I appreciate your comments.
Let me clarify what may be a very important issue..
There is not one "McDougall Program" but principles and guidelines that we have to apply based on someones personal health issues and of course, their own lifestyle and preferences. The program always has to be adapted to the individual and their specific situation.
It is also important to understand the nature of "scientific discourse". If you put 12 scientists in a room with a recent research paper that they may all agree on the basic premise of, they will come up with 12 similar but somewhat different opinions of the research and how to best apply it.
As, I have also said before...
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=14076"One of the great things about the professional team Dr McDougall has now put together is that all us and all of our individual messages and information supports each other and the bigger picture we all deliver"
This is true, even if we do not agree 100% on everything, as it is what makes us all better at what we do.
As I often say here in this forum, my recommendations for most people who have not achieved their health goals yet, is to follow the recommendations of the MWL program. It is not just for weight and it is the most effective program and has the clearest definitions of what is approved and what isn't. All of this is important for anyone who is not where they want to be yet.
As I wrote about a year ago in this thread, on
viewtopic.php?t=8316One of the main reasons for not being successful that I listed was ...
"Not understanding the difference between something that is "allowed" on occasion in small quantities, and something that is "recommended."
My personal and professional experience over the last 2 1/2 decades of helping people achieve their health goals is that the simpler and easier they keep the program and its definitions, the better.
Variety vs Simplicity: The Key to Success
viewtopic.php?t=8179In addition, the less the use of processed and refined foods, the better. And, most importantly the more the limit (or avoidance) of any food product that should be limited, the better. Many people find that if they do use these products, it becomes difficult for them to limit their use and the use of them encourages their over consumption of other foods that are not in their best interest and therefore, avoiding them in the first place, is their best approach. I hear this time and time again, even in this forum and on these boards.
Items like nuts, soy, juice and sugar are also "allowed' on the program but for many people they would not be recommended or even advisable to consume at all.
If someone is successful and the program is working for them however they are defining it, then I only wish them the best and continued success.
However, if they are struggling with achieving their goals, then they may want to "tighten up the belt" in regard to what is "allowed" and what is "recommended."
In Health
Jeff