
The Grey Sheet Diet is a food plan used by Overeaters Anonymous, a Twelve Step fellowship. The diet is high in protein and low in carbohydrates, and followers are instructed to eliminate all sugar, alcohol, and grain products. The diet also recommends vitamin supplements and artificial sweeteners. According to the diet plan, one cup of vegetables can include alfalfa sprouts, artichokes, asparagus, bean sprouts, bok choy, broccoli, and more. So, bean sprouts are allowed on the Grey Sheet Diet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet type | Low-carb |
| Food plan | High protein, low carbohydrates |
| Food to be avoided | Sugary desserts, alcoholic beverages, grain products |
| Meals | Three weighed and measured meals a day |
| Food allowed between meals | Black coffee, tea, diet soda |
| Vitamin supplements | Calcium, vitamin E, B vitamins |
| Calories | 1,200 calories per day |
| Bean sprouts | Allowed |
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What You'll Learn
- The Grey Sheet Diet is a food plan from Overeaters Anonymous
- It involves three weighed and measured meals a day with nothing in between
- It eliminates all sugars, sugary desserts, alcohol, and grain products
- It is a high-protein and low-carbohydrate diet
- It is a strict diet and may not be suitable for everyone

The Grey Sheet Diet is a food plan from Overeaters Anonymous
The Grey Sheet Diet is more than just a low-carb diet; it is a lifestyle change based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. It involves complete abstinence from man-made sugars, starches, and any foods with more than a 10% carbohydrate content. The diet focuses on ordinary foods found in grocery stores and restaurants, and it is said to be a challenging but effective way to lose weight and make positive life changes.
The specific foods allowed on the Grey Sheet Diet are listed in an OA pamphlet. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the plan includes one protein and one fruit or vegetable. Some examples of allowed proteins are beef, chicken, fish, eggs, and tofu. Vegetables include bean sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, and cucumbers. Fruits are not specifically listed but are likely included as part of a well-rounded meal plan.
Bean sprouts are allowed on the Grey Sheet Diet, as they are listed as one of the vegetables in the OA pamphlet. However, some people may find it challenging to weigh and measure certain foods, including bean sprouts, due to their light weight and bulky volume. Overall, the Grey Sheet Diet is a strict and disciplined eating plan that has helped many people lose weight and gain control over their eating habits.
While the Grey Sheet Diet has been successful for some, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist before starting any new diet plan to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your individual needs.
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It involves three weighed and measured meals a day with nothing in between
The Grey Sheet Diet is a strict diet plan that was first introduced by Overeaters Anonymous in 1966. It involves three weighed and measured meals a day with nothing in between. The diet is high in protein and low in carbohydrates, and followers are instructed to eliminate all sugar, sugary desserts, alcoholic beverages, and grain products. No snacks are allowed between meals, and only black coffee, tea, and diet soda are permitted.
The diet's guidelines recommend specific portion sizes for proteins, fruits, and vegetables. For example, breakfast consists of one serving of protein and one serving of fruit. This could be two boiled eggs or a cup of plain, unsweetened yoghurt with a cup of strawberries. Lunch includes one protein and one vegetable serving, along with a small salad of salad greens with no dressing or three raw vegetables.
The Grey Sheet Diet's precise rules and portion sizes can make it easier to follow than diets that require counting calories or fat grams. It emphasises fresh produce and lean protein, increasing the intake of fibre and essential vitamins and minerals while reducing the consumption of saturated fat, trans fats, and sodium.
However, the diet's strict nature may be off-putting or challenging to adhere to for some individuals. Its restriction on grains goes against the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recommendations to include whole grains in the daily diet, and it may increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies if not properly managed.
While the Grey Sheet Diet can lead to weight loss, it does not address other lifestyle factors such as regular exercise, which are crucial for long-term, sustainable weight management. If an individual returns to their previous eating habits after following the diet, they may regain the weight they lost.
As for bean sprouts, while there is no explicit mention of them in the context of the Grey Sheet Diet, they are generally considered a healthy addition to one's diet. Bean sprouts are a good source of insoluble fibre, which can aid digestion and may provide benefits for heart health by reducing the risk factors associated with heart disease. They also contain lower levels of gluten and antinutrients, further supporting digestion.
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It eliminates all sugars, sugary desserts, alcohol, and grain products
The Grey Sheet Diet is a food plan created by Overeaters Anonymous. It is now used by Greysheeters Anonymous (GSA), a splinter group from Overeaters Anonymous. The diet is based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The Grey Sheet Diet is a low-carb diet that eliminates all sugars, sugary desserts, alcohol, and grain products. It involves eating three weighed and measured meals a day with nothing in between meals except black coffee, tea, and diet soda. The diet is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. It recommends lean proteins and fresh produce, and it restricts grains, refined carbohydrates, added sugars, processed foods, and alcohol.
