The 5 Bite Diet

There seems to be a lot of interest in the 5 Bite Diet, so I will let you know my progress each week. I started the diet one week ago today. I weighed this morning and lost 19 pounds last week. I'll weigh once a week and update this blog each Monday night and let you know how it's going. I'm also very interested to see if I'll be able to keep the weight off. That's always been my problem. I'll keep you posted!

Weighed again yesterday. Lost 5 pounds last week. Total weight lost in the first two weeks is 24 pounds. I'm still a 5-bite believer and don't get hungry during the day anymore...On to next week!

I have not read this book, but I also happened to have Dr. Lewis as my doctor: this was three years ago. I mentioned I wanted to lose weight: he told me about this diet. I went around and asked some other doctors: they said as long as you take a multi-vitaman with mineral supplements it's OK: your body uses either new food or stored fat: it doesn't care. I talked to a nutritionist who said it was just an extreme form of portion control: if you take in less calories than you burn you'll lose weight. So I did a modified version (ten bites per meal) and lost 30 lbs in 2 months. First week was tough then you get used to it: the only trouble is not snacking. You watch people (especially those overweight) when you're on this diet and you really notice how much they eat: it's just a numbers game, and Dr. Lewis has tried to simplify it with the whole "bite" thing. Never did any kind of diet before or read any books, but from what I've researched you lose one pound for every 3500 calories more that you burn versus take in: that's pretty much the whole process. I told a ton of people about it afterwards: everyone that stuck too it lost the weight. Most though couldn't do it: they just liked eating more than losing weight. Human nature I guess.

Hey Clark_72 how's the diet going?

I went to this doctor not knowing about his books and he told me I had to lose 17 pounds when I run 5 days a week and weigh 117 pounds. I checked my BMI and I am normal and if I lose 17 pounds I will be underweight. He is crazy.

5 bites? That seems a little ridiculous. That doesn't take into account the size of the person.

I have been doing this diet for a few weeks now and have lost a substancial amount of weight. It is not a diet for you to stay on.. It is for those poeple that are overweight and may need to lose alot of weight in a short period of time. Excess weight in my case was leading to huge numbers in my cholesterol levels as well as me being constantly tired and feeling sluggish. I totally believe in this diet and I can do anything for 6 weeks if it help with my weight loss and getting on track to a much healthier me... Do noy knock it until you have tried it!!!

i think it works perfectly i im doing it and now im skinny and healthy

Wow, there seems to be some fear around this diet... Dr. Lewis is not saying stick to 5 bites forever - Use it to get down to a healthier weight quickly and then adjust accordingly to stay there. It's healthy and it works.

Dr. Lewis is actually my doctor but I had no idea he had written a book - he had told me recently that I could stand to lose some weight (I was 165lbs/ 6'tall and pretty lean already). Like many of you, I thought "that's crazy, I'm healthy!" - but I had also just read a lot regarding the benefits of a Calorie Restricted (CR) lifestyle (CR promotes longevity, health, and delays the onset of disease) - so I decided to give it a try.

Now I'm at about 145lbs and I feel great! I have more energy, a better atitude and feel more focused than I have in years...

Say what you want - but it works. Sure you'll lose the weigh, but the goal here is health. Get down to your ideal weight and stay there. This diet works. Don't get bullied by the naysayers - We live in the most obese country in the world... I no longer trust what the government defines as 'healthy'.

starvation is not eating last time i checkd 4 all you people who know so much losing weight is about caloric intake

I was referred to the lap band and am being told that I am being referred to this program instead. I am concerned with the hunger pangs, don’t you feel hungry all of the time? The reason I was considering lap band is because they physically limit the stomach space, which would leave a “full” feeling. If you only eat 5 bites of food, do you still feel hungry?

By a random change in my health plan Dr. Lewis became my primary doctor. At first I thought his diet was crazy but I read his book and tried it. I've lost 22 pounds so far and I'm doing just fine.
I no longer think he's crazy, I challenged my preconceptions about very low calorie diets, hunger, lean mass preservation and social pressures to eat in groups. In the long run, however, I'm loving being able to loss the fat all around my body. I look forward to testing my labs in the future. I also look a whole lot better naked!!!..8-)
This eating plan is not permanent, I'm knowledgeable about healthy eating, and when I reach my goals I have no fears about eating more sensible portions...you can conquer your out of control feeding patterns!

mya reaction was whatttttttttt ajjjjjajjajja

Yeh, I'm with most of yall. These rules sound a little silly to me.

