The Pritikin Eating Plan in based on the assumption that people crave fatty foods by nature and that hunger triggers the „fat instinct“ and awakens these cravings. Sugar or sugary foods can also make us want to overeat. With five simple steps we can outsmart the instinct: exercise, eat the right carbohydrates, eat less fat, eat frequently, and maintain a consistent style of eating. In order to make the program work, it is necessary to follow every single step.

The Hamptons Diet, developed by Fred Pescatore, a former medical director of the Atkins Diet Center, seems to be a mixture of the Atkins Diet, the South Beach Diet, and The Mediterranean Diet. It is a low-carbohydrate diet with – and this is new - special emphasis on the right kind of fats, especially monounsaturated fats, and among these, Macadamia nut oil is praised as a „secret ingredient“ for weight loss. Apparently Macadamia nut oil is richer in monounsaturated fats than other nut oils and olive oils. Further, the consumption of fish is recommended, particularly salmon and other fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

The Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing shrub or small tree which grows 5-8 meters tall. . It is believed to be native to Persia, but the fruit is now grown everywhere in the world. The apple-size fruit contains a sack of edible seeds and a juicy pulp. Traditionally, the fruit has been used as a medicine in the Middle East, Iran, and India to cure a variety of diseases. For instance, an infusion of the rinds was used for a sore throat, a paste made out of the leaves was believed to treat baldness when massaged into the scalp, and pomegranate juice was used to cure anything from stomach problems to cuts and bruises.

Noni is a small shrub native to Southeast Asia which has been spread by man throughout India and into the Pacific islands as far as the Polynesian Islands. In Asia, Noni has traditionally been used for a great number of health conditions. In the present time, Noni products are being heavily promoted, although there is no scientific evidence of their beneficial effect on health.

Bilberry is a perennial, ornamental shrub of the genus Vaccinium that is commonly found in various climates in damp woodlands and moorlands. It has oval, pointed leaves, and small pink-white flowers that bloom from April through June, and dark purple berries that are ripe to pick in the late summer. There are over 100 species with similar names and fruit throughout Asia, North America, and Europe. Bilberry has been used as a medicinal herb for hundreds of years.

Bach flower remedies were developed by Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936), a British physician who believed that illness results out of disharmony between body and mind. Bach flower remedies are dilutions of flower essences, usually offered as alcohol-based preparations. They are used to treat mental symptoms which are believed to be the root cause of most diseases. Bach remedies are all derived from non-toxic plants, with the idea that positive energy can neutralize negative energy.

Astragalus, also known as milk-vetch, locoweed, or huangqi, is a plant that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many thousand years. It is one of the most frequently prescribed remedies in China. Astragalus is a so-called adaptogen, a nontoxic natural substance that has a balancing effect on bodily functions. It is used to strengthen or tone the body’s overall vitality, to improve digestion, and to support the spleen. It has been shown useful in spleen deficiency problems, such as poor appetite, diarrhea, and fatigue, but also for prolapse syndromes and uterine bleeding. As a herbal remedy, the roots, leaves, and flowers are being used.

The Açai palm is native to tropical Central and South America. The fruit is a small black-purple drupe which looks similar to a grape but has a smaller amount of pulp and a single large seed which is about 7-10 mm in diameter. It grows in clusters or panicles of about 800 berries. For centuries, the people of the Amazon region have harvested this berry and pulped it to make wine and used it as medicine for numerous ailments. It is considered to be one of the most nutritious fruits of the Amazon region.