Dr. Dixit Diet: A Weight Loss Guide

The Dr Dixit Diet, also known as the Dixit Diet Plan, is a ''two meals a day' diet for weight loss and diabetes. It was created by Dr Jagannath Dixit, who is the head of the department of community medicine at Latur Medical College. The diet is based on the theory that eating only two meals a day will lead to weight loss and help control diabetes. Dr Dixit claims that the timing of the meals is not important, and that the diet will work as long as there is an eight-hour gap between the two meals. He also recommends that the meals should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates, and that no food should be consumed between meals. While the diet has gained popularity, particularly in Maharashtra, India, it has also faced criticism from medical professionals who argue that it needs to be validated through scientific testing.

Dr Dixit's background and credentials

Dr. Jagannath Dixit, who popularised the 'Dixit Diet', was a Professor of Preventive and Social Medicine. He has also been appointed as the brand ambassador of the Government of Maharashtra’s Fight Obesity campaign.

Dr. Dixit grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and attended Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, for his Bachelor's degree. He stayed in Jackson for medical school at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and completed his internal medicine training at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He decided to pursue allergy and immunology and completed his fellowship at Saint Louis University. Dr. Dixit primarily sees patients in the Swansea, Illinois office.

Dr. Dixit's diet plan is one of many existing diets such as the Keto diet and the Mediterranean diet. It is a two-meal plan for individuals who are overweight, have prediabetes, or want to lose weight. The meals are to be consumed when one feels the most hungry, within a 55-minute window, at a particular time each day. The meals should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Dr. Dixit recommends drinking water in between meals and reducing sweets. He also suggests that one should walk 4.5 km in 45 minutes every day or practice any cardio for 45 minutes at a stretch.

The average weight loss by this diet is expected to be 6.8 kg in six months, along with a tummy loss of three cm on average. Dr. Dixit claims that his diet does not reduce an individual’s stamina. He believes that a poor diet plan is the cause of many diseases like cancer, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.

The rules of the diet

The Dixit Diet, also known as the "two meals a day" diet, was popularised by Dr. Jagannath Dixit, a professor of preventive and social medicine. It is based on the diet plan of the late Dr Shrikant Jichkar, who first spoke about the two-meals-a-day strategy to combat obesity.

The rules of the Dixit Diet are as follows:

• Only two meals a day are allowed, at times when you feel most hungry.
• Meals should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
• Meals should be finished within 55 minutes, as Dr Dixit claims that the second bout of insulin is released 45 to 60 minutes after the first.
• An eight-hour gap should be kept between meals, and nothing should be consumed in between, except water.
• Dr Dixit recommends walking 4.5 km in 45 minutes daily.

The diet has been criticised by some medical professionals, who state that it needs to be validated through proper scientific tests. There is also concern that the diet could put people with Type-2 diabetes at risk of hypoglycaemia. However, Dr Dixit has received support from some politicians and government departments, and his lectures have been viewed by millions on YouTube.

The science behind the diet

Dr Jagannath Dixit's diet plan is based on the idea of eating only two meals a day to prevent diabetes and obesity. The diet involves identifying the two times of day when you feel most hungry and eating your meals then, with an eight-hour gap in between. Dr Dixit recommends that these meals should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates, and should be finished within 55 minutes. He also advises cutting down on sweets and walking 4.5km in 45 minutes daily.

The theory behind the diet is that when we are fasting, our insulin levels go down. This lowered insulin level stimulates the body to use liver glycogen and then fats for energy, leading to weight loss. Dr Dixit also claims that a fixed amount of insulin is released in response to every meal, irrespective of the quantity and quality of the meal. He argues that if one continues to eat for more than 55 minutes, a second bout of insulin will be released.

However, numerous publications with well-designed studies have suggested that the insulin response is actually proportional to the amount of food consumed and correlated with the carbohydrate content of the food. That is, larger quantities of food release larger doses of insulin. The Food Insulin Index (FII) has been studied and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, showing that when insulin levels were measured in healthy people who consumed 13 different meals with the same energy content, it strongly correlated with the insulin demand predicted by FII of the component foods.

