Fat Loss 4 Idiots

FatLoss4Idiots (formerly WeightLoss4Idiots) was released in late 2004. The diet is based on an on-line generator that will create daily meal plans based on your food preferences. The diet follows a 14 day cycle - 11 days of planned meals, followed by 3 days of “cheat” meals. The diet has been called many things - the “Fools Diet”, the “diet for idiots” - and many other condescending terms.

Meal Plan

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Meal #1: Flavored Oatmeal Meal #2: Tuna Salad Meal #3: Sandwich (any type) Meal #4: Scrambled Eggs	Meal #1: Banana Milk Shake Meal #2: Chicken Meal #3: Scrambled Eggs [and] Mixed Vegetables Meal #4: Cottage Cheese	Meal #1: Chicken Meal #2: Fruit Salad Meal #3: Fish Filet Meal #4: Cottage Cheese

Fat Loss 4 Idiots food is made up of lean proteins, fruit and vegetables, and the sources of fat come from whole foods (such as cottage cheese or eggs). There are some starchy carbohydrates (such as oats and pasta). The day is divided into 4 meals that should be eaten at a minimum of 2 1/2 hours apart. There is no calorie or carb counting, no limit on portion size - Fat Loss 4 Idiots says you “just eat short of being full”.

Nutritional Breakdown

It is difficult to obtain an exact caloric breakdown because meal sizes are based around eating short of being full. An analysis of a typical days meal indicates the diet is high in protein, low in fat, and with reduced carbohydrates. However all the foods listed are good choices.

Weight Loss

Fat Loss for Idiots claims 9 pounds lost every 11 days. However this is extremely unlikely (and unsafe). This weight loss is often possible during an induction (typically a phase where you drop out starchy carbs). The weight lost is a mixture of water and fat (and possibly muscle). This kind of weight loss would be difficult to sustain, and would almost certainly be accompanied by a drop in metabolism.

The diet is a budget offering (at $27), and provides little in the way of recipes or ideas on meal preparation. There also appears to be no support of any kind from the site.