The Pituitary Body Type Diet

Dr. Abravanel's Body Type Diet Plans

Dr. Abravanel's Body Type Diet and Lifetime Nutrition Plan outlines a body-typing diet program that claims to help you lose weight and become better in tune with your body type, cravings, and nutritional needs.

In this book, Dr. Elliot D. Abravanel asserts that each person has a "dominant gland," one that is more active than the other major glands in the body. A person's dominant gland influences their metabolism and hormone levels, among other things, which can affect their weight. He claims that certain foods stimulate, impede, or have a neutral effect on each gland. According to Abravanel, a diet consisting mainly of stimulating foods (for your specific dominant gland) can lead to overstimulation, which may cause weight gain.

The book offers a quiz to help readers determine their body type and then details a diet program for each type to follow to optimize their health and maintain a well-balanced body.

Characteristics of the Pituitary Body Type

Of all the types outlined in Dr. Abravanel's book, the pituitary type is said to be the least common. Of those that do fit this type, he says that a majority of them are men.

In people with this body type, the pituitary gland is dominant, meaning it has the biggest influence on your metabolism. The book says that "p-types" tend to gain weight evenly throughout their bodies rather than in one or two specific areas, as is common in other types.

He claims that these people may be described as intellectual, cool, and even detached. They may not be overly interested in sex because of how their overstimulated pituitary gland is affecting their hormone production.

The P-Type Diet

According to this diet plan, foods that stimulate the pituitary gland should be avoided altogether if the goal is to lose weight, and limited if the goal is to maintain weight. Here are the guidelines for the diet:

• Increase protein intake
• Limit fat intake
• Avoid dairy products (except for yogurt)
• Avoid refined starches and sugars
• Increase vegetable intake
• Avoid caffeine

This diet plan features lots of animal protein, plenty of vegetables, moderate amounts of carbohydrates (only from whole grains), and limited fruit. Dr. Abravanel's goal with this diet is for pituitary types to bring their overstimulated pituitary glands back into balance and lose excess weight.

How to Follow This Diet

Dr. Abranavel's pituitary type diet emphasizes the old adage, "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen, and dinner like a pauper." The basis of his claim is that the hormones controlled by the pituitary gland are linked to circadian rhythm; they typically peak just before waking and are at their lowest at night.

P-types should eat a substantial, protein-rich breakfast consisting of meat to give the body energy first thing in the morning; a moderate lunch that also highlights protein to help you avoid snacking; and a light dinner with limited protein to avoid indigestion.

• If you can't stomach meat first thing in the morning, try two eggs instead. If making this change, be sure to include some form of protein (4 ounces) in lunch and dinner.
• Avoid snacking between breakfast and lunch (he recommends eating these meals 4 hours apart) and between lunch and dinner (6 hours apart).
• If you must snack, turn to low-fat ground beef. I recommend meal-prepping some for each week so you always have it ready.

What to Eat in a Day

Below is an example of what a person following Dr. Abravanel's pituitary type diet could eat in a day.

Breakfast

• 4 ounces of lean beef, pork, dark poultry meat, lamb, liver, kidney, or heart
• 1 serving of whole grains: 1 slice of whole grain bread, ½ cup whole grain oats, brown rice, millet, quinoa, or whole grain crackers
• 1 cup of decaf coffee or tea (consider fenugreek tea)

Lunch

• At least 1 cup of vegetables, cooked or raw
• 1 tsp. of vinaigrette (no creamy dressings)
• 4 ounces of fish, chicken, or shellfish
• 1 serving of whole grain
• 1 serving of fruit
• Fenugreek tea

Dinner

• 4 ounces of white poultry or fish, or 2 eggs
• At least 1 cup of vegetables, cooked or raw
• 1 serving of fruit
• Fenugreek tea

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The table below lists food groups and items that should take priority in your diet (plenty foods), those that should be limited (moderation foods), and those that should be avoided altogether if possible (rarely foods).