The two-meals-a-day theory has been contested by physicians and diabetologists who stress the importance of physical exercise, medication, and small, frequent meals to control diabetes. They argue that the Dixit diet needs to be validated through proper scientific tests, as there is a larger body of evidence to suggest that smaller, regular meals are better for obesity and diabetes than larger, infrequent meals. Dr Dixit is neither a dietician nor a diabetologist, and the majority of his case studies and experiments are based on self-testing or self-reported measures, which cannot be taken as scientific evidence.

The popularity of the diet

The popularity of the Dixit Diet, also known as Dr. Jagannath Dixit's 'Two meals a day' diet plan, can be attributed to its appeal as a simple and free solution to tackle obesity and type 2 diabetes. The diet gained traction through social media and word-of-mouth, with Dr. Dixit himself becoming a messiah-like figure for followers of the diet.

Dr. Dixit's lectures have garnered millions of views on YouTube, and his diet plan has been widely shared on WhatsApp. The core concept of the diet—limiting food intake to two meals a day—is relatively easy to understand and follow, which likely contributed to its popularity. Additionally, the diet taps into the desire for a quick fix or an alternative solution to traditional weight loss and diabetes management methods.

The diet's popularity was further bolstered by Dr. Dixit's charismatic and relatable persona. His talks are described as having a conversational quality, and he speaks with a sense of humour and self-deprecation. This approach likely helped to build trust and engagement with his audience, particularly those who may have struggled with their weight or diabetes management.

The endorsement of Dr. Dixit's diet by prominent politicians and the Maharashtra government also played a significant role in its popularity. In 2018, the Maharashtra Medical Education Department appointed Dr. Dixit as the state's brand ambassador to tackle obesity and diabetes. This official recognition added credibility to the diet and likely influenced many people to give it a try.

However, it is important to note that the popularity of the Dixit Diet has also sparked controversy. Despite his awards and recognition, Dr. Dixit is neither a dietician nor a diabetologist, and his claims have been met with skepticism by medical professionals. Experts from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have called for scientific validation of the diet, stating that it needs to be properly tested before it can be accepted as a recommended course of treatment.

Criticisms of the diet

Dr Jagannath Dixit's diet plan has sparked a major debate. The diet, which involves eating only two meals per day when one feels the most hungry, has been criticised for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the claim that a fixed amount of insulin is released after each meal, regardless of the quantity and quality of food consumed, has been disputed by several well-designed studies. These studies suggest that the insulin response is, in fact, proportional to the amount of food eaten and correlated with its carbohydrate content. This contradicts Dr Dixit's assertion that reducing the frequency of meals, regardless of their content, can lower insulin levels and lead to weight loss.

Secondly, there is evidence that smaller, more frequent meals are better for managing obesity and diabetes than larger, less frequent meals, as advocated by Dr Dixit. This evidence suggests that the timing and regularity of meals are important factors, which is contrary to Dr Dixit's claim that the timing of the two meals is irrelevant.

Additionally, critics have pointed out the need for more scientific research and validation of the diet. While Dr Dixit has become successful in creating awareness about diet and exercise as a means to prevent diseases, his approach has been met with scepticism from the medical community. The Indian Medical Association (Maharashtra) has reiterated its demand for scientific validation of the diet plan, which has been criticised for lacking restrictions and specific dietary guidelines beyond meal timings.

Furthermore, while Dr Dixit's diet may be effective for some individuals, it is not suitable for everyone. The diet is not recommended for individuals under 18, pregnant or lactating women, and patients with type 1 diabetes. It may also be challenging for those who are unable to identify their hunger cues or maintain the strict meal timings.

Finally, some critics have expressed concern over the potential risks of the diet for certain individuals. As the diet restricts meal intake to specific time windows, it may not adequately address the nutritional needs of individuals with certain medical conditions or those taking multiple medications. It is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or exercise regimen.

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