What To Know Before You Think About Trying The Mayr Method Diet
There is no shortage of dieting methods and protocols for weight loss in today's society. One diet method, however, seems to be rising in popularity after famous Australian comedian and actor Rebel Wilson brought it back on the radar (via Good Housekeeping). This popular holistic diet plan is called the Mayr Method or the Mayr Cure.
The Mayr Method diet is a set of guidelines designed by Austrian physician Dr. Franz Xaver Mayr in the early 1900s, per The Original FX Mayr. Dr. Mayr's philosophy on wellness and beauty centered around the belief that the key to health is rooted in the digestive system. In other words, Dr. Mayr believed that gut health is a key determinant in overall health and wellness. Today, it is globally acknowledged that an individual's digestive health is intricately connected to other bodily functions, including immunity and mental health (via Northwestern Medicine). Dr. Mayr's treatment, therefore, focuses on healing the body by targeting the digestive system through specific food protocols and lifestyle changes with an emphasis on mindfulness. Before you jump into the Mayr Method, though, it's important to understand how this diet plant works.
How does the Mayr Method work?
The purpose of the Mayr Method is to help patients lose weight and improve overall health by adhering to certain diet and lifestyle guidelines. The diet aims to promote mindful or intuitive eating habits by, for instance, chewing slowly and avoiding distractions while eating meals (via Healthline). According to Nutritious Life, it is advised to chew between 40 to 60 times for every bite you take and avoid all electronics while enjoying your meal. This way, you can focus on mindful eating.
The diet sounds easy enough, but as with every other diet plan, there are always restrictions. To follow the Mayr diet, you must eliminate gluten, caffeine, dairy, and sugar, while emphasizing alkaline (less acidic) foods to promote digestion (via Nutritious Life). There are also other limitations, including less snacking, not eating past a certain time, and consuming more raw vegetables.
It is important to note that many health professionals believe that diets with extensive restrictions, fasting, and alternative therapies can be a red flag, and they can even be dangerous depending on the health of the individual partaking in the diet (via Everyday Health). Therefore, it is always a good idea to consult with your doctor before starting a new diet to ensure you are dieting safely. Now, before you get started with the Mayr diet plan, you should make sure that adopting the Mayr Method lifestyle is the right fit for your wellness goals.
Things to consider before starting the Mayr Method
It can be difficult to consistently adhere to any new diet, especially when the diet involves tedious lifestyle changes and food restrictions, and that's how Viva Mayr was developed. This program is an illustrious wellness center nestled in the alps of Austria, and it is dedicated to healing individuals using a modernized version of Dr. Mayr's diet. Mayr's wellness program is exceptionally pricey, yet devoted followers of the Mayr Method swear by the strict protocols and integrative approach.
Nevertheless, the diet's protocols include detoxing and fasting, which can be detrimental to your health, per a 2014 study in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Health experts are also concerned about Mayr's alternative therapies, including bloodletting, colon hydrotherapy, liver wraps, and more (via LiveStrong).
That being said, intuitive eating is a safe and beneficial skill, and mindful behaviors can be a tremendous help for weight management and can help you achieve long-lasting results, according to a 2017 study in Nutrition Research Reviews. So, if a trip to an Austrian wellness spa isn't within your means right now, then rest assured that there are other resources available. There are a plethora of online resources, mindfulness-based therapies, and books that can teach you about implementing mindful eating patterns. You can also grab yourself a copy of the official "The Viva Mayr Diet" book if you want to follow a generalized protocol from home for a more affordable and practical alternative to the intensive VivaMayr program.