Rubin takes two of his main dietary laws from
Leviticus, a book ofThe Bible. Leviticus (11:9-10) says
to eat ‘‘whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters’’
but not to eat ‘‘all that have not fins and scales in the
seas.’’ Rubin says that this means that fish with scales
are intended to be eaten, such as salmon and trout, but
smooth fish such as catfish and eels should not be
eaten. It also means that crustaceans with hard shells
such as lobster, crabs, and clams are not to be eaten.
The other main dietary law taken fromThe Bibleis
also taken from Leviticus (11:3 and 11:7-8). HereThe
Biblesays that man should eat ‘‘whatsoever parteth
the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud’’.
Man should not eat ‘‘the swine, though he divide the
hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not the cud;
he is unclean to you.’’ This means that most animals
can be eaten, such as cows, goats, and sheep because
all these animals chew their cud. The main four-footed
animal that cannot be eaten is pig because he does not
chew his cud. This means that all forms of pork are
forbidden. The dietary laws that Rubin derives from
these passages are generally the same as the Kosher
laws followed by Jewish people.
In addition to the dietary laws taken directly from
The Bible, Rubin believes in eating a variety of whole
foods that are processed little or none. This generally
means choosing foods like brown rice, which have not
been processed much, over white rice, which is signifi-
cantly processed. He believes that eating many proc-essed foods that have additives and preservatives goes
against the diet man was meant to eat. He also believes
that organic foods and meat from animals that were
raised eating grass instead of wild grain is more in line
with the foods man was intended to eat. The diet plan
has three phases that last a total of 40 days and a
maintenance stage intended to help the dieter follow
the guidelines for the rest of his or her life.
Phase 1 is intended to correct harmful imbalances
in the body, and lasts from day 1 to day 14. This phase
has the most limited diet because it is intended to
detoxify the body. The foods eliminated during this
phase includecaffeine, sugar,artificial sweeteners,
and preservatives. Dieters may find themselves feeling
mildly ill during the beginning of this phase, with
headaches and flu-like symptoms. Rubin says this is
because the body is coming back into balance and
ridding itself of harmful toxins.
Phase 2 lasts from day 15 through day 28 of the
diet, and is intend to return the dieter to optimal
health. During this phase some of the foods restricted
during phase 1 are reintroduced. Rubin says that by
this time the dieter should feel better, have begun to
lose weight, and see other positive changes. Phase 3 of
the diet lasts from day 29 through day 40 of the diet.
This is intended to help the dieter ‘‘claim health for
life.’’ During this phase more restricted foods are rein-
troduced into the diet. The foods allowed again during
this phase include starchy foods such as bananas,
potatoes, and bread.
After 40 days the three main phases of the diet
end, and the dieter is supposed to be in optimal health
and an increased state of wellness. The phase that
occurs at this point is the maintenance phase of the
diet, called ‘‘wellness for life.’’ This phase is intended
to last throughout the lifetime of the dieter.
Rubin provides many different tools for dieters to
use including meal plans, shopping lists, and recipes.
He also recommends getting plenty or exercise, espe-
cially outdoors in the sunshine, and taking one day a
week off from doing any work. Rubin also makes
recommendations for good hygiene such as regular
hand washing. In addition to helping dieters achieve
improved physical health, Rubin also says that his
plan will help dieters achieve better mental, emotional,
and spiritual health. Much of this comes in the form of
fellowship with other dieters, spiritual community,
and regular prayer.Function
The first 40 days of this diet is intended to detoxify
the body and provide weight loss and overall betterKEY TERMS
Dietary supplement—A product, such as a vitamin,
mineral, herb, amino acid, or enzyme, that is
intended to be consumed in addition to an individ-
ual’s diet with the expectation that it will improve
health.
Mineral—An inorganic substance found in the
earth that is necessary in small quantities for the
body to maintain a health. Examples: zinc, copper,
iron.
Obese—More than 20% over the individual’s ideal
weight for their height and age or having a body
mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater.
Toxin—A general term for something that harms or
poisons the body.
Vitamin—A nutrient that the body needs in small
amounts to remain healthy but that the body cannot
manufacture for itself and must acquire through
diet.Maker’s diet