But I guess I should read the book or see the author in an interview to have a better perspective.

I researched this 5BD diet ad nauseam (so to speak) first -- even attending bariatric surgery symposiums (since I was considering LapBand surgery on my doctor's recommendation) for first-hand information. When I learned from patients that have undergone bypass and LapBand procedures this is exactly how they eat and have lost massive amounts of weight, I was convinced. And they were all so much healthier and happier than they were before. I also learned I didn't want to undergo major surgery.

I have been on the 5BD for about two months and have lost 31 pounds so far. Sometimes I slip and have more than 5 bites and probably could have lost more, but I have learned so much about myself in this process -- especially what mass quantities I ate before that I never really even tasted and I was never really hungry. The feeling of finally controlling what food I eat without it controlling me is remarkable after many years of the tail wagging the dog.

The first week was tough for me, but every day got easier. I still have moments where I need to really focus and keep my eye on the goal because it's usually when I am tired or bored and I just want "something" and am really not physically hungry. It's interesting that I now crave healthy foods and not the sweets I was addicted to. I am now so hyper-aware and now understand how "thin" people eat. I must have been absent that day in class when they taught that -- but, hey -- I'm obviously just a later bloomer and it's never too late to learn.

I encourage you to read the book and make your own judgments. It's not for everyone, but if you want to finally get that monkey of overeating off your back, you will certainly be inspired by what Dr. Lewis has to say.

i was reading through all of these comments and in my opinion i think more than half of you are wrong. i think this is a great idea. its way better then getting surgury done. and if you dont agree with it then its ok you dont have to. but dont argue about it this is for people who want to lose weight quick. no one is forcing u to do it.lol.wow it amazes me how many people sit here on their computer and argue about things like this. i just had to comment this one because i pass through comments like these sometimes and it aggravates me that you have nothing better to do with your life then to argue about a diet. news flash:WHO CARES!!!!

The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet (on FOX) is about to air this as a NEW DIET! Unemployed people and stay-at-home parents, BEWARE! It's hitting the daytime tv shows now!

Oh PAM (see 2 comments above)...it ENRAGES people like us because it's misleading as HEALTHY and can actually damage your body through starvation. We all know the most sure-fire way to lose weight is DIET AND EXERCISE. Bar none. Pam, if you want to lose weight, try NOT FAST as your body won't keep it off and can possibly get sick. Your anger is misplaced...those leaving comments here are merely worried for the well-being of those that partake in these FAST WEIGHT LOSS METHODS. It's self abuse...your anger is misguided.

Well heres my Opinion...
I am only 13 and im really over weight (no im not 115 pounds and say im fat i really am!) and i watched this doctor this morning with my grandma on The Mike and Juliet Show and i was like, "Wow this could really help me lose weight! Then I can stop being homeschooled and go back to regular school like a normal kid and not get made fun of!" I can't wait to start this tomorrow I hope it works! and its seems so easy unlike other diets were you have to count calories and exercise all the time cause its hard for me to exercise plus i cant drive so i cant get to a gym and work out! and counting calories is the hardest thing for you when your a teen and always go out with the few friends you have and in a restraunt they dont tell you calories.. But i swear if this diet works Dr. Alwin Lewis will be my new Hero!! if you would like to reply to my message or think this is a bad idea for a girl my age
Thank you so much!!
I Love you Dr. Alwin Lewis!!

I think the five bite way of eating is great. I am on it. Enough said. I will let you all know how I am doing.

Okay guys, I just have to say one thing!!! Americans eat WAAAAAAAY too much food. So much that we think that five bites couldn't possibly be enough food to keep us alive. The fact of the matter is, five bites is actually a sensible amount of food. Obviously the diet requires you to take five sensible bites. You are not supposed to try to fit an entire burger in your mouth! You guys think that this diet is crazy, but most people that are morbidly obese have a hard time feeling full. Once they get through the first few days of eating a more sensible amount, then their stomach has shrunk and they don't feel starved. Did you guys know that it's actually healtheir not to eat until you are full? It's better because your food takes a while to digest and you feel full a long while after you are done eating! I honestly don't understand what the big controversy is! It's really not a diet, it's just eating less. Which is what ALL Americans need to do!

