Ornish Reversal DIet

[Guest guest]

I have a pt. who is following this diet plan. Has anyone else worked

with it before? The client's reported intake was very low in fat and

protein (though her food log revealed soy substitutes regularly). To

achieve a better balance, I suggested, that she add SMALL amounts of

oil, nuts, ground flax seed and light soy milk. The reversal diet

discourages nuts and oils. The client's wt. loss had plateaued. She

has lost quite a bit of weight, but still has a ways to go. She is

eating 7+ fruit servings a day (per her log, though she denied it

when we spoke). With the additions I suggested, she

reported " dumping " , and d/c'ed (though I would attribute dumping to

the large quantity of fruits). I see very little to no vegetables

and suspect large portions of pasta,tabbouleh, and oatmeal(her log

was unclear on portions). The client has a self-reported Hx of

eating disorder(which is not my specialty). I instructed her that a

diet too low in fat could negatively affect HDL (not to mention

vit/min absorption) and could actually promote increased calorie

intake d/t lack of satiety. After the dumping episode, she decided I

didn't know what I was talking about, and went back to a very rigid

intake that is clearly leading her back towards an E.D. type

pattern. She is still in the program and still open to discussion

with me (thankfully), but clearly I need to tread lightly so that I

don't destroy the rapport I've established. Any advice welcome.

Thanks in advance!

Christa Matheson, RD, LDN

Preventive Cardiology