10 Aug 2007 05:38 AM

The Problem with Kimkins

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

If you've been reading my weight loss blogs, many of you know that I am generally against diets that exclude complete food groups and I'm against diets that are radical. Kimkins does both. There are several concerns about the Kimkins diet and I'm not an expert. I also feel like I should tell you that I do not have personal experience with Kimkins. I'm writing this article based on research that I've done. I am not saying that you would not lose weight with the Kimkins diet. However, there are many diets that you can lose weight on--that doesn't mean they are healthy. Here are a few of my concerns regarding Kimkins.

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Who is Kimmer?

Kimmer designed the Kimkins diet. Kimmer has declined to give her real name and although she claims to have lost over 200 pounds on the Kimkins diet, she has declined to give proof of that weight loss. She has also refused to meet for interviews in person and so she remains a very elusive figure. She is not a nutritional expert nor is she a health care professional. In interviews given via phone or online, she has dodged questions about the nutritional content of her diet, and even seems unaware that her diet may be dangerous.

What are the problems with the diet?

The diet is very low in essential fatty acids, fiber and other things that our bodies need to thrive. A multi-vitamin is recommended. In lieu of fiber or even fiber supplements, Kimmer recommends taking laxatives. This is an extremely dangerous practice if done on a regular basis. The diet is also extremely low in calories and is essentially, by nutritional standards a starvation diet.

Other unconfirmed problems. . .

There also seems to be some problems with Kimmers herself. The membership that you pay for is a lifetime membership giving you full access to the website and all it's features for life.

However, members have been banned for disagreeing with her. Also, she tends to encourage those on a very low calorie diet to keep going and has blamed members for not being strict enough when they don't lose up to a pound a day. On the one hand, you could consider this the plain old fashioned rumor mill. On the other hand, reports from banned members and people who have suffered the ill health consequences of following the diet are popping up all over the internet.

The Big Red Flag

The big red flag for me is that nothing has been scientifically proven. There have been no studies showing that Kimkins works for long term weight loss nor has she herself offered physical proof that her diet works by showing up in person. There never will be a scientific study either because having subjects participate in a diet that contains as little as 500 calories per day is unethical.

Want real weight loss support? Go read my Mission Possible blogs or join us in the forums!

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Learn more about Valorie Delp

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Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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6 comments so far

katinsac (30) 27 Dec 2007 10:52 AM

Friends don't let friends do Kimkins! Remember that cover girl on the WW Mag? Well, she learned the hard way about Kimkins and it's dangers!! Read her blog and decide for yourself.

http://the-journey-on.blogspot.com/

katinsac (30) 27 Dec 2007 04:28 PM

Now that you know the Truth...Join the Lawsuit!!

http://kimkinslawsuit.wordpress.com/

katinsac (30) 28 Dec 2007 04:46 PM

Boycot Kimkins in 2008!! Wanna know why? Go here to start and then read all the blogs:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/Diets/Diet_Articles/Kimkins:_Anatomy_of_a_Diet_Scam/

katinsac (30) 30 Dec 2007 12:33 PM

This is one of the key players in the fight against Kimkins and I think you should read her blog...don't foget to search the webring too and see the other great info about this SCAM!

http://honeybeesblog.wordpress.com/

katinsac (30) 31 Dec 2007 11:51 AM

The "Time Worstall Tabloid Edition" says:

November 12, 2007 Kimkins Kimkins, or the Kimkins diet has been shown up to be just another scam on the unsuspecting.

Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz, the founder of the Kimkin's diet - a low carb, low calorie diet - is schedule to appear in a Southern California court on Monday, November 12th, 2007. 11 former users of her Kimkins diet program filed a complaint against her one week ago, claiming fraud, false advertising, and unjust enrichment. The Kimkin's scandal began when Woman's World, a popular women's magazine featured an article on the Kimkin's diet.

Ms Diaz, who was claiming to have lost 198 pounds in 11 months using her diet plan, refused to meet with the magazine in person, instead corresponding through email. She went so far as to send the magazine before and after pictures that looked nothing alike, which makes sense when people found out that the before pictures were Ms. Diaz, however the after pictures were taken from a Russian 'mail-order' bride web site.

The kimkins diet advised eating just 500 calories a day. That less than concentration camp victims were getting:

Kimkins diet followers reported hair loss, menstrual cessation, irregualr heartbeat, fainting spells, and liver damage from the starvation diet scam.

No damn wonder! Let's hope she's jailed where she can get a decent diet!

katinsac (30) 01 Jan 2008 03:28 AM

Happy 2008 All...Don't become a stastic of the Kimkins Diet Scam in 2008. I have faith in people and I know that there are a lot of people out there that will do the research and find the horrors of the Kimkins diet, the bannings of "lifetime" members for no reason other than to take their money from them, the no feedback from Kimmer herself on the site as promised and the dangers of the starvation diet that Kimmer (Heidi K. Diaz), who never even lost the weight herself, promotes. Ban Kimkins in 2008 and find a free and safe diet site to support your weight loss efforts in 2008. The year you will succeed WITHOUT Kimkins starvation diet!

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