Benefits
Hay wrote inHealth via Foodthat he saw ‘‘the
comeback of thousands of patients’’ who followed his
regimen. The Hay diet features some nutritional prin-
ciples endorsed by organizations including the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Amer-
ican Dietetic Association, and the medical commun-
ity. Their recommendations call for eating lean meat
and poultry that is that is prepared by grilling and
baking. Nutritional guidelines also advocate the con-
sumption of a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Those recommendations are also found in the
Hay diet. People who follow those recommendations
and fill up on fruits and vegetables will lose weight.
Those are low-calorie foods that are rich infiber.
Whole-grain products also contain fiber. Eating
high-fiber food produces the sense of fullness more
quickly than the consumption of foods with fat does.Precautions
Although there are some nutritional aspects of the
Hay diet, there are some flaws. The diet does not
include serving sizes and portion control is an impor-
tant aspect of maintaining a healthy weight. In addi-
tion, people may miss out onvitaminsand nutrients by
restricting food groups to one meal per day.Risks
Although the consumption of fruits and vegeta-
bles will help to relieve constipation, people should not
rely solely on the Hay diet to treat condition such as
heart disease, arthritis, allergies, and asthma. People
diagnosed with those conditions may need medication
and should consult their physician before undertaking
the Hay diet or any weight-loss plan.Research and general acceptanceThe Hay diet as designed by the late doctor fea-
tured variety within all food groups. Eating an assort-
ment of foods was also recommended in Dietary
Guidelines for Americans 2005. The guidelines pre-
pared by the USDA and the Department of Health
and Human Services recommended the consumption
of a variety of foods within each of the five food
groups: fruits, vegetables, calcium-rich foods like
milk and cheese, grains, and proteins.
Contemporary research also showed that eating
high-fiber foods helps people to feel full, and eating
less means that people will lose weight. While research
proved that Hay was correct about those nutritionalprinciples, his food-combining plan has been criticized
over the years.
Critics countered that the human digestive system
was able to process the proteins and starches from one
meal. They also pointed out that some foods con-
tained both carbohydrates and proteins.General acceptance
The Hay diet brought people to sanatorium hotels
during the first three decades of the 20th century. It
was modified into other food-combining diets towards
the end of the century. However, Hay’s diet remained
popular with natural-health advocates. Information
about the plan was posted on several websites in the
United Kingdom in the spring of 2007.Resources
BOOKS
Hay, William Howard.Health via Food.Sun-Diet Health
Service, 1929. Public domain material, Soil and Health
Library,<http://www.soilandhealth.org/02/
0201hyglibcat/020165.hay.pdf<(April 20, 2007).
PERIODICALS
Blonz, Ed. ‘‘Logic behind call to avoid certain food combi-
nations is faulty.’’The San Diego Union Tribune(Sept.
14, 2005):<http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/
20050914/news_lz1f14focus.html>(April 20, 2007).
ORGANIZATIONS
American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza,
Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606. (800) 877-1600.<http://
eatright.org>.
OTHER
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center
for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
Physical Activity and Good Nutrition: Essential ElementsQUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR
DOCTOR How much weight do I need to lose?
Will the Hay diet’s food-combining rules help
me to lose weight more quickly?
Does the Hay diet help to improve conditions
like diabetes or indigestion?
Would any health condition prevent me from
starting the Hay diet?
ShouldIavoidcertainfoods becauseofmedications
I’m taking or because of a health condition?
What portion sizes do you recommend from
each of the food groups?Hay diet