The Shangri La Diet

Well, one sugar cube is 10 calories. For 400 calories it is 40 cubes.

I've posted on the current "best practices" at:

http://ethesis.blogspot.com/2006/06/shangri-la-diet-best-practices.html

I've lost 63 pounds so far, and am pleased with the diet.

Hmm, I've recently tried the diet...well, I'm trying it right now. I took 4 tbsp of ELOO an hour after my breakfast.

Is the sugar water necessary? I figured I should be just okay with the ELOO.

I started this diet three weeks ago. I have noticed a remarkable change in my cravings and satisfaction with smaller and yes, healthier proportions. I am 39 years old and I have only been on one diet and that was Weight Watchers. I am not a follower of the so-called "fad diets. I was skeptical because I know that I often eat out of boredom. With the cravings curbing, I am finding that I simply do not feel like snacking and when I do, I crave healthier food. I still have my one trip per week to the local Dairy Queen, but I don't find myself scavenging through the refrigerator or pantry for something, anything to snack on. I desire more activity in my day and I am noticing changes in my shape with a four pound weight loss. May not sound like alot for three weeks, but to see myself adjusting to a life without cravings and all-day snacking, I am more than pleased with the results of this diet.

I look forward to what is to come for me.

Good luck to all of you. Be patient and allow yourself to witness and validate even the smallest benefit.

I have just started reading about this diet today. I also just ordered the book. My question is that I have diabetes and really do not see that addressed anywhere. I looks like it is okay to just stick to the Olive Oil and not so much the sugar. Am I right in that assumption? Does anyone out there have diabetes and how is the program working for them and do they have any recommendations. I am 64 and about 75 lbs overweight. Thanks for any ideas.

Arlene,
Yes you may stick with just oil. If you go to the www.sethroberts.net website there is a very good support forum for people using this method.
Most people on the forum are mainly using oil, good luck an maybe we will see you there.
Seth himself often replies to our questions too.

Jenn

The sugar water: do you dissolve it by boiling the water, or just slosh it around in the water? I'm concerned about adverse effects. Reading other negative blogs, they say don't do it, especially the fructose sugar as that is corn sryup. Any information on this? I'd like to take the oil, but just had gallbladder surgery last October. Anyone taking the oil who doesn't have a gallbladder? Thanks for the information.

Yes, others at the SethRoberts.net forums have been using the oil though their gallbladders have been removed.

Or if you prefer to use the sugar, it's really only about the same as a Pepsi or 2.

Jennifer thank you for the information I did go to the Seth Roberts site and found it very informative. I am going to start the oil today. I had a light breakfast and will do the oil in an hour. Do you have any suggestions on the routine. Thanks again for your help.

Jennifer thank you for the information I did go to the Seth Roberts site and found it very informative. I am going to start the oil today. I had a light breakfast and will do the oil in an hour. Do you have any suggestions on the routine.

Arlene,
People's routines vary. But one thing that is starting to catch on is taking the oil at night just before bed at least 1 hour after your last meal. And then just upon waking. You have time to shower, etc then have your breakfast later.
The nighttime oil seems to have a stronger effect on women. I am only taking 1 TBS at night, and the effects are good. I do get hungry still, usually at noon. (Which is very normal since we do need to survive!) That is my big meal of the day. And actually it is not very big now thanks to Shangri-la.

The boards on seth's site are full of routines and menus.

Good luck with the weightloss!

Jenn

Anyone know if you can use light coconut oil? It certainly isn't tasty, but I can get it down a lot easier than olive oil.

Contempt prior to investigation does make one look foolish-

Has anyone had any experience or know of the response in pre-teens and younger teens?

Hi, Im just lookin for sum advice im 16 yrs old and iam 240 ibs. I know big gurl!!! I would like to know a way i can lose weight fast and look great before i become a senior. please help out. asap

Thanks!!!!

I have five kilograms extra after the birth of my third child, I am active (I walk everywhere) and I have a serious snacking habit. After two weeks on SLD I have lost 2.5 kilograms and I am thrilled! My appetite has been quelled, but I am still making healthy choices for my meals, and keeping active. I have a question about side-effects - any women notice any effect on their periods?

