Liquid Diets A No Go

Rob Rhinehart has been publicized recently for his new liquid food replacement diet. His reasoning; "I resented the time, money, and effort [that] the purchase, preparation, consumption, and clean-up of food was consuming." I think we can all relate at some point with Mr. Rhinehart. Part of the reason I buy frozen veggies is because I can't stand to take the time to chop fresh ones. But as a nutritionist I find this full diet replacement dangerous. And it turns out the nutrition experts agree.

Assuming you know what your body needs on a chemical level is naive. Researchers have been studying for years and still know little of what happens metabolically. Food breaks down in the body in several different ways (saliva, stomach, intestines) and the nutrients absorbed are altered by other factors. For example, the absorption of Calcium increases when consumed with Vitamin C. These kinds of variables cannot be quantified. That, and the ever increasing knowledge of individual differences, is why nutrient daily allowances are recommendations and not prescriptions.

Full diet replacement makes sense on a temporary basis for patients that require a feeding tube because they cannot feed themselves (cannot chew or swallow). Supplements like Boost and Ensure are also helpful when a full days worth of calories cannot be consumed in food. When I was experiencing nausea or morning sickness while pregnant I turned to Ensure to help get enough calories. But full food replacement as a life-long meal plan could be life-threatening because consuming too little or too much of certain nutrients is toxic. Even water soluble vitamins like Vitamin C can have deleterious side-effects when consumed in excess.

My suggestion is to treat Rob Rhinehart's concoction as you would any other fad diet, complete nonsense. Speak to a dietitian or your family doctor for suggestions on how to eat a healthy diet. Some brainstorming will likely find a solution to your food prep and food aversion woes.

Check out the full NPR article here