Pituitary Type Food List

Why Fenugreek Tea?

Fenugreek seeds are commonly used in cooking and alternative medicine. It has been proven to control blood sugar levels and may help increase metabolism, control appetite, and reduce heartburn. Fenugreek seed has a pleasant flavor similar to that of maple syrup and is often used in imitation maple flavorings.

To Make the Tea

1. Boil one teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in a cup of water.
2. Let steep for several minutes.
3. Strain and serve.

You can also purchase fenugreek packaged in tea bags for easier preparation.

P-Type Meal Ideas

Dr. Abravanel prescribes organ meats for pituitary types. It may seem repulsive at first glance, but give it a try for at least 30 days. The results you see might motivate you to stick to the diet. Try the following meals to vary the diet:

• Chicken stir-fry with plenty of veggies
• Beef fajitas with whole grain or corn tortillas and plenty of red pepper and onion (omit sour cream)
• Omelette with fresh herbs, vegetables, and ham
• Tuna salad made of 4 ounces of water-packed tuna (use 1 tablespoon of diet mayonnaise and eat it on 1 slice of whole grain bread)
• Baked white fish or salmon with quinoa pilaf
• Meat options: pork chop, scallops and shrimp, chicken kabobs, chicken salad with 1 tablespoon of diet mayo
• Sauteed liver with fig, bacon, and caramelized onion compote

You'll never get bored with this diet; there are plenty of options to keep things fresh!

Maintain a Healthy Pituitary Gland

With this diet plan, Dr. Abravanel claims that your pituitary gland will be brought back into balance, allowing it to perform its functions optimally.

The pituitary gland plays a major role in the production of many hormones, including those that influence metabolism, regulate energy levels, balance sodium and water levels, reduce inflammation, control blood sugar, and help the reproductive system.

Supporting Nutrients

Although there are limited studies on the effectiveness of Dr. Abravanel's plan, a well-functioning pituitary gland is an important part of your overall health. Research suggests that there are several nutrients that benefit the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus (the area of the brain that controls it). Many of these nutrients are found in the foods Dr. Abravanel suggests for the p-type diet, including:

• omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish)
• thiamine (found in yogurt, pork, fish)
• polyphenols (found in berries and some vegetables)

Diets for Other Body Types

• Body Types Diet: Thyroid Body Type
  If you are looking for a healthy diet tailored to your unique metabolism, Dr. Abravanel's Body Type Diet may be just the thing for you. Learn about the diet recommended for thyroid types.
• Dr. Abravanel's Diet Plan: Gonadal Body Type
  If you are a gonadal metabolism type, learn how to eat with Dr. Abravanel's Lifestyle and Diet Plan.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

Comments

Vespa Woolf (author) from Peru, South America on October 11, 2014:

It's true AudreyHowitt. I hope you found this information useful.

Nadine May from Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa on October 10, 2014:

Your article made me do the test. Thank you for all the information.

Audrey Howitt from California on October 09, 2014:

So interesting--this series really points out how different we can be

Vespa Woolf (author) from Peru, South America on July 18, 2014:

I agree FlourishAnyway!

Elaina Baker from USA on July 18, 2014:

This is an interesting series, vespawoolf. I think anyone could try something for 30 days if they were committed enough.

Vespa Woolf (author) from Peru, South America on July 15, 2014:

ChitrangadaSharan, I agree!

Vespa Woolf (author) from Peru, South America on July 15, 2014:

AliciaC, thanks for reading!

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on July 14, 2014:

Great hub with lots of useful information!

This 30 day plan looks interesting and worth trying. After all who doesn't want to loose those extra kilos.

Thanks for sharing and voted up!

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on July 13, 2014:

Thanks for another informative hub in your diet plan series, vespawoolf. It's very interesting to learn about Dr. Abravanel's theories.

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on July 12, 2014:

The menus looks healthy and so good.