE WHO THINK YOU CAN BE ON THE DIET ,AND THEN EAT WHATEVER YOU WANT!! iF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ON IT , DON'T KNOCK IT!!
ReplyI agree with you Jo. Do you have the original diet for the first 10 days. Can you send it to me. I have the new Beverly Hills diet but the other I liked better. Thanks.
ReplyI agree Jo. I've been on this diet, not for the entire period, but approximately two weeks and I felt and looked faboulous. Lost the extra 5-10 lbs. I was carrying aournd. It is definitely not easy to follow, and I still believe that protein is important to maintain your muscle mass.
ReplyJo, the diet isn't for fat people? lol Eating 800 calories per day isn't healthy and it was/is a fad diet. However I'm sorry she died and I feel bad for her family.
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