"I’ve been on every diet known to man " complained priest and principal Father Gregory Lobo " and I succeeded on all of them. It’s not that I don’t manage to get down to my "target weight". It’s just that I never manage to stay there long enough to find out how good it feels."

It’s a story he shares with thousands of unsuccessful and frustrated slimmers. Like him they often feel that they are doomed to remain over-weight. Almost as quickly as the kilos drop off, they begin creeping back setting comfortably once again on hips, thighs and paunches. Indeed atleast two-thirds of those who lose weight gain it all back soon, and the rest within a few years.

"It is high time someone showed a practical way to lose weight and how to keep the weight off permanently, once you lost it" lamented famous play-back singer Ms. Sushma Shrestha.

Here, at last, is a chapter describing a permanent - weight loss programme, that will trim excess body fat and keep it off. Throw away your charts, weights and measures.

Never say diet. Come eat and live with me. This intelligent and practical way of eating is not a fad diet. Instead it is a sensible diet based on medical evidence and scientific well balanced nutrition. Follow this sensible diet designed in a way from which the body can derive the fullest nourishment and benefit, to assure good health as well as permanent weight loss.

Is this guide to sensible eating for everyone ?

"Obesity is a common and serious nutritional - problem afflicting the Indian public today" says Dr. H. D. Gandhi, Ayurved Acharya running an obesity and applied nutrition clinic in Bombay since 1954.

As per the earlier chapter on Health Hazards of obesity, it has now been an established fact that obesity, can be a factor in development of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, gall bladder disease, degenerative changes in joints and certain cancers.

Even if you aren’t obese, bad eating habits can contribute to the development of disease. Sir Robert Mc Carrison, former Director of Research on Nutrition in India summing up his experience says, "The single factor in the acquisition and maintenance of good health is perfectly constituted food which consists of milk, milk products, whole grain cereals, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables". These are called protective foods. He adds that most people do not get enough of protective foods and their diet is therefore incomplete and results ultimately in disease.

The degeneration of the human race has been brought about by the departure from its natural foods. Foods deficient in fibre and rich in saturated fats, salt, sugar and cholesterol, contribute to the development of disease such as diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and other killer diseases. Breast cancer and heart disease for example, have been linked to a high-fat diet. Evidence indicates that colon cancer can be caused by dietary fat as well as lack of adequate fibre in diets made up primarily of processed foods. Increased consumption of sugar is believed to be responsible for increasing incidence of diabetes. High blood pressure may be triggered by over consumption of salt, and so on.

Good eating habits can ‘prevent’ many diseases as well as reduce excess body fat. This can be easily achieved through sensible eating on The Balanced - Nutrient Diet.

What is this Balanced-Nutrient Diet ?

The Balanced-Nutrient Diet is one which meets all the requirements of your body towards positive health. The Balanced-Nutrient Diet is a sensible and practical way of eating for good health, losing excess body weight and keeping the weight off when you lose it, permanently. The Balanced-Nutrient Diet is obtained by manipulating the nutrients in your diet so that carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals are kept in correct proportions.

The Balanced-Nutrient Diet is completely different from dangerous high fat, high-protein, low carbohydrate diets etc. The Balanced-Nutrient Diet is a sensible and practical way of eating which will improve your health and lengthen your life as well as rid your body of excess fat. The same dietary approach will ‘prevent; some of the diseases that are common causes of death.

The Balanced-Nutrient Diet outlined in this chapter will project you into the future , providing you with all the benefits of good nutrition. Armed with the knowledge of how to control and balance your nutrients with sensible, lifetime eating habits, you can forever avoid the use of fad diets, that provide temporary weight loss at the expense of your health.

The Balanced-Nutrient Diet is low in fat, salt, sugar and cholesterol, and it is high in fibre, water, and nutrients. It has everything you’ll need for building and maintaining good health and a slim body.

Why is the Balanced-Nutrient Diet superior to other diets ?

There are more than thirty nutrients present in foods that are needed for daily health. Even if a single one of these nutrients is omitted from the diet, science has shown that ill-health will eventually result. Undoubtedly many other substances exist which are necessary to health but which are unknown at the present. For that very reason we should eat natural wholesome foods; then these unknown elements and other essential nutrients will be supplied.

The Balanced-Nutrient Diet consists of eating only those foods which can build health and avoids the devitalized, ‘foodless’ foods, which rob you of your energy, usher in wrinkles and unattractive skin and grey hair, speed up the onset of old-age changes and make you mentally sick and physically weak and obese.

You don’t have to lose fifty kilos to experience the benefits of the Balanced-Nutrient Diet. Even if you have a few kilos to lose or if you have no excess body fat at all, you can use The Balanced -Nutrient Diet to improve your health and prolong your life. So whether you are obese, only moderately overweight or slim and trim, you will experience healthful benefits on the Balanced -Nutrient Diet. This practical, sensible and medically proved method of dieting offers more health benefit than any other method of dieting. For the first time, you will be able to manipulate your diet for truly ‘healthful’ weight loss. With the Balanced- Nutrient Diet you will develop a slimmer, healthier body that will contribute to a better life and you’ll be able to look forward to a life time of eating delicious healthful foods.

