Jeff Novick
MS, RDN (registered dietitian). Registered dietitian known for teaching calorie density.
Novick worked with the McDougall Program, the Pritikin center and TrueNorth. His calorie-density scale and meal rules shaped the McDougall Program's maximum weight loss checklist.
Whose words we use: His own articles (bylined) and talks.
Evidence behind the weight-loss advice: No studies of his own; summarizes feeding studies.
Positions by topic
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Calorie density
Choosing foods with fewer calories per pound is the main way to lose weight without counting calories.
AgreesCalorie density is Novick's whole method, with a number scale: eat freely below roughly 300 to 400 calories per pound, moderately up to 800, limit up to 1,800 and extremely limit above that. He rejects calorie counting outright.
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Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds should be cut out or strictly limited for weight loss.
AgreesNuts and seeds fall in his extremely-limit band, at 2,400 to 3,200 calories per pound. He also accepts the nut trials and explains them, adding that a diet already low in density leaves little room for the swap that makes those calories disappear.
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Oil
Added oil should be cut out completely for weight loss.
AgreesNovick points out that two tablespoons of olive oil carry more calories than most premium ice cream, and mocks the idea that it helps weight loss. Oil sits at the top of his density scale.