The Personality Type Diet:

Another View

 

Dr. Robert Kushner - board certified in internal medicine and nutrition, professor of medicine at Northwestern University, president of The Obesity Society, noted lecturer and author of four books about weight and health - is undeniably an expert on this subject. And his observations in the field led him to the conclusion that for weight loss, there is no one-size-fits-all program. Hence, he created the Personality Type Diet - a program which begins with a personality test (a 70 question survey) with a myriad of personal questions regarding food, exercise and how you cope in your life that, if you answer honestly, should reveal your general personality type with regard to those issues. For example, I took the test and was told that when it comes to eating I am a "Fruitless Feaster" (I need to be better about fruits and veggies), when it comes to exercise I'm an "All or Nothing Doer" (I get discouraged and mope when my routine gets disrupted), and when it comes to coping I'm a "Self-Scrutinizer" (I'm way too hard on myself.) Generally speaking, this is pretty accurate.

The book addresses the specifics of each personality type, offering guidance and advice aimed to help you better understand your attitudes and behavior, and find a path to changing them for the better. Since most people - including myself - identify with more than one type in each category, the analysis of all of the "types" is interesting reading, all the more so if you happen to enjoy psychological analysis.

As to the eating plan of the diet, it is primarily vegetarian with fish, chicken and lean meats allowable in limited amounts. Kushner touts "super foods" like fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils and soy products as the staples of a healthy diet for life.
The book has been praised by experts for its common sense advice, as well as its focus on the psychological aspects of overeating and the inability to master self-control and discipline with regard to personal health. Though Kushner has also been criticized for treading too deeply into the waters of the psychological aspects of obesity - because he is not a trained or licensed psychologist - I would posit that a career treating and counseling the obese on the medical side has given him solid insight.

That having been said, it's our view that the Personality Type Diet is merely a tip of the iceberg scenario. It may well provide you with some interesting insights, but there will doubtfully be any revelations here. As I said earlier, the results of my personality quiz came as no surprise to me. Translation: I already know what my weaknesses are. You'll need to go deeper than where Kushner takes you to really tackle self-control and discipline.

The book has also been converted into an interactive online program, typical of and cost-competitive with other online programs out there.