
The Dr Gundry diet, also known as The Plant Paradox, focuses on eliminating lectins, a type of plant protein found in numerous foods, including nightshades, grains, and dairy. Dr Gundry, an American physician, claims that lectins cause inflammation and lead to various modern diseases. The diet suggests consuming low-lectin foods like leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and pasture-raised meat. While some people have praised the diet for its weight loss and health benefits, critics argue that it contradicts mainstream nutritional advice and lacks supporting scientific evidence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Creator | Dr. Steven Gundry |
| Focus | Eliminating lectins |
| Benefits | Weight loss, lower inflammation, improved overall wellness, prevention of chronic diseases |
| Food to eat | Low-lectin foods, leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, avocado, olive oil, pasture-raised meat, wild-caught fish, nuts, seeds |
| Food to avoid | Grains, nightshades, dairy, goji berries, beans, whole grains, fresh fruit |
| Scientific backing | Disputed by scientists and dietitians, classified as pseudoscience |
| Resources | The Plant Paradox, The Plant Paradox Cookbook, The Plant Paradox Quick and Easy, YouTube channel, Gundry MD blogs, The Dr. Gundry Podcast |
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What You'll Learn

The pros of following Dr Gundry's diet
Dr. Steven Gundry is an American physician, low-carbohydrate diet author, and former cardiothoracic surgeon. His diet plan, The Plant Paradox, is a best-seller and is based on the principle of avoiding lectins, which are a type of plant protein found in numerous foods.
Weight Loss
Dr Gundry's diet has been credited with significant weight loss, with some followers claiming to have lost 70 pounds. The diet involves eliminating lectins, which are found in grains and dairy, among other foods, and are said to cause inflammation and weight gain.
Improved Health
Dr Gundry claims that his diet can help treat various health issues such as autoimmune disorders, diabetes, leaky gut syndrome, heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. The diet focuses on consuming whole, unprocessed foods, which are key to maintaining a healthy weight and improving overall health.
Reduced Inflammation
By eliminating lectins, Dr Gundry's diet claims to reduce inflammation in the body, which can help with conditions such as arthritis and migraines.
Increased Energy and Longevity
Dr Gundry's diet also emphasizes the importance of choosing micronutrient-rich, "calorie-scant" foods that can provide sustained energy without excess calories, contributing to a healthier and longer life.
Customizable Plans
Dr Gundry's diet is not a one-size-fits-all approach. He provides eating plans for different phases, allowing individuals to progress through the diet and eventually transition to a lifetime phase of healthy eating habits. This flexibility can make it easier for people to stick to the diet and see long-term results.
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The cons of following Dr Gundry's diet
Dr. Steven Gundry is an American physician, low-carbohydrate diet author, and former cardiothoracic surgeon. His diet plan, The Plant Paradox, is a best-seller. The diet is based on the idea that lectins, a type of plant protein found in numerous foods, cause inflammation and many modern diseases.
However, there are several cons to following Dr. Gundry's diet:
Lack of Scientific Evidence
T. Colin Campbell, a biochemist and advocate for plant-based diets, states that The Plant Paradox contains numerous unsupported claims. Robert H. Eckel, an endocrinologist and past president of the American Heart Association, argues that Gundry's diet advice contradicts mainstream dietary recommendations. He also points out that it is not possible to draw any conclusions from Gundry's research due to the absence of control patients in his studies. Food writer and chef Anthony Warner notes that Gundry's theories "are not supported by mainstream nutritional science."
Elimination of Nutrient-Dense Foods
If you cut out lectins, you're also eliminating many nutrient-dense foods from your diet. Tomatoes, cucumbers, Greek yogurt, beans, whole grains, and fresh fruit are just a few examples of foods that provide important nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein.
Difficulty in Following the Diet
Some people may find it challenging to follow Dr. Gundry's diet strictly. It requires eliminating lectins, which are found in a variety of foods, including nightshades, grains, and dairy. This can make it difficult to find suitable food options and may require significant changes to one's eating habits.
Potential for Nutritional Deficiencies
Eliminating entire food groups, such as lectin-containing foods, can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies. It is important to ensure that any eliminated nutrients are replaced with other suitable sources to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet.
Cost and Accessibility
Following a specialized diet like Dr. Gundry's may require purchasing specific foods, supplements, or recipe ingredients that could be more expensive or less accessible than typical dietary options. This may pose a challenge for those on a budget or with limited access to specialty food items.
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What foods to eat on the diet
The Dr Gundry diet, also known as the Plant Paradox diet, is a lectin-free diet. Lectins are a type of plant protein that, according to Dr Gundry, cause inflammation and other issues in the human body. The diet suggests avoiding all foods containing lectins or removing the "lectin parts" of a food.