Hi all: I just came across this blog when I goggled Shangri-La diet and enjoyed reading the posts. I have learned a lot! Thanks!! I came across this term from another website from a person who is a T-Tapp trainer, an exercise system which I have just invested in and plan to use. I live in India and went out to the bookstores in my city today and tried to find the book but no luck. They look at me like I am insane. Oh well it may come and then again, it may never.
I have a question. I noticed someone said you should not use Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I understand the logic behind that statement but the problem is here in India that is all I can get – or what is called Pure Olive Oil. But I cannot get the ELOO that you guys keep talking about. So my question is should I just stick with what I have and work with it – the EVOO or switch totally to the sugar solution. I wasn’t keen on the sugar, as I rarely use it. In fact the only time I use any is my one cup of coffee each AM but I guess really more can’t harm. I have about 40 or 50 pounds to lose overall.

Any advice/suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks! And keep posting cause I learn from you!

Asha,
you can try Sunflower oil, after googling a bit I found that it is flavorless (blab in flavor..both refined and unrefined one). best luck!

Asha,
Also you could try holding your nose while taking the oil and then rinsing your mouth out with water and getting rid of the taste before you breathet through it again!

A friend of mine is having good results with walnut oil, she has lost 17lbs in 5weeks.
I am on Day2 now and already feel a reduced appetite. I keep questioning it and persuading myself that it must be psychosomatic, but really - who cares as long as it works!!

I have found that when taking my ELOO, I put it in my mouth, hold it, and immediately drink some hot water...swallowing it all together. The first few times, I swallowed the ELOO solo and gagged :( My new way makes it so easy, I don't feel my throat coated in oil. yuck.
Some suggest mixing the oil and water in a glass, but my way, you avoid leaving any behind. One plus....my skin is SO soft and smooth now!
susan

Thanks Arvind and Marie. I am just using the Pure Olive Oil I have, and find it is working! I am not hungry! If it ceases to work I may try the sunflower oil - since it is freely available here so thanks for the suggestion. Maybe finally I shall reach my goal to lose some weight. Good luck to all of you on your weight loss attempts!

This is just a reply for RecovAna- in case you ever read this, which I doubt as the dicussion that is fairly old.
I don't know you and never will but keep fighting and recovering. I think its awesome that you are recovering (after having to watch as far too many succumb to the addiction and disease that anoxeria is.)
So yes, you are right and if you exercise and eat healthly you will be slim.
Good luck, you can beat it.

A follow-up report. I did the sugar water thing for one month, made normal efforts to eat healthy and exercise, and did not lose one pound. I did find that there was an effect on my appetite, but I have to cook meals for my family, and I was able to eat the meals I cooked. Meal planning was perhaps more difficult, but there was no weight loss.

People. Please buy the book or check it out from the library or interlibrary loan it. You're really going to cheat yourself out of a really cool tool to go by your first impressions. The author explains the research behind the diet in the book. There are particulars, like what kinds of oils and sugars to use and not use. It's worth it to take the time to read it. I just started this diet and I can already see how my appetite for food has decreased to about half of what I usually eat. But you need to follow the rules, and I don't think it's fair to the author to disclose all the particulars on this blog. If you can't afford the book, go to your library. It's worth giving it a try. If you don't know what to eat, period, I recommend "Food Combining for Health by Jean Joyce & Doris Grant". Voila my opinion.

It is really neat to read all the comments and the way it has worked for many people.

Has anyone had any experience or know of the response in pre-teens and younger teens? is the only group I don't know about, not having seem much posting.

Seth Roberts actually answers questions at his forums, and I have an interview with him on my blog. It is nice to have him so available.

I am a former sceptic. I have lost 22 lbs in 11 weeks. Don't think about it, just do it.

think about it this way: when you eat things that are delicious to you, your cave-brain thinks: "if he can find what he likes, there must be plenty of food. so let's put a few pounds of fat away in the belly, for bad times"

when you take calories without flavor, as shangri-la diet suggests, your brain thinks: "oh, the guy eats whatever he finds. food must be scarce. lets burn a little fat, and lets keep him full all the time."

maybe your set point could be even more reduced by eating things you find disgusting.

Began the diet almost a week ago--have gained 3 pounds--am eating less and gaining weight--am going off the diet today--my friend who has been on it for 3 bottles worth of oil has also gained 3 pounds over that time--hope it works well for others--for us... not so good

The best way for me is to eat a healthy breakfast (whole wheat/grain cereal with skim milk and fruit), then have a hot mug of sugar water around 10 am, then the oil at around 2. Then I eat a healthy meal with my family, and want no dessert or snacks. I am down 5+ pounds in less than two weeks.

