The UltraSimple Diet is a new book from Dr Mark Hyman, author of the bestseller UltraMetabolism.
UltraSimple is a 7 day program that seeks to address toxicity and inflammation. Hyman believes that these two factors are the reason why many people struggle with obesity.
Here is a rundown of the diet:
Elimination
Foods containing the following are eliminated from the diet.
- Caffeine
- Processed and refined carbohydrates and sugar
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Hydrogenated (trans) fats
- Processed, packaged, junk, or fast foods
- Alcohol
The book provides very detailed instructions and guidance on how to go about removing these things from your diet (along with any supplementation that may be required).
Foods to Eat
During the program, the following foods should be eaten.
- Filtered water
- Fish, especially small, nonpredatory species such as sardines, herring, wild salmon, black cod or sable fish, sole, and cod
- Lean white meat chicken breasts (preferably organic)
- Fresh or frozen noncitrus fruits, ideally berries only (preferably organic)
- Fresh vegetables (preferably organic)
- Fresh vegetable broth (three to four cups per day)
- Legumes (lentils, navy beans, adzuki beans, mung beans, tofu, and others)
- Brown rice
- Nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, and pumpkin seeds)
- Flaxseeds (ground, preferably organic)
- Lemons
A very detailed day-by-day plan is included – along with recipes, and even lifestyle changes.
Is it Really Ultrasimple?
I believe that inflammation, food insensitivities, and environmental toxins are a very real issue with our modern diets – and our health.
While our bodies are equipped with detoxification mechanisms – I suspect that without the full complement of antioxidants and nutrients (that tend to come with a whole foods diet) – we will never quite be working at full par.
To blame obesity on these factors alone would be an oversimplification – people still lose weight on nutrient-poor (and calorie deficient) diets. Health, however, is another story.
In some respects, Hyman has written the diet to appease our desire for “instant-gratification”. Apparently many people thought the 8 week UltraMetabolism program was too long and “never gave the program a chance” (according to Hyman).
“I designed this program [Ultrametabolism] to be only 7 days (which anybody can do) to prove just how good you can actually feel once you have addressed the core problems of toxicity.”
Berries, especially blueberries have the highest concentration of antioxidants in fruit.
I have the book the ultraSimple Diet and it a talks about the ultra shake and ultra broth. where in the book does it say how to make them? did I miss the page. I would like to start this diet. Thanks for your help
Becky
I read about the Ultrasimple diet in a magazine ( I didn’t buy the book). I am going to try it. I like how Dr. Hyman recommends preparing yourself a week before and cutting out certain processed foods and fats. I have a small weight loss goal, but overall I just want to feel good. I believe I have a fastfood addiction (to my own fault of course)and I want to break that bad habit. The other day I ate french fries and had a massive headache afterward, that made me decide to change my eating habits for good. I feel like this diet will set me on the right track.
My aunt has been following this program and she lost over 20 pounds. So I decided to give it a try. I lost 6 pounds on the first week. I am in day number 8 now. I have also been exercising regularly. I try to work out at least 30 mins everyday.
I like how the author explains exactly how certain behaviors and foods impact your body. I highly recommend this book for those who are trying to loose weight and have a better life. I agree that people need to change their lifestyles and change junk food for whole foods while adding exercise to their lives. But I wanted to understand the rationale behind and a detailed plan works perfectly for me.
PLEASE tell me where is the actual recipe for the ultra broth. I find the ingredients in the book, but there is not actual recipe.
Thank you.
K. Browne
Beth,
So glad to run across your post. I just got diagnosed with Lyme disease, and have had it for between 9-15 years. I’m now on antibiotics and antivirals, as I came down with an outbreak of shingles shortly after finding out about the Lymes.
I’ve had neuropathy (pain, burning. tingling) in both legs for 8-9 years now, starting out with both feet, and progressing up the body. Last year it began in my arms and this year I started having headaches. I think now that it is a Lyme related neuropathy, as there has been no other explanation, even after testing by a neurologist.
I believe that this detox will help me to make my body stronger by getting rid of the things I’m allergic to. I think that some of this pain may disappear, and the nerves in my body might start healing.
Hang in there, and best of luck to you!
Did you possibly consider the fact that you “just might be detoxifying?” The itching sounds like it could be from your toxicity, and you were beginning to get rid of some of it. Sounds like you bailed out too soon. Chlorophyll is generally natural and is in anything green.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Congratulations on your improved health!
I am in the process of reading the USD book. It sounds really good and I am definitely going to give it a try. Does anyone know if it can help autoimmune disorders and lyme disease? I have both lyme and autoimmune thyroid disease and have been suffering with them for many years. Half of my thyroid has been removed, which has made it extremely difficult to lose weight. Lyme is bacterial which is constantly bombarding my system with toxins and is very hard to overcome since I have had it for so long(20yrs)and it was diagnosed too late. It also hides in your body, laying dormant, then it will pop up and wreak havock whenever it feels like it. Believe me, I have tried just about everything, traditional and alternative. I can’t seem to find any info in the book about either of these disorders and the diet’s ability to help with them. It’s possible I might have overlooked this information and I would appreciate any answers someone might have on this. I’m planning on trying the diet no matter what in the hopes that I will feel better.
Berries are lowest on the glycemic index compared to other fruits, so maybe that is why.
yes but lemon water is an excellent way to alkalize the body, even though the fruit itself is acidic, from what I’ve heard. Many problems with the modern American diet is that we consume too much processed carbohydrates and meat and not enough fresh fruits and vegetables. This way of eating is too acidic, and if our bodies our acidic then a host of other problems can arise.
Haven’t read the book yet, looking on the reviews to determine if I should, but my guess is that is why lemons are listed.
Of course you should eat healthy natural foods, and exercise, but how many of us do that? For all of you who dis this program with out having even read the book, shame on you! I am doing the pre ultrasimplediet and I am feeling better already! I am cutting caffeine out of my diet, processed flour, sugar… The stuff our great grandparents had very limited access to, the stuff we should not be consuming in the massive quantities we do. This is a pretty simple diet overall. I was able to get everything I needed at two stores, one was my local fruit and veg market, the other was a Whole Foods Market. Vegetables, chicken, and brown rice are pretty inexpensive ingredients, and tofu is now available just about anywhere! If you don’t think enough of yourself to stick to the pre diet for a week and then the actual diet for another week, then you deserve to feel crummy.
I love this plan. I know what I need to do to loose weight and be healthy, but I need a plan to follow. I found this plan to be simple to follow and actually felt better after completing the 7 days. I know I have an addiction to white flour and sugar and this plan helped me to break it!
My husband (who was skeptical but being supportive) and I did this diet and felt the best we have ever felt. We lost weight had more energy and motivation and lost all of the bloatedness. I highly recommend it to anyone wanted to lead a healthier lifestyle. We got off track during the holidays and felt dragged down and horrible. We are so looking forward to getting back on track.
I’ve seen Dr. Hyman on PBS and read parts of his first book. I like his teaching style, his presentation, and his approach.
Having said that, he says pretty much the same thing as other Dr.’s and nutritionists.
I haven’t read the 7 day diet, but I bet it provides good structure.
Anything worth doing is going to take some work and change. Try not to be cynical. Love yourself enough to do some research into this diet.