Madeleine Hull
Dr. John McDougall was a physician, speaker, and best-selling author who advocated for the importance of a whole food, plant-based, starch-based diet to prevent, halt, reverse and heal chronic diseases. The McDougall Program is a 12-day online intensive program that has been helping individuals reverse chronic illnesses and take charge of their health for over 35 years. The program is based on the concept of the Starch Solution, which promotes the benefits of eating whole food, plant-based sources of complex carbohydrates. It includes personalized care, live lectures, expert guidance, and unwavering support from renowned health professionals. The McDougall diet excludes animal products and oils, focusing instead on nutrient-rich starches, grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dietary focus | Plant-based, starch-based |
| Foods included | Whole grains, whole-grain products (pasta, tortillas, whole-grain bread), vegetables, fruit |
| Foods excluded | Animal products (red meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, fish), oils (olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil) |
| Additional features | Spices, small amounts of sugar and salt |
| Exercise | Daily walks |
| Program duration | 12 days |
| Program format | Online, includes lectures, appointments, check-ins, cooking demonstrations, etc. |
| Program cost | Consult fee goes towards enrollment |
What You'll Learn
Dr. McDougall's diet is plant-based
The McDougall Program is a 12-day online intensive program that has been designed to help individuals reverse chronic illnesses and take charge of their health. It is based on the concept of the Starch Solution, which advocates for a diet centred around whole-food, plant-based sources of complex carbohydrates.
During the program, participants learn to adopt a sustainable and nourishing diet that includes nutrient-rich grains, legumes, and fruits. The program also provides personalised care, live lectures, expert guidance, and unwavering support.
Dr. McDougall's diet is based on the belief that food is powerful medicine and that a plant-based, starch-focused diet can unlock the body's healing potential. This approach has helped thousands of people improve their health and vitality, and in some cases, even save their lives.
The program encourages participants to consume a low-fat, high-fibre, minimally processed, starch-based diet with fruits and vegetables. It emphasises the importance of carbohydrates as the primary source of energy and highlights how plant foods provide all the essential amino acids, proteins, and calcium needed by the body.
By following the McDougall Program, individuals can take control of their health, improve their overall well-being, and experience the powerful healing effects of a plant-based diet.
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It includes whole grains and whole-grain products
The McDougall Program is a plant-based diet that includes whole grains and whole-grain products. It is a starch-based diet, with 90% starchy plant foods and 10% fruits and vegetables. This includes nutrient-rich whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat, as well as whole-grain products like pasta, tortillas, and whole-grain bread.
The program is based on the concept of the Starch Solution, an innovative dietary approach that focuses on the benefits of eating whole-food, plant-based sources of complex carbohydrates. It is designed to be a sustainable and nourishing diet, providing the body with essential nutrients while also being tasty and satisfying.
The program recommends that starches comprise at least 50%, and up to 90%, of your plate. This is because starches are nutrient-rich and play a crucial role in satisfying hunger, providing energy, and supporting overall health. Whole grains are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates and provide the body with a consistent and sustained source of energy. They also contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which are important for maintaining a healthy digestive system and supporting overall health.
In addition to whole grains, the McDougall Program also includes a variety of vegetables and fruits. These provide additional nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are important for maintaining a healthy body and preventing disease. The program recommends adding vegetables and fruits to meals to boost flavor and nutrition.
The combination of whole grains, whole-grain products, and a variety of vegetables and fruits in the McDougall Program provides a well-rounded and nutritious plant-based diet. This approach to eating has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including weight loss, improved cholesterol and blood pressure, and the relief of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.
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It includes vegetables and fruit
Dr. McDougall's diet is plant-based and includes a wide assortment of vegetables and fruit. The diet is centred on a diet of 90% starchy plant foods and 10% vegetables and fruit.
Vegetables are too low in calories to be the main component of meals, but they can be added without restriction. Fruits, on the other hand, should be limited to three servings a day as they are high in simple sugars and easy to overeat.
The diet recommends common starches like beans, corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and rice, with some green and yellow vegetables and fruits. The McDougall Program also provides recipes that align with Dr. McDougall's principles, such as a garden vegetable stew, fluffy waffles with fruit toppings, and pasta with a creamy walnut-based sauce.
Dr. McDougall's diet is designed to be a simple and powerful healing approach, helping individuals regain their health and take control of their lives.
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It excludes animal products
Dr. McDougall's diet is entirely plant-based and excludes all animal products. This includes red meat, poultry, eggs and fish, as well as animal-derived products like dairy.
The diet is centred on a diet of 90% starchy plant foods, including whole grains and whole-grain products, and 10% vegetables and fruits. The remaining 10% is made up of plant-based foods like beans, corn, sweet potatoes and rice, with some green and yellow vegetables and fruits.
Dr. McDougall's diet is based on the belief that animal products provide toxic levels of fat, cholesterol and protein, as well as infectious agents and harmful chemicals. Animal products are also believed to contain substances that cause cancer progression. The diet also excludes all oils, including olive, coconut and avocado oils, as these are believed to increase obesity and contribute to chronic diseases.
Instead, the diet focuses on eating plant foods that are rich in all the vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and fibre that the body needs. Plant foods contain adequate amounts of fat and all the essential amino acids needed to build protein. They also contain generous amounts of calcium, with a cup of cooked collard greens containing about 360mg of calcium, compared to around 300mg in a cup of cow's milk.
The McDougall diet is based on the concept of the Starch Solution, which advocates for a diet centred on whole-food, plant-based sources of complex carbohydrates. It is believed that carbohydrates are the body's primary source of energy, while fat is a secondary source that is often stored for use in times of famine.
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It excludes oils
Dr. McDougall's diet is a plant-based, starch-focused diet. It is based on the concept of the Starch Solution, an innovative dietary approach that harnesses the benefits of eating whole-food, plant-based sources of complex carbohydrates. The McDougall Program is a transformative and life-saving 12-day online intensive program designed by Dr. McDougall. For over 35 years, this program has been helping individuals reverse chronic illness and take charge of their health.
The McDougall Program is a diet of plant foods, including whole grains and whole-grain products (such as pasta, tortillas, and whole-grain bread), and a wide assortment of vegetables and fruit. It excludes animal foods, including red meat, poultry, dairy products, eggs, and fish – all of which provide toxic levels of fat, cholesterol, and protein.
The McDougall diet also excludes all oils, including olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil. Oils are liquid fats that increase obesity, which in turn depresses immune function and contributes to the most common chronic diseases. Dr. McDougall's diet recommends avoiding isolated corn, safflower, olive, and other oils as they encourage tumors to grow faster.
The program recommends that starches should comprise at least 50%, and up to 90%, of your plate. This includes nutrient-rich foods like potatoes, rice, legumes, whole-grain pasta, and quinoa. These foods help satisfy hunger, provide lasting energy, and support overall health.
The dietary and lifestyle habits promoted by the McDougall Program may sound challenging at first, but taken step by step over just 12 days, they can become a natural and easy way of life. Most importantly, individuals will experience an almost immediate improvement in their health, making it hard to imagine doing it any other way.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the McDougall Program is a plant-based diet that includes whole grains, whole-grain products (such as pasta, tortillas, and whole-grain bread), vegetables, and fruit.
The McDougall Program has been shown to help with weight loss, lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels, relieve chronic fatigue and intestinal distress, improve complexion, and enhance overall health and vitality.
The McDougall Program excludes animal foods such as red meat, poultry, dairy products, eggs, and fish, as well as all oils, including olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil.
