Whether it’s being used or praised by celebrities like Rebel Wilson or by TikTokers/ health gurus, many of us have likely heard of the Mayr Method diet. We checked in with registered dietitians and health experts to learn more about its history, what it entails, the foods someone on this diet would eat, and more. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, registered dietitian at Balance One Supplements, and Erin Quense, MS, RDN, registered dietitian and nutrition expert at Strong Home Gym.
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The History of The Mayr Method
This tried-and-true diet for many, Best explains, was first developed by Dr. Franz Xaver May almost a full century ago. "The Mayr Method is a 100-year-old approach to weight loss that was developed in the 1920s by an Australian physician," she says. Best notes that the foundation of this diet is to "improve gut health as a means of promoting weight loss and overall health." Quense adds that the Mayr Method is "based on the idea that eliminating certain foods, while eating more alkaline foods, and incorporating mindful eating practices, will result in weight loss."
What Does It Entail?
The diet requires individuals to cut out "refined carbs, added sugar, soda and coffee, gluten, and dairy," Best says. It also encourages alkaline foods like "apples, bananas, broccoli, kale, salmon, oats, nuts, chia, and some specific herbs and spices." This is not an exhaustive list, she stresses, "but provides insight to the focus on whole plant foods and natural beverages such as green tea and water." This approach also requires that those following it practice "mindful eating," Best adds. To do this, she says "they chew each bite of food 40 to 60 times and avoid distractions while eating." Quense agrees, saying that the diet plan includes "avoiding and limiting certain foods, such as gluten and dairy."
Is It Safe For Weight Loss?
While this question may be different from person to person as many cite their success from it, Quense advises against the Mayr Method. This, she says, is because there is a difference between a diet causing weight loss, and healthy weight loss. "As a registered dietitian, I wouldn't recommend this diet at face value for weight loss, for a few reasons," she notes.
Firstly, while she acknowledges that this diet "may be helpful for some with allergies or sensitivities," dairy products and foods with gluten offer "a lot of great nutrition and restricting them could over time lead to deficiencies." Next, Quense analyzes how the plan "includes eating alkaline foods including nuts, fruits and vegetables, and seeds." These foods are "wonderful to include in your meals and snacks every day," she points out, but adds that there's "no scientific evidence that they will raise your pH levels" as the diet claims.
While Quense wouldn't suggest this diet as a weight loss plan, she still believes "there are some tools promoted in the plan that can help with weight loss when combined with an overall healthy lifestyle." To lose weight healthily, Quense suggests considering the following aspects of the Mayr Method Diet: "eating whole and healthy foods like fruits, veggies, and nuts, limiting processed foods and added sugars, and practicing mindful eating by eating meals and snacks with little distractions."