For anyone actually on the diet or tried it and hated it, I would love to hear from you personally.

bonadea99@hotmail.com

I started the 5 bite diet yesterday after reading clark72's comments. I hope she continues to update her progress weekly. Even if she dosen't I will. Does anyone know how she did past week 3?

Bravo, Sonia. I completely agree with you. I've been on the 5bd for about three months and it's amazing. I am monitored by a doctor and I have actually decreased my blood pressure medication already. For the past 40 years, I have been on a gajillion diets/pills/programs and never felt like this.

The first couple days are difficult. I wrote down feelings and thoughts that just came pouring out. I had craved for a program which is simple without all the hoopla and packaged foods and nonsense and eating stuff because it's only 1 point. Ugh.

I remember going to McDonald's when I was little. You know the little cheeseburgers they sell now? THAT was their only cheeseburger size when I was little -- not the 1/4 pounder, double-decker versions they have now. We eat copious amounts of food and we don't need it. Per my doctor's suggestion, I was contemplating lapband and chose to bypass the bypass because I didn't want to undergo major surgery. So glad I found this.

You can knock it all you want, but this is so preferable to remaining morbidly obese.

I surprisingly am trying this diet need to drop 10 befor my wedding plus I'd Like to eat less an then loose some an be able to stay small an stay thin an eat healthy

Wow Sally, your story sounds a lot like mine but I've been struggling with my weight for the last 8 years (since my first child). My doctor would not approve me for surgery though my weight has been steadily climbing 4 6 years now. I am using this blog as my journal and you blogers as my motivation/support group. At 28 I am on blood pressure and cholesterol medication and prozac which helps control appitite, (but somehow I still manage 2 gain weight) and truthfully I just don't want to die! I want to see my kids graduate and meet my grand babies so I am commited to the 5BD ad I hope it helps me change my life, wish me luck.
Hey Sally, whats your total weight loss at the three month mark? Good luck to you all!

hey well i know people are thinkin this is crazy right and maybe it is to people who are pertty fit but for some people this is a last resort and by the way my nana tried this diet and it dose work and fast its all bout proportion so before you go off and say all this crap bout it realy think wat it dose for people and how it could help

hey well i know people are thinkin this is crazy right and maybe it is to people who are pertty fit but for some people this is a last resort and by the way my nana tried this diet and it dose work and fast its all bout proportion so before you go off and say all this crap bout it realy think wat it dose for people and how it could help

I have a question for those of you who have tried this diet or bought the book. I would like to start this diet. I am at least 80lbs overweight. I went to buy the book but the store does not carry it in stock, but can order it if I prepay (no returns). Is it worth $25 for the book? Don't I just eat 5 bites of anything at lunch & 5 bites of anything at dinner? or is there more to it?

Ok ppl! Starting today...ill try to do weekly updates =D...

(i have not read the book...all i know is...5 for lunch...5 for dinner)

wish me luck!!!

Started this 5 bite diet yesterday. I'm keeping a journal so I can come back at some point and let people know in detail how this has worked. I am keeping strictly to 5 bites for lunch, 5 for dinner, no breakfast, a multi-vitamin and only calorie free liquid. Mainly I drink water, but have had some decaf coffee black today.
Someone had a question about buying the book. I don't know if there is more specific info involved in the diet, but this doctor said to make sure 2 of the bites each day are of a "high quality protein". So, I had some tuna yesterday. I think that's important for people who don't eat meat or who planned on all 10 bites being carbs. Oh, and make sure to take a daily vitamin.
So far, I am not as hungry as I thought I would be. I really thought I would be struggling and in agony. I am very overweight, and I need to lose a large amount of weight. So, the not being hungry all the time part is crucial. If I can avoid surgery, I want to do that. I have to take drastic measures at this point, so I really don't have to worry about any of the issues people were worried about, the only thing I have to worry about is losing lots of weight. This doctor said it best when he said "there has to be a means to an end". So, the whole point of this thing is to LOSE WEIGHT. It's not something people do forever, but it has to be better than what I was doing, and I'm sure it will shrink the size of my stomach so I will be satisfied with normal size portions.
Wish me luck!

