The Pioppi diet is named after a village in southern Italy where the population are said to enjoy a longer life expectancy. It is a low-carb, higher-fat plan which the authors claim follows the principles of a Mediterranean diet. We look at whether it’s safe, effective and sustainable.
The Pioppi diet encourages plenty of vegetables, nuts, legumes, and fish, but discourages red meat, starchy carbs and sweet treats.
The diet was created by Dr Aseem Malhotra, a cardiologist, and Donal O’Neill, a former international athlete and documentary film-maker (Cereal Killers).
- It is low-carb, high-fat, and includes dietary changes combined with an active lifestyle, adequate sleep, regular socialization, and alcohol in moderation.
Is there evidence that the Pioppi diet works?
Malhotra and O’Neill make many claims for the diet they’ve devised
- It will help you lose excess body fat, reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes, manage or reverse impaired blood glucose conditions, reduce high medication loads, help to prevent and treat heart disease, and reduce your risk of dementia and cancer
- However, there is no specific research or evidence to support this version of the diet in particular
Who shouldn’t consider the Pioppi diet?
The elderly, those under 18 years of age, those on medication, those who have a low body mass index (BMI) and those with emotional or psychological issues around food.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or have a condition that requires you to keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels you should avoid fasting.
Is the Pioppi diet safe?
Some aspects of the diet are aligned to UK government guidelines
- The diet recommends eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, including fish, and keeping red meat to an average of 70g per day (500g per week)
- It promotes fresh, whole foods cooked from scratch rather than refined foods, and emphasizes an active lifestyle
- However, the diet does not comply with NHS reference intakes for total fat, saturated fat, and carbohydrates
- Guidelines currently promote limiting saturated fat whilst incorporating carbohydrates, preferably the wholegrain variety
Kerry Torrens is a qualified Nutritionist, a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT) and a Guild of Food Writers
Over the last 15 years she has been a contributing author to a number of nutritional and cookery publications including BBC Good Food.
- All health content on bbcgoodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor.
Is the Pioppi diet effective for weight loss?
You are likely to be consuming less food and calories on the plan and may well lose weight, especially if you start to exercise more and fast weekly.
- However, this depends on your starting weight and your existing dietary and exercise habits.
Is the Pioppi diet sustainable in the long-term?
The diet is presented as a 21-day plan with suggestions as to how to continue after the first three weeks
