Ultimate New York Diet Review

Diet Review

By Amy Paturel

Fitness trainer to busy CEOs, new moms, and top celebrity models, David Kirsch's Ultimate New York Diet promotes physical activity and provides specific workout recommendations for even the most time-crunched people. But with severe food restrictions and significant emphasis on supplements (which may or may not be helpful), the diet may be a recipe for disaster for some dieters. The detailed meal plans weigh in well below 1,000 calories during all three phases. And his lists of prohibited foods may be overwhelming and intimidating for readers. In fact, many dieters may fail the plan long before they reach the "lifestyle phase." Supplement mumbo jumbo aside, Kirsch's advice regarding high-fiber vegetables, lean meats, portion control and physical activity is solid. And he offers some fabulous workout instructions for those who live life on-the-go.

Is the Ultimate New York Diet healthy?

Yes and no. Kirsch's focus on fitness is healthy and his prescriptions for 10-minute workouts anytime, anywhere are a boon. But the calorie counts for each of the phases are dangerously low -- even for dieters. What's more, he advocates taking a variety of supplements, many of which are not supported by sound science, despite his claim that he "would never recommend something that might ruin your health." While a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement may help make up for nutrient deficiencies caused by low calorie intakes, Kirsch also endorses both Hoodia and 5-HTP even though nutrition experts argue that both are questionable in terms of effectiveness and may be downright harmful.

What do the experts say?

According to Andrea Giancoli, M.P.H., R.D., of the American Dietetic Association, The Ultimate New York Diet is overkill. "It lacks fruits and dairy foods and you can only have one serving of whole grains per day," she says. "But you're going to lose weight because of all the foods you're eliminating." The problem: There's a slew of research touting the health benefits of calcium, vitamin D and whole grains and this diet lacks vital nutrients. Giancoli is also concerned about Kirsch's detailed supplement recommendations, but she likes the plan's emphasis on exercise. "He uses a lot of encouraging tips for reducing stress," says Giancoli.

Who should consider the Ultimate New York Diet?

Giancoli hesitates to recommend the diet and supplement portions of the plan to anyone, but the exercise component is a great motivator for Americans who are pressed for time.

Bottom line

The Ultimate New York Diet is very restrictive and strives to compensate for dietary deficiencies with supplements. More than half of the book is devoted to meal plans, exercise instructions and recipes. So if you want to boost your fitness level and you're willing to make some hard-core dietary changes, you can lose weight on this diet –- if you can stay on it!

See the Ultimate New York Diet at a Glance
See What You Can Eat on the Ultimate New York Diet