Take the case of G.N. She suffered constantly from the physical discomfort and the mental embarrassment of carrying around excess body fat. Her self-confidence suffered too, and all this resulted in problems for the whole family. G.N. had quit attending school meetings on behalf of her children. Social functions were out of question. Eating became the foremost pleasure in her life. So G.N. continued, to gain weight. She gained twenty five kilos over a period of six years bringing her total body weight to an obese eighty kilos. "I can’t go on like this. Life is becoming unbearable for me" G.N. lamented when she first consulted me.

Fortunately G.N. understood The Balanced-Nutrient Diet and its principles and changed her eating habits. For the first time in life, she learned enough about dieting to control hear eating habits. She lost twenty- five kilos in twelve months. At fifty-five kilos, she was transformed into a happy, beautiful and confident woman. She began to participate in school activities with her children. Social functions became a pleasure than an embarrassment. "My whole life has been changed by "The Balanced-Nutrient Diet " G.N. stated emphatically. ‘Being twenty-five kilos lighter has improved my mental state as well as my physical appearance. This scientific, dieting method has taught me how to eat for good health as well as how to eat for weight loss. And the foods I’m eating are really delicious. Best of all I’m feeling so good that I’m now going after ‘all’ the good things in life.’

The last time I saw G.N. she was presiding over the P. T.A. (Parents Teachers Association) with her husband. If you read this chapter carefully, you’ll be able to lose weight healthfully and permanently on a generous diet of delicious, natural foods - and I guarantee that you’ll feel better than you have ever felt before. Once you have tried the Balanced- Nutrient Diet method of eating you won’t be tempted to try dangerous fad diets.

Can I eat plenty on The Balanced-Nutrient Diet?

>One of the first questions patients at my clinic ask is "Will I get enough to eat?" I’m happy to report that on The Balanced-Nutrient Diet you’ll be able to eat heartily while reducing excess body fat. One of the secrets of the success of The Balanced-Nutrient Diet is the high fibre and water content of the delicious natural foods you’ll be allowed to eat. Natural foods brimming with essential nutrients are wonderfully tasty, and their fibre content so high that they are completely satisfying. Furthermore the great variety of flavours found in foods supplied by nature will make eating refreshing as well as delightfully pleasurable.

See what famous personalities have to say :

Mrs.Jasmine Irani holding a First Class Diploma at the Institute of Hotel Management and Applied Nutrition, Bombay says "The Balanced-Nutrient Diet works, and works wonders, provided you are honest with yourself. I always had a weight problem but in the year 1989, I happened to put on tremendous weight and inches after my pregnancy. My weight increased to 75.5 kilos and I had added 10 to 12 inches on my waist and hips. Nothing could make me regain my original figure. It was then that I started on the Balanced- Nutrient Diet and within nine months I lost 20 kilos and 11 inches on my hips and waist. I could get back into my old clothes. No, I did not have to starve ever, only eat what the Balanced-Nutrient Diet allowed me to eat and there was plenty. I would recommend The Balanced-Nutrient Diet as a way of eating any day. Have patience and lose weight and inches permanently.

Ms. Luku Sanyal, T. V. personality and English Newsreader, echoed Ms. Jasmin Irani’s sentiments. " If I’m going to lose weight and keep it off "she said "I’ll have to eat generous amounts and ‘enjoy what I eat." Ms. Luku Sanyal lost ten kilos in three months on The Balanced-Nutrient Diet and that was five years ago. "I’m still eating well and enjoying what I eat. It is only right eating habits that has kept me fit through life" reported Ms. Luku Sanyal.

Ms. Kanika Shivpuri had only twelve kilos to lose, and it took her four months to lose it on The Balanced - Nutrient Diet. At her new found weight, she experienced a renewed interest in life. "The Balanced-Nutrient Diet has produced unexpected results" exclaimed Kanika. "In addition to discovering new taste treats, I feel many changes for the better."

She has now taken to stage, theatre and T.V. serials. "Simply looking better makes you feel better" Kanika insists. "And when you look better feel better and eat better, everything in life is better and I mean ‘everything1"

Mr. Chandrakant Kamble S.E.M. Parel, Bombay says "I’ve never enjoyed eating so much. After eating fresh, natural foods on The Balanced-Nutrient Diet, I could never go back to my old eating habits. Besides I’m now so used to eating large amounts of natural wholesome foods that I won’t want to substitute any other type of food. No other diet can replace my Balanced-Nutrient Diet." Mr. Chandrakant Kamble lost twenty kilos in six months.

Dr. Mahesh H.G. practising psychiatrist in Bombay was convinced that he was simply too fat to reduce. "I know your Balanced-Nutrient Diet worked for others. But I’m pretty much of a hopeless case."

I asked him why he thought so.
"I can’t remember not being heavy’ he said "It just must be hereditary."
What are you doing about your weight?"
"Nothing now" he said, a little sadly. "Oh I’ve tried things. I don’t want to be heavy. When I’ve followed a diet I’ve followed it to the letter. Sometimes I lost, but temporarily. Once I lost 10 kilos. But I was getting a little dizzy and so I had to stop the diet. Do you know what happened then?"