The diet's restriction on grains goes against the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recommendation to consume whole grains daily. The recommended grains include brown rice, whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, and whole-grain pasta. The diet may increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies, especially B vitamins, magnesium, and selenium.
The Grey Sheet Diet recommends vitamin supplements, especially those containing calcium, vitamin E, and B vitamins. It emphasizes portion sizes and precise rules, which some may find easier to follow than diets that require counting calories or fat grams. The diet's structure can help individuals lose weight and make positive life changes.
While the diet addresses food intake, it does not encourage other lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, which can impact long-term, sustainable weight loss. Returning to previous eating habits after following the Grey Sheet Diet may result in weight regain.
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It is a high-protein and low-carbohydrate diet
The Grey Sheet Diet is a high-protein and low-carbohydrate diet. It involves eating three weighed and measured meals a day, with nothing in between meals except black coffee, tea, and diet soda. The diet focuses on eliminating all sugar, sugary desserts, alcoholic beverages, and grain products such as bread, cereal, or noodles. It recommends increasing your intake of fresh produce and lean protein, which can provide various essential vitamins and minerals while reducing saturated fat, trans fats, and sodium consumption.
The diet's restriction on grains goes against the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recommendations to include whole grains in your daily diet. However, it aligns with ketogenic diet principles, which involve drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat.
Bean sprouts, a product of sprouting beans, grains, nuts, and seeds, are allowed on the ketogenic diet. They are a good source of insoluble fiber, which aids digestion and may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels. Additionally, sprouting increases nutrient levels and makes it easier for the body to absorb these nutrients.
While the Grey Sheet Diet does not specifically mention bean sprouts, they could be considered a vegetable serving or part of a salad. The diet includes other types of sprouts, such as broccoli sprouts, which are recommended as a supplement for individuals with type 2 diabetes due to their high antioxidant content.
Overall, the Grey Sheet Diet's high-protein and low-carbohydrate approach, combined with the potential inclusion of bean sprouts, can contribute to weight loss and improved health outcomes. However, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist before starting any new diet.
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It is a strict diet and may not be suitable for everyone
The Grey Sheet Diet is a strict diet that may not be suitable for everyone. It is a meal plan that received its name from the grey-colored paper on which it was printed. Distributed by Overeaters Anonymous to its members until 1986, the Grey Sheet Diet was designed to help control food addiction and promote weight loss. Although Overeaters Anonymous no longer endorses the diet, other organizations, including GreySheeters Anonymous, continue to encourage new members to follow it.
The diet is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. It involves eating three weighed and measured meals a day, with nothing in between meals except black coffee, tea, and diet soda. It emphasizes fresh produce and lean protein, increasing fiber and essential vitamins and minerals while decreasing saturated fat, trans fats, and sodium intake. It requires complete abstinence from man-made sugars, starches, and any foods with more than a 10% carbohydrate content. This includes eliminating all sugar and sugary desserts, alcoholic beverages, and grain products such as bread, cereal, or noodles.
While some individuals may find the strict guidelines appealing and easier to follow than diets requiring calorie counting, others may find them restrictive and challenging to adhere to. The diet's restriction on grains goes against the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recommendations to consume whole-grain foods daily, and it may increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies.
The Grey Sheet Diet may not be a healthy choice for everyone, and it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist before starting any new diet, especially one as stringent as this. Making significant dietary changes can be challenging, and it is important to ensure that any diet plan you undertake is safe and suitable for your individual needs and health status.
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Frequently asked questions
The Grey Sheet is a low-carbohydrate food plan, originally published in 1972. It involves eating three weighed and measured meals a day, with nothing in between but black coffee, tea, or diet soda. It is a strict diet for an offshoot of Overeaters Anonymous, also known as GreySheeters Anonymous (GSA).
The Grey Sheet Diet includes ordinary foods found in grocery stores and restaurants. It allows for complete abstinence from man-made sugars and starches and any foods with more than a 10% carbohydrate content. The diet suggests eating foods such as beef, chicken, fish, eggs, vegetables, and fruits.
Yes, bean sprouts are included in the list of allowed vegetables on the Grey Sheet Diet.
It is recommended to find a sponsor and attend meetings, as well as commit to the entire program of GreySheeters Anonymous. Additionally, all food must be weighed and measured, and salad should be measured at all times. It is also suggested to write down food intake on a daily basis and avoid skipping meals.






