I started reading the comments on this article and stopped dead in my tracks; what a bunch of negativity!
While I agree the ideas are unconventional and sound ludicrus, knowing what we do about the metabolism (look at how many obese people are out there getting their stomach's stapled by advice of a physician!) I'd say don't knock it unless you feel you're an expert and know it all. Look back to history; do you remember how absurd atkins was? Point in case, keep the anger out of your reaction and don't dismiss something until you've given it an unbiased read (the WHOLE book my friend) You can always take something from them; this "diet" encourages making smart food choices and being active too.

ELOO is a great way to help blood cholesterol, and is very beneficial to your body. How many of you drink soda?

~Jess (Finished all 190 pages. Lost 4 lbs so far in 1 week now at 130, 5ft 5.5in via enhanced appetite control, smart food choices,and activity)

I have been playing with this for a few days. Believe it or not AS AN APPETITE SUPPRESENT, this seems to work on me. Also, the constant sipping of sugar water means the constant avoiding of food; you have to wait one hour after drinking the water or oil... so as a consequence, there are many non-food hours. The oil consumption reminds me of 1985 when I was at Diet Center. Same idea.

Started this on Sept 1. Did the sugar water first and felt high and then crashed with an awful headache. Continued with the ELOO all labor day weekend and did find my cravings to lessen and apetite down a bit. Will not weigh myself again until 9/9 because I tend to loose inches before pounds. I take the ELOO first thing in morning and then an hour or so later have my coffee and found I am not hungry for breakfast. At lunch eat healthy and once I get home is when I am tempted. That is when I take more ELOO. Any comment on this method?
Tempted to try taking it before bed like a recent comment to see how that works.
Wish me luck! I need to loose 25-35 poounds.

Well, it is still working for me, seventy pounds lost.

Does anyone have any tips for getting the oil down? I have tried several times and every time I almost throw up. I seriously can't do it. I've tried the sugar water but it doesn't seem to work as well as the times I have been able to choke down the oil. Also, I guess I assume the oil has more health benefit than the sugar so that seems to better route if it's doable. Thanks.

my brother was an offensive lineman in college and weighed 300lbs. Now with his desk job at the IRS he went up to 360. With this diet in 4 months he has lost over 40lbs. Myself, I am a full time student and full time EMT. I have lost 12lbs in 2 months. Against all medical advice that I have accumulated in my little brain this "way of life" is a pure miracle. The lbs just keep falling off. You have nothing to lose if you try it!! Seth Roberts is awesome!!! I just feel better with more energy and a clear head...I push food away now...who knew?

Melinda...I had a problem with the oil...use a shot glass, it will hold 2 tbsps of oil. take it like a shot and chase it with water. it works!!! I drink a nalgene bottle of water before and a nalgene bottle after it kills the taste and you get most of your water in for the day.

ruth, along with the shot glass, have a glass of hot water ready (not so hot as to burn, just to thin the oil). Get the oil in your mouth, and before swallowing drink the hot water, and swallow it all at once. This system has worked great for me. I, too, almost gagged when first taking the oil. Good luck , and along with suppressed appetite, you will begin to notice very soft and smooth skin. a great bonus! susan

Well, I am at the 10 day mark, and I am down from 209 to 205. So that's pretty freakin cool!
To be honest, the appetitte supressing didn't --really-- kick in until a few days ago. Also, I am totally uncomfortable, intellectually, with not eating regularly. So I am eating 3 small meals. Or 2. Today was 2. I am using grape seed oil, becuase I have some, and it's flavorless.
To those who don't like the oil taste/feel: THATS GOOD! You will begin to associate bad taste with calories!

Mark, glad you are getting results.

Guys, do you think it's ok if I just eat the sugar cubes,as slowly as possible and with plenty of water?
Sugar dissolved in water is quite unpleasant for me...best,sweetie

I went looking for Canola oil and safflower oil and really thought I'd find at least one of them in Sainsbury's or Waitrose, but no! I can't find this extra light olive oil - not worded like that anyway. I ended up buying Mild and light olive oil by Bertoli as I've a hunch it's the same thing but just to be sure can someone tell me if that is the UK version of extra light olive oil which I'm assuming is the US version. As for this mild and light olive oil, it does taste pretty flavourless. Every time I go to take a spoonful I have to take a deep breath and prepare myself - and then every time after I swallow I think to myself, that's not too bad at all. Seth Roberts mentions Disgustology in his book and I see what that means. We used to take a spoonful of cod liver oil as kids which is vile tasting and it's probably the subconcious memory of this which each time makes me think I might gag if I take this olive oil, but I don't and reaslise after that it has no taste and isn't gagworthy at all!