Tam- I bought my book on Amazon.com. I found it really helpful because Dr. Lewis goes more in-depth and answers a lot of those frequently asked questions. And some of the things/ideas just jump out at you. I have a lot to lose, too, but am steadily getting there. It's fabulous.

Hi Tina, I've been on the 5BD for just under 2 weeks now and I am down 11 pounds. I have modified it in more ways than one and am still loosing weight. Some days, I have a 5 bite breakfast and as long as my lunch and dinner have less than 300 calories (usually pre packaged) then I'll eat the whole thing and I only drink water. I wouldn't advise anyone to count calories because it can be frustrating & discouraging. After week 4, I'm gonna stick strickly to 5 bites 4 lunch and dinner and compare one month to the other. Stay encouraged and lets all prolong our lives. Good luck to u all and I'll keep u posted on my progress.

OK, I'm the MALE 5 bite trier here. I have been on it now for three days and will update weekly and give a guys perspective. I dont have the book but Im doing the multi-vitamin in the morning and 5 bites for lunch and dinner and believe me, I am stretching my mouth to cram as much as I can in for each bite. I have become very overweight and it seems once you start gaining weight that weight starts gaining a lot faster the bigger you get. I must be around 335lbs right now, which blows my mind considering I used to feel overweight at 245lb. So I have to lose about 185lbs to get down to where I want to be. I need to be get down to at least 160lbs or lower. I cant stand having to buy shirts in the big and tall stores, I cant stand not being able to wear jeans and always wearing warm up pants. I didnt think I was that big, but when I come walking into a store and see my reflection in the door was a big wake up call. To add to the embarrassment, I bought the WII video game system and the WII fit workout console and the unit cant even weigh me anymore because Im over the limit. You know when you go into places and wonder if youre as big as that guy, well I have become the one you compare too and I cant stand it. My old habits (as of 3 days ago) were drinking beer and eating fast food all the time. Everytime I start to diet, (and I hate to say it), I need to see fast results or else I fall off the wagon quick so to speak. So far everything is going good, to be honest I havent been as hungry as I thought I would be. I cant see my calorie count being above 500 a day (maybe 600 but no more). LIke I said I am sticking right to plan, no deviation, 5 bites for lunch, 5 bites for dinner and a multivitamin. No beer, no sugar drinks and I am going to try to incorporate some exercise at some point, but Im not really an exerciser to begin with. SO I started Sunday NOV 30th at a weight of 335lbs (I think) and will update you all weekly on what Im eating and hows it going. AND WOW Sunday football and no beer and junkfood is going to be rough. Good luck to everyone else trying this and wish me the same and the weight should drop

Big Daddy - way to go! Good luck to you! Sounds like you're off to a great start and it only gets easier. And you sound extremely motivated which is great. I know how you feel - my goal was to not have to buy clothes at Lane Bryant all the time and now I am dipping into my "old" smaller clothes that I haven't worn for years. It's amazing. I eat protein (i.e., chicken) at every meal because it helps to satisfy me. Sometimes I save one bite and have one bite of a Snicker's bar which really satisfies my sweet tooth.

ebubble - great job!!

I've lost about 40 pounds so far and will keep going until I reach my goal.

yea...i really let myself go...i was 17 and i weighed 285..i had a back problem...and it was crazy...the pain was amazing...never had i felt something like that...someone said it might of been sciatica...or something like that...well they were gonna perform surgery on me...long stoory short..i lost alot of weight...but i did it the wrong way. i didnt no how to diet...i didnt no how to do the things ppl seem to no how to do...i stopped eating for a week...and honestly i lost a huge amount of weight...so i was like whatever...i got down to 230...i stopped goin to the chiropractor...and i had no knowledge of dieting..all i did was starve myself...of course i didnt do it cuz something is wrong in my head...but i did it to lose weight...noone told me it was gonna bite me in the ass haha...in time i gained it all back..and then some...so i stand before u at 335...a year ago i was back at 285ish...im 19...ima be 20 in april..so as u can see 'Big Daddy' im younger (no offence) but im doin this diet cuz..i wanna live to see 39 u no..im athletic...which means i can run at 335 for a longer time than most overweight ppl u no...i started yesterday...lol..i smoke weed...and i fucked up the first 2 days haha...i stop smoking weed...too..cuz u get the munchies...but...when i get down to whatever i feel comfortable...i hope some of yall can help me keep it off...by letting me no how to eat properly or watever...i am just like 'big daddy'...if i didnt see 20lbs weightloss in a day id be down about it...u no..(exaggertion lol)...i wouldnt go to food for comfort though...i just felt like...wtf...im not losing much...why am i gonna stay hungry..u no...and like most of us..i was like...oh...well ill just eat good today...and ill make it up tomorrow by eating a salad...but tomorrow never came...lol..well i dont wanna bore u...but thats just something about me and why im tryin the 5BD...

