Morningstar Farms, Boca, and Gardenburger make
meatless burgers, hot dogs, chicken breasts and strips,
and other items.RisksSince the diet includes a rigorous and regular
exercise program, people with heart disease or certain
other health problems should consult their physicians
before going on the diet. Men with erectile dysfunction
should discuss their condition with their physicians,
urologists, or endocrinologists. Also, one of the 12
power foods is nuts, so people with peanut or other
nut allergies should eliminate or modify the nut com-
ponent of the diet.Research and general acceptanceThere is no specific research that proves the Abs
diet delivers on what it promises: fat loss, muscle
increase, increased sex drive, and six-pack abs. It is
also unclear whether the diet will maintain a healthy
weight once the initial weight is lost. The book con-
tains many anecdotal stories of success but there are
no scientific studies that document the claims.
In an article in the October 2004 issue ofHealth,
registered dietician Maureen Callahan comments on
the merits of the Abs diet, calling it an overall good
diet and exercise plan. She adds that the diet is
mostly healthy but she questions its promotion of
protein powder, one of the diet’s 12 power foods.
She says people can get extra protein by eating low-
fat cottage cheese or a few additional ounces of lean
meat or fish.Resources
BOOKS
Zinczenko, David, and Ted Spiker.The Abs Diet: The Six-
Week Plan to Flatten Your Stomach and Keep You Lean
for LifeEmmaus, PA: Rodale, 2005.
Zinczenko, David, and Ted Spiker.The Abs Diet Get Fit
Stay Fit Plan: The Exercise Program to Flatten Your
Belly, Reshape Your Body, and Give You Abs for Life!
Emmaus, PA: Rodale, 2005.
Zinczenko, David, and Ted Spiker.The Abs Diet Eat Right
Every Time GuideEmmaus, PA: Rodale, 2005.
Zinczenko, David, and Ted Spiker.The Abs Diet 6-Minute
Meals for 6-Pack Abs: More Than 150 Great-Tasting
Recipes to Melt Away Fat!Emmaus, PA: Rodale, 2006.
Zinczenko, David.The Abs Diet: The Six-Week Plan to
Flatten Your Stomach and Keep You Lean for Life: For
WomenEmmaus, PA: Rodale, 2005.
Zinczenko, David, and Ted Spiker.The Abs Diet for
Women: The Six-Week Plan to Flatten Your Stomach
and Keep You Lean for LifeEmmaus, PA: Rodale, 2007.
PERIODICALS
Aceto, Chris. ‘‘Build Muscle, Stay Lean! Open Up Our
Nutritional Toolbox and Head to the Job Site: Your
Kitchen Table. This State-of-the-Art Diet Plan Will
Help You Add Muscle Without Gaining Fat.’’Muscle
& Fitness(November 2006), 110–114.
Aceto, Chris. ‘‘Protein & Carbs: Carbohydrates and Protein
Have Been Misunderstood For Years. Here Are the
Top 10 Myths That Plague Your Diet—And Your
Physique.’’Muscle & Fitness(September 2005),
100–104.
Donnelly, Allan. ‘‘Critical Condition: Need to Get Ripped in
a Hurry? Mark Dugdale’s Fast-Track Nutritional
Overhaul Will Help You Drop Body Fat in Five Easy
Steps.’’Flex(October 2006), 216–220.
Horn, Beth. ‘‘M & F Blueprint: 6 Weeks to a Sic-Pack; Build
Awesome Abs With This Step-By-Step Training and
Diet Program.’’Muscle & Fitness(May 2002), 142–145.
Stiefel, Steve. ‘‘Your 8000-Calorie Growth Plan: Add Up To
10 Pounds of Lean Muscle on M & S’s Turbo-Charged
One-Day-A-Week Diet.’’Muscle & Fitness(October
2004), 176–179.
Stoppani, Jim. ‘‘Power Abs Diet: To Build a Finely Crafted,
Well-Developed and Insanely Strong Middle, You
Need to Find the Balance Between Maintaining Mass
While Shedding Fat. Sounds Impossible, Right?’’
Muscle & Fitness(July 2006), 124–129.
Vitetta-Miller, Robin. ‘‘The Flat Abs Diet: Use Our Six
Eating Strategies to Get a Sleeker Belly.’’Shape(August
2003), 176–181.
Zinczenko, David. ‘‘Eat Right Every Time.’’Men’s Health
(January-February 2005), 130.
Zinczenko, David. ‘‘7 Days to a 6-Pack.’’Men’s Health
(September 2004), 158.
Zinczenko, David. ‘‘Abs Diet.’’Men’s Health(July-August
2004), 154.QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR
DOCTOR Am I healthy enough to do the exercise routine
required on the Abs Diet?
Will I need any dietary supplements if I adopt the
Abs Diet?
Do you see any health risks for me in the diet?
Are there any other diets you would recommend
that would help me accomplish my goals?
Have you treated other patients who are on the
Abs Diet? If so, what has their response to the
diet been?Abs diet