I guessed as much.
"I not only regained the weight " the doctor said, "I came up with a bonus. I regained more than I lost."
We talked longer and he mentioned the mental strain that always went with the diets he had tried. Half convinced that his obesity was heredity, half convinced that a few more drastic dietary programmes would shatter his mental equilibrium, this intelligent, successful doctor had given up.

I outlined The Balanced-Nutrient Diet Plan for him and he set a goal at a weight loss of 20 kilos. Eight months later, the doctor had achieved his desired weight loss.

"You know" he said, " When you outlined The Balanced-Nutrient Diet I was surprised. I never heard of a diet that allowed one to eat so much". Then he told me how his surprise had tuned to delight and how his attitude towards food had changed. He used to dread the dinner table, he no longer does. "I can’t recall ever having felt so well either physically or mentally", he said. At age 35 years, height 6 feet 1 1/2 inches his weight has changed from ninety-five kilos to seventy-five kilos.

Ms. Madhavi G, a tall, attractive, beautician and electrologist from a fashionable beauty parlour at Bandra, Bombay consulted me for an unusual reason. Her weight gave her no problems. She was only six kilos over her ideal weight. "But", she told me, "I am suffering from an unusual fat distribution. I have fat, heavy legs." Since the Balanced-Nutrient Diet reduces excess fat, I told her, "you will lose fat from those places where fat is most concentrated. Since you are a victim of piano legs, you can expect your legs to show the most dramatic change on The Balanced-Nutrient Diet."

"I doubt it" she told me.
She followed The Balanced Nutrient Diet religiously and she no longer has doubts having lost the six kilos. But what is significant is that although she lost fat generally, she lost most fat from the extra-heavy legs. "My figure is now close to normal and I now were skits and Bernudas" beamed a delighted Ms. Madhavi G. and that’s not all "I have taken up to modelling as well."

Mr. P.K. Gupta, General Manager, Rajshri Films, Bombay had a 42 inch waistline and 12 kilos excess weight when he started on The Balanced-Nutrient Diet. He was, he explained, a compulsive eater. "Eating two loaves of bread at breakfast, with vegetables, eggs, or whatever, eight to ten chapatties and a full-plate of rice with gravy or dal at each meal plus an endless stream of between-meal- sandwiches, snacks and teas in a day is nothing for me" he said. I would say this man ate more than anyone I ever knew.

Mr. P.K. Gupta was not happy. His weight made him look years older, gave him leg pains and high blood pressure.

The Balanced-Nutrient Diet has revolutionized my life My waistline is down to 33 inches and I no longer have leg pains and high blood pressure", says a transformed Mr. Gupta.

"What about your compulsive eating?"
"It still continues, but whatever I eat now is in accordance with the principle of Balanced-Nutrient eating. The biggest advantage of the principle of your nutritional programme is that it does not ask compulsive eaters to stop eating. It asks only that they sensibly switch foods. No one who follows the principle can possibly remain obese no matter how much he likes to eat and does eat."

"What did your friends and relatives say about The Balanced-Nutrient Diet Plan?"

"Initially I had great difficulty. I eat out a great deal," he said, "and it’s quite a problem. I had not been having, a successful time with the food-plan because I had not been following it very well. You see, I go to a party and I pass a snack." he said " and the hostess asks why. When I tell her I’m on a nutrition oriented weight loss programme she gets upset and says that I should start the programme somewhere else tomorrow, but not at her house tonight."

Says Mr. P.K. Gupta "My advice on this score is simply keep the plan of The Balanced -Nutrient Diet to yourself for the first few weeks. This may mean curtailing your social activities, or passing up one or two dinner invitations. Then, when The Balanced- Nutrient Diet has worked changes in your shape, it will be easy to tell anyone you know what you are doing. No one will scoff at your new shape and no one will scoff at the nutritional plan you are following. In fact, people may very well want to find out about it themselves. Accept my counsel and experience on this score. Wait until you have been following the programme for a short time before mentioning it. Then you will be a walking proof that it works. You will not have to explain or convince anyone with words - You will, convince them simply your appearance."

Dr. (Mrs.) Kusum Agawal practicing homeopath and medical columnist for the evening newspaper ‘Mid- Day’ says " "The uniqueness about The Balanced- Nutrient Diet is that you eat more of natural foods. The bulk supplied by fresh fruits and vegetables fills you up at the same time as providing essential nutrients required by the body. I lost 3 kilos in one month" Dr. Kusum Agarwal noted with joy. "And I just love eating all the foods I am eating ! You , too will discover that on The Balanced-Nutrient Diet you’ll be able to eat more and still reduce excess body fat.’

This story has been told many times by persons who follow The Balanced-Nutrient Diet. You’ll tell this too, after you have been on The Balanced-Nutrient Diet for a few months, and the basic foods you’ll be eating will supply the nutrients you need for greater energy and zestful living.