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Montignac |
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Introduction & Overview |
The Michel Montignac weight loss program is advertised as offering dieters a “gourmet approach to nutrition.” The program offers menus and guidelines that dieters may follow to lose weight, lower cholesterol levels or maintain overall health. According to the website, Michel Montignac has been in business for 20 years, and the method uses the glycemic index as a basis for creating the menus.
Michel Montignac does not have a formal background in nutrition, but studied it on his own because of his own personal interest in the subject. He wrote his first book in 1986, and other books have followed over the past 20 years. We will take a close look at this method – called the Montignac Method – to see what type of impact it may have on dieters.
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| Pros |
• Diet allows for moderate consumption of chocolate and wine
• Weekly recipes are provided
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| Cons |
• No free diet profile offered
• Company does not offer a trial period
• Refunds are only given for technical problems
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| Program At A Glance |
The program has three main objectives listed on the website. The first, of course, is weight loss, but the program is meant to assist in rapid weight loss by maintaining a balanced diet without calorie counting, weighing food or causing fatigue or deprivation. The second objective is weight stabilization, meaning that dieters should adopt proper eating habits that lead to permanent weight loss and allow dieters to stay at a specific weight for life; finally, the third objective is to allow dieters to “rediscover optimum vitality.” This means a reduction in general fatigue, increased physical and intellectual recuperation and greater productivity.
The Montignac Method consists of two phases: the weight loss phase and the maintenance phase. However, there are eleven different stages within Phase 1, which promotes weight loss results within 8 weeks of beginning the program. We will look more closely below.
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| Program In Depth |
As mentioned, Phase 1 of the Montignac Method is weight loss, which may last from one to three months, depending on the individual objectives of each dieter. Unlike other weight loss programs, this method is not restrictive during the first phase, and dieters are allowed to eat as much food as they wish, as long as they stick to the foods that are allowed. It is also supposed to be easy for people to follow if they eat out frequently, and all meals are said to be “well-balanced and rich in vitamins and minerals.”
Phase 2 of the Montignac Method is said to be a “natural extension of Phase 1”, and is apparently more tolerant of what types of foods are allowed. Since the habits have already been developed, it is said to be easy for dieters to continue to eat the same types of balanced meals. This phase allows dieters to drink up to a half a liter of wine every day, and also allows reasonable consumption of semi-sweet dark chocolate.
According to the website, those who follow this program should experience weight loss, an end to gastric and digestive problems, enhance alertness, a better night’s sleep and an increase in physical and mental energy.
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| Cost |
Monthly membership in the Michel Montignac weight loss program is about $13.95. This includes weekly menu plans, a profile analysis, some facts about certain foods and several exercises that are said to facilitate weight loss.
We were surprised to read that the company will only provide a refund to those who have technical difficulties with the site, not to those who are unhappy with the program. And, unlike other online programs, no free trials or free diet profiles are offered – interested individuals must sign up and pay to find out what this program is all about.
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| Conclusion |
Individuals seeking different types of meal plans and menu options may be interested in trying the Michel Montignac weight loss program; most of the recipes sound good, and seem to offer a variety of different types of foods. We appreciate that the meals are low in fat and cholesterol, and vegetarian options are available; still we would like to see more evidence that this diet may lead to weight loss.
We feel that this type of program may assist dieters in developing healthier eating habits, but it does not seem to be a strong enough program for weight loss. Dieters may wish to incorporate a daily supplement into a regular exercise routine for guaranteed weight loss. It is always especially valuable when a company offers free sample trials and responsive customer service.
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