Nathan Pritikin
Engineer, no medical degree. Designer of the Pritikin program (1915 to 1985); positions here are the Pritikin Longevity Center's.
Pritikin designed the oldest residential diet-and-exercise program in this guide. It is low-fat but not vegan: the center's plan allows a daily serving of fish or poultry, nonfat dairy and egg whites.
Whose words we use: Nathan Pritikin's own words on weight are not in our sources, so every position here comes from the Pritikin Longevity Center's website and videos today, labelled as the organization's voice.
Evidence behind the weight-loss advice: Case series (uncontrolled residential programs).
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.
AgreesThe center teaches eating to comfortable fullness from low-density foods, since people tend to eat about the same weight of food from day to day. On a plateau, though, it advises eating fewer calories or exercising more.
- Pritikin center: new science on losing weightOrganization page
- Pritikin center: plateau tipsOrganization page
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Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds should be cut out or strictly limited for weight loss.
AgreesTo lose weight, the center says to limit nuts and seeds along with breads and dried fruit; at a healthy weight it allows about an ounce a day. A center dietitian has said they can be worked in for people who don't overeat them.
- Pritikin center: the eating planOrganization page
- Pritikin center video (2023) at 17:07Organization page
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Oil
Added oil should be cut out completely for weight loss.
Partly agreesThe center allows at most a teaspoon of oil per 1,000 calories and says no oil should be treated as a weight-loss food. Its sample menus still include a little canola oil.
- Pritikin center: the eating planOrganization page
- Pritikin center: 14-day meal plan, day oneOrganization page