The McDougall Program for Maximum Weight Loss

While many people new to the McDougall Program are familiar with Dr. McDougall's book, "The Starch Solution," some may not be familiar with "The McDougall Program for Maximum Weight Loss." This book was written specifically for those trying to lose weight who may or may not have other health problems.

The McDougall Program for Maximum Weight Loss which is often abbreviated as MWL, is a stricter form of the regular McDougall Program as outlined in the Starch Solution and other books by Dr. McDougall.

Here are the guidelines:

You may eat:

potatoes and sweet potatoes
winter squash (butternut, acorn, pumpkin, etc.)
whole grains (oats, brown rice, wheat berries, millet, corn, etc.)
legumes (beans, peas, lentils)
leafy greens (spinach, turnip greens, kale, collards, lettuce, cabbage, etc.)
non-starchy vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, etc.)
fruit (limit to 2 per day)

Do not eat:

meat, poultry, fish, seafood
dairy products
eggs
oil
flour products (bread, pasta, cake, cookies, pies, flour tortillas, etc.)
high fat plant foods (avocados, olives, tofu, tempeh, nuts, coconut, seeds)
dried fruit

Tips:

Make non-starchy vegetables one-third to one-half of each meal

Graze: divide your meals into 6-8 smaller meals per day so you don't get hungry between meals.

Use simple sugar sparingly

Try to exercise, but don't overdo it if you are obese when starting out as you might injure yourself. As you begin to lose weight you can add exercise to your program. Walking is a good exercise for the severely obese.

*I highly recommend buying the book "The McDougall Program for Maximum Weight Loss," or checking it out of the library.