Hi big daddy, first I must say there is nothing wrong with being 335 as a man, I've never been atracted to a man under 300 pounds in all my life but as a big girl I do understand the health concerns and comfort issues that come with being heavy. Keep blooging when u need support or are feeling weak, all of us want to be healthy and happy. As for exercise, start off walking or something low impact. Thats what I do and it gives u a burst of energy & it'll motivate u to do more. Good luck to u, and give yourself a month or so before u even thinking about falling off the wagon. Keep us posted!

OK This is my first my update, Like I said I wasnt sure what my first initial weight was because my WII FIT board stops at 330lbs so I guesstimated 335lbs so it may have been higher but I'll use that as my starting point. WOW THIS IS GREAT, as on this morning I weigh 321 so thats 14lbs in a week (possibly more). SO I will be sticking to this more and maybe even try to not take as big bites as I was last week. Every bite I took last week was all I could fit in my mouth, I might try smaller bites this week and see if we can get this rolling even more. I would say everyday my calorie intake is a low of 400 to a high of 800 depending on what I ate that day. I find that mixing it up keeps me feeling fuller. The days I ate just meat, I felt hungrier quicker. For the most part I have not felt too hungry and if I can drop another 14lbs next week, then I will be under 300lbs in 3 weeks. I plan to stay on this diet because I find it better than the Protein diet because even though you only get 5 bites, I have the ability to eat different foods. I can eat out some and eat at home some. Another benefit I have found out is that I am saving a ton on money, that I used to spend on food. And when I do eat out, instead of spending $15, I spend $3 or $4. I dont know if these are mistakes or not but when I eat out, for example, at McDonalds, I buy a McRib and can eat that in 5 bites (like I said I go for the gusto on bites) so those 5 bites are equal to 450 calories, same as McNuggets, I can eat 2 in one bite so I buy a 10 pack and thats 420 calories for one meal. But I never eat out 2 times in a day so at home Im usually in the 250 calorie range. I found out at subway I can now buy a 6 inch sub and that last for about 8-9 of my 10 bites a day and only about 300 calories.

On a side note, I have read comments on this board and other 5 bite boards and there are some ignorant people out there about this. These are probably the people who only need to lose 10 pounds and there comments are dumb, yea so you can eat 2 cheeseburgers and a brownie in a day and YES YOU WILL LOSE WEIGHT IF THATS ALL YOU EAT IN 10 bites (that was some example from page one on this board and that would represent about 1/8th of what I was eating). I need to lose 1/2 the weight I have now so I can get down to 160lbs. I dont want to be going the slow route because then I will give up. When I get down to my goal weight I will return to a normal diet (and hopefully this small amount of food will be a normal diet), but will not fall into this food trap again (Knock on wood).

NOTE TO MVDB - STAY ON IT and give me weight updates since you and me are about the same weight, we can motivate each other because it will be a long road and you are in the prime of your life so stick with it.

Wow Big Daddy, sounds like you're doing great! I have shared your story with several people so even though u don't know us, we are pulling 4 u in Los Angeles! My honey is 6'4 and about 330-340 and when I told him about the 5BD, he very quickly blew me off and said that he couldn't do just 5 bites of anything. Even though he (for health reasons) needs to loose 80-100 pounds he has no discipline. I am gonna make him read your posts and hopefully it will motivate him to at least try the 5BD so please keep us updated on your progress its helping more people than u think.

i read on the books website that the total of all of the bites combined should be the size of 2 snicker bars.