The Snake Diet is an extreme intermittent fasting diet founded by self-styled fasting coach Cole Robinson. (Side note: There is no designated fasting coach credential, so this really isn’t an issue. And based on publicly available information, Robinson has no medical, nutritional, or health coach qualifications.)
In addition to weight loss, the Snake Diet website claims that this form of fasting can lead to tighter, clearer skin, a accelerated metabolismand a reversal of type 2 diabetes. Also, during an appearance on the television show The doctorsRobinson claimed that he used this fasting protocol to cure himself of herpes and help shrink a woman’s brain tumor.
The Snake Diet’s claims of transformational health and six pack abs they are attractive, but there are many red flags. So, let’s break down what the Snake Diet is, how it can (or can’t) help, and how it differs from other forms of fasting.
What is the snake diet?
In a nutshell, the Snake Diet promotes extended fasting periods. Among other studied forms of fasting, people typically have a 16-hour fasting window, or fast (or eat very little) on two non-consecutive days per week. The Snake Diet, on the other hand, suggests fasting for days at a time. On days when you are allowed to eat, the eating window is short: just one to two hours compared to eight hours on a more flexible fasting plan. Other than that, the guidelines are pretty simple. The Snake Diet recommends limiting variety to make meal planning easier and calls for Snake Juice, a blend of Water, sodium and other minerals. Although the website lists the recipe for making snake juice, you can also buy 30 packets for around $40, which can add up quickly when you consider that drinking one to three glasses of snake juice per day is recommended.
Is snake juice healthy?
Snake Juice is designed to provide electrolytes to stay sufficiently hydrated during your fast. However, each package of the commercial product has 1,045 mg of sodium of the upper limit of 2,300 mg per day recommended by our Dietary Guidelines. the American Heart Association says an ideal daily goal is more like 1,500 mg per day. Therefore, drinking up to three packets of this beverage per day can put you over the healthy range and promote high blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes
Also, when your body tries to get rid of excess sodium, calcium goes with it. Since he is fasting, he is not keeping a adequate calcium intakewhich can lead to brittle bones and osteoporosis over time.
Additionally, each packet of Snake Juice contains 100 mg of magnesium citrate. Magnesium is an important mineral that is involved in the regulation of heart rate, blood sugar, blood pressure, nerve function, stress hormones, and supports healthy sleep cycles. However, this way of magnesium it draws water into the colon, which can cause cramping, bloating, and a laxative effect.
All of this points to the fact that in an effort to lose weight, you could be harming your body.
Does the Snake Diet work?
If you were used to eating multiple meals a day and switched to the Snake Diet, you would probably lose weight. But don’t take that as a good idea. As a registered dietitian, I would recommend avoiding the Snake Diet for two main reasons.
There is no scientific validity to the Snake Diet claims
Robinson points to his Facebook community as proof, but anecdotes on Facebook provide no evidence of safety or efficacy. Scientific evidence is a much higher bar than comments and photos in a Facebook group. The best evidence comes from randomized trials, in which one group of people follows one diet and another group follows a different one. Scientists researching weight loss will then compare the groups to see if there was any difference between the two diets and if that difference was significant. They could also look at metrics like waist circumference and markers of metabolic health to see if the intervention influenced people’s health. Finally, they will see if a diet produces side effects and how many people give it up because of those unwanted symptoms. This type of data helps health professionals make sound recommendations.
In the meantime, other forms of intermittent fasting have been rigorously studied, so we may have a starting point for determining their potential safety and effectiveness. For example, in one review among people with type 2 diabetes, scientists evaluated three fasting protocols: an alternate fasting/eating protocol, a two-day non-consecutive fasting protocol, and a time-restricted eating window of four to 12 hours. They concluded that all three plans could lead to weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity and could be helpful in treating type 2 diabetes. (Note that if you have a medical condition, get approval from your doctor before trying any form of intermittent fasting).
The Snake Diet could be harmful
It is difficult, and probably even unlikely, to meet your nutrient needs with one meal a day. In the study on fasting and type 2 diabetes, the researchers raise concerns about meeting nutrient requirements with limited feeding windows, and recommend consulting a registered dietitian for advice. And in case you’re wondering, supplements are not a substitute for a balanced diet, plant-rich diet.
Additionally, the Snake Diet suggests limiting variety in your diet to simplify shopping and meal preparation. But this strategy could also have unintended health consequences. That’s because a diet that includes 30 or more unique plant foods can lead to a more diverse microbiome. A healthy microbiome It influences inflammation, weight, mood, and immunity, so limiting variety could promote health and mood problems.
In addition, you may experience unpleasant side effects such as dizziness, headaches, fainting, constipation and other potentially serious symptoms of extreme fasting.
Also, food is more than fuel. It is at the center of most celebrations, is an integral part of many religious rituals, and promotes social connection. If you’re willing to give up the pleasures of food to engage in extreme dieting, it may be a sign that you have an unhealthy relationship with your body and food. If that’s the case, the Snake Diet (or any extreme diet) could do more damage.
Other concerns with the Snake Diet involve the use of before-and-after weight loss photos to market the plan and Robinson’s embarrassing language. These can promote body dissatisfaction and social pressure to be thin, which is one of the main contributor to eating disorders.
The best diet boils down to what’s realistic for you
While the Snake Diet will likely help you lose weight, that doesn’t make it worth the substantial risks. If you are looking to lose weight, it is better find a more practical approach that supports you physically, socially, and emotionally, even if it leads to more modest weight loss.
In the meantime, other forms of intermittent fasting may be helpful for some people. However, if you have a medical condition, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease or digestive diseases, or are over 65, check with your doctor before trying any type of intermittent fasting. Also, if you are a avid exerciser, think twice before trying intermittent fasting; fasting is not appropriate on active days. Finally, pregnant or lactating women, people with a history of disordered eating or an eating disorder, and those under the age of 18 should avoid intermittent fasting.