The diet encourages people to stop eating processed food and to start eating whole foods. Dr Gundry recommends eating pasture-raised eggs, blanched almonds (without the skin), and fermented soy products. He also suggests eating foods that are low in lectins, such as leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli and cauliflower), avocado, olive oil, nuts and seeds, pasture-raised meat, and wild-caught fish.
Some critics of the diet argue that it is unnecessary and potentially dangerous, and that the evidence of the benefits of high-lectin-containing diets is overwhelming. It is always recommended that you consult a doctor or dietitian before starting a new diet to ensure it is safe and suitable for you.
In terms of what not to eat, Dr Gundry recommends avoiding the following foods that are high in aflatoxins: peanuts, wheat, corn, barley, hard cheese, sorghum, alcohol, cottonseed, sugar cane, sugar beets, rye, and anything produced by pigs, chickens, and cows (such as eggs and milk).
Dr Gundry also suggests only eating fruit in season, as fruit signals to our bodies that it is summer and time to start storing fat for the upcoming food-scarce winter.
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What foods to avoid on the diet
Dr. Steven Gundry's diet is based on the claim that lectins, a protein in common foods, are the source of many chronic illnesses. Lectins are thought to be "anti-nutrients" that cause obesity, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. The diet plan cuts out foods that contain lectins, such as wheat, beans, potatoes, nuts, and dairy. Lectin-containing foods include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, and dairy products.
The "No List" of foods to avoid on the Dr. Gundry diet includes grains, goji berries, sugar, and lectin-containing foods. Some people also choose to avoid water chestnuts due to their tendency to grow mould. Additionally, Dr. Gundry's diet aims to break the reliance on high-carb, sugar-laden foods.
It is important to note that critics have questioned the validity of Dr. Gundry's work, and the research behind the diet has not been replicated. The "No List" can be challenging to follow and is not recommended for everyone. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet.
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What results to expect from the diet
The Dr Gundry diet, also known as The Plant Paradox, focuses on eliminating lectins—a type of plant protein found in numerous foods, including nightshades, grains, and dairy. Dr Gundry claims that lectins cause inflammation, leading to various modern diseases, and that a lectin-free diet can result in weight loss, improved overall wellness, and the prevention of chronic illnesses.
The diet is divided into three phases: the Teardown Phase, the Restoration Phase, and the Longevity Phase. During the Teardown Phase, your body is trained to stop storing fat and curb your appetite, leading to weight loss and the deactivation of "killer genes". The Restoration Phase focuses on providing your genes with the resources needed to promote health and strength. In the final Longevity Phase, you can enjoy the results of the previous phases by maintaining a slim and vibrant body, with genes that protect you from ageing.
The diet encourages the consumption of low-lectin foods, such as leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli and cauliflower), avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds, pasture-raised meat, and wild-caught fish. It also includes whole, unprocessed foods, with an emphasis on in-season produce, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised poultry, and healthy oils.
Some people have reported successful weight loss and improved health while following the Dr Gundry diet. However, critics argue that the diet's claims about lectins are not supported by scientific evidence and contradict established dietary recommendations. There are also concerns about cutting out nutrient-dense foods that typically contain lectins, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and whole grains.
Overall, the Dr Gundry diet promotes a lifestyle focused on whole foods, healthy cooking methods, and the elimination of lectins to achieve weight loss and improved wellness. While some individuals have found success with the diet, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes to ensure a safe and effective approach to achieving your health goals.
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Frequently asked questions
The Gundry diet is a low-carbohydrate diet created by American physician and former cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr Steven Gundry. The diet focuses on eliminating lectins, which are a type of plant protein found in numerous foods.
The Gundry diet is centred around whole, unprocessed foods. This includes low-lectin vegetables like greens, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, in-season berries, and avocado. Fish, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised poultry, pasture-raised eggs, and healthy oils such as olive and coconut are also recommended.
Dr Gundry's diet advises against consuming lectins, which can be found in nightshades, grains, dairy, and goji berries, among other foods. Almonds are also not recommended unless the skin is removed.
Proponents of the Gundry diet claim that it can lead to weight loss, lower inflammation, improved overall wellness, and the prevention of chronic diseases. Dr Gundry himself credits the diet with curing his arthritis, high blood pressure, and migraines, and he reportedly lost 70 pounds in the process.
The Gundry diet has been criticised by some experts for lacking scientific evidence. T. Colin Campbell, a biochemist and advocate for plant-based diets, states that Dr Gundry's book, "The Plant Paradox", contains numerous unsupported claims. Robert H. Eckel, an endocrinologist and past president of the American Heart Association, argues that Gundry's diet advice contradicts standard dietary recommendations.











































