The New Abs Diet by David Zinczenko sometimes gets a lackluster review since the charge against it is that it provides no new information about fitness or information that can be misleading.  Others describe the book as simple, concise, and full of recipes and exercises that can easily be integrated into diet and workout routines.  Currently there are two versions available, the New Abs Diet for men and the New Abs Diet for women.  The claim is that these combinations of foods and exercises will target abdominal fat and strengthen the core making the stomach flatter.  Critics counter that the body will rid itself of fat deposits as it sees fit and that it is impossible to target specific fat deposits (stomach, thighs, buttocks, wherever).  Regardless of whether or not a dieter believes the claims or counterclaims, the entire program lasts for six weeks so one would find out soon enough anecdotally.

One solid tenet of the New Abs Diet is the 12 power foods which are critical either to burning fat or preserving muscle mass.  The foods are almonds (and other nuts with their skins), beans and legumes, spinach and leafy green vegetables, dairy (fat-free or low-fat), instant oatmeal (unsweetened), eggs, turkey and lean meat, peanut butter (natural, sugar free), olive oil, whole-grain breads and cereals, extra protein (whey) powder, and raspberries (and other berries).  The dieter should incorporate at least three of these foods into every meal (at least three meals per day), and at least one of these foods in every snack (at least two snacks per day).  This makes for at least 11 servings of these 12 power foods per day.  Eating five times a day is recommended so that no more than three hours passes between eating.

In terms of deciding what to eat, the New Abs Diet has many recipes included and even has a couple of New Abs Diet cookbook companions so the menu should never be limited.  Recipes are included for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options and can be quite useful for the dieter that normally doesn’t buy the foods listed above.  The fact that there are few restricted foods makes the diet easier to follow.  The fact that portion sizes aren’t always indicated and calorie counting is merely optional means that this diet is also subject to getting out of hand.  The advice to the dieter of eating until they are satisfied, not until they are stuffed is good advice except for when a dieter’s appetite responses are altered due to stress, previously poor eating habits, illness, or any number of factors that throw off that indicator.

In terms of the exercise component of the New Abs Diet by David Zinczenko he focuses primarily on core training (back, abdominals, gluteus) and interval training, switching between periods of anaerobic training, aerobic exercises, and rest.  The combination is said to be more 9 times more effective than regular cardio or circuit training but this is the subject of more than some debate.  Regardless, it will get the heart pumping and the muscles moving and for a dieter stuck on a weight loss plateau changing up the exercise routine might be just the thing to restart weight loss.

There are certainly many positive aspects to the New Abs Diet.  First, six weeks is a short enough commitment that most people can easily stick to yet long enough a time frame that even if optimum results aren’t achieved noticeable progress might be seen.  Second, the diet portion certainly isn’t short on flavor or variety.  Third, the program retails for relatively inexpensive (around $15).  Lastly any work that is done to strengthen core muscles can go a long way in preventing injuries whether in athletics or in the work place, as well as reducing risk factors for heart disease and diabetes.  Add to that David Zinczenko’s background in fitness and nutrition as well as individualized attention to both the men’s and women’s unique challenges to losing abdominal fat and the New Abs Diet appears to put together a nearly complete diet for those nearing their weight loss goal.

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