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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Original low-carb diet rich in imitators

Peter H. Gott, M.D., United Media

DEAR DR. GOTT: I live in a retirement community in California. Most of our 250 elderly residents discuss your column on a daily basis. For us to have our oatmeal without Gott would be tragic. I’m not trying to butter you up. It’s just true that you are making an impression on our residents.

I have respected that the No Flour, No Sugar answer to losing weight has been your secret. In fact, in your “Live Longer, Live Better” book, written in 2004, you specifically stated that people are more able to lose weight by following a low-carb diet than by using a traditional low-fat plan, a finding that supports your No Flour, No Sugar diet. Then you followed up with a diet book that explains “the simplest way to lose weight.” How, then, can Andrew Weil claim the same approach in the Oct. 24, 2009, issue of USA Weekend that talks about his best secret – skip sugar and flour? I realize he is attempting to sell his book, but I feel he is cheating when he steals ideas from other sources and makes them his own.

DEAR READER: Andrew Weil, M.D., who practices holistic medicine, recently wrote a book titled “Why Our Health Matters,” in which he states that sugar and processed carbohydrates are the primary culprits in the obesity epidemic. So what more can I say?

I began working more than 40 years ago on a simple yet effective weight-reduction plan. In 2006, I was approached by a publisher to write a “No Flour, No Sugar Diet” book. The concept was simple, effective, flexible, easy to follow and allowed patients to regain control of their lives. It involved eliminating flour and sugar from foods consumed. While the revelation was markedly positive for weight control, surprisingly, it also helped diabetics reduce their medications, those with high cholesterol counts lower their readings, and brought people with high blood pressure within normal range. Readers wrote to me through my syndicated column with their success stories, and once I wrote my “No Flour, No Sugar Diet,” I received thousands of letters from readers indicating they finally had a plan they could follow and stick with. They then went on to ask for additional help – a cookbook to give them more flexibility with recipes. That was when I followed with my 2008 “No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook.” And, I must say, the recipes are fantastic. Imagine Tuscany Duck with Blueberry Glaze, followed by Creme Brulee – all made without flour or sugar.

Anyway, back to the issue. There will always be authors, painters, musicians, designers, shoe manufacturers, builders and people from every walk of life that, to one degree or another, follow the lead begun by someone else. There’s the expression that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. So I guess I’m flattered. Thanks for writing.

For other readers who would like related information, I suggest requesting a copy of my Health Report “A Strategy for Losing Weight, an Introduction to the No Flour, No Sugar Diet.” Simply send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Write to: Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10016. However, if readers want to request a newsletter, they should write to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092.