The Mayr Diet

There are many diets to consider when trying to lose weight, maintain weight, or even gain weight. Rebel Wilson’s incredible weight-loss has raised many questions and brought the spotlight to the Mayr Diet.

What is the Mayr Diet?

Franz Xaver Mayr, known as Dr. F.X. Mayr, was an Austrian Gastroenterology physician. The main focus of his work was the diagnosis of the intestinal region and the effort to promote the regeneration of the patient through its rehabilitation. The therapy concept developed from this is known as F.X. Mayr Kur. 

4 Pillars of the Mayr Diet & Regeneration

The Mayr Diet triggers and stimulates the healing and regeneration of the mind, body, and soul. There are 4 principles on which the Mayr Diet is based upon:

Rest 

Your digestive system is working constantly throughout the day. Resting and being mindful gives the body a chance to regenerate thus promoting relief and healing. 

Cleansing 

Detoxing therapies such as exercise, massages, detoxing baths, and drinking water, are just a few ways to help your body through the cleansing process. 

Education 

Understanding your body’s movement, needs, and functionality is important. Learning and training your mind with new eating habits as well as knowing what exercise your body needs boosts regeneration. 

Substitution 

Finding out and knowing what deficiencies your body has is crucial your body’s restoration. Supplementing your body with nutrients is good, but you need to know what your body needs and how much it needs. Healthy cooking with fresh ingredients is essential to the body’s needs for regeneration. 

Getting Started on the Mayr Diet

The true Mayr Diet can be done by checking yourself into a medical wellness and detox center such as the VIVAMAYR. The wellness clinic states that they combine modern complementary medicine with traditional diagnostics and therapies according to F.X. Mayr. It goes on to say that once they have treated your condition, proper nutrition combined with exercise and improved mental awareness become the building blocks of your new life. But, what if you can’t afford a visit to the clinic? How can you follow the Mayr Diet?

Dr. Harald Stossier and Helena Frith Powell published a book called The Viva Mayr Diet:14 Days to a Flatter Stomach and a Younger You which explains the simple principles of the diet and step-by-step practical practical planning for those using the diet method. The authors share their experiences of following the diet with insight and humor, providing tips on what to expect, how to avoid pitfalls, and how to reap the benefits of looking and feeling better.

Some of the Fundamental Rules & Guidelines of the Mayr Diet

Mild Fasting 

Getting started on the Mayr Diet at home would include a mild fast (such as intermittent fasting) to detox and cleanse your body. This will likely bring about side effects such as headaches, cramping, nausea, fatigue (to name a few). 

Zero Snacking

The Mayr Diet is strongly against snacking and promotes having a bigger breakfast with a smaller (or no) dinner. In general, the diet advises you not to eat after 4 or 5 p.m. 

Healthy Eating 

The Mayr doctors believe that cold raw food is tough on the digestion.  Their principles revolve around getting the right acid/alkaline balance in the body and not stressing the gut with problematic foods and food combinations. Therefore, try to avoid mixing/combining protein foods with carbohydrates. While the diet itself does not have many food restrictions, it encourages you to avoid cow’s dairy and replace it with alternative milks and creams. 

Stop Counting Calories

This seems contradictory to just about every other diet out there! But, Mayr Doctors believe that as long a meal is a nutrient dense and healthy,  it will have little to no impact on your weight but rather satisfy your body with the nutrients it needs. 

Avoid Distractions While Eating

The diet promotes sitting at a table, focusing on your food and being mindful while eating.  This means no reading, television, working, or being on your phone while eating. They even encourage no talking to others while eating. Simply focus on your food. 

No Cold Liquids with Meals

This diet strongly discourages cold liquids or drinks while eating. The Mayr doctors also note that you should not have anything to drink at least 30 minutes before eating and at least 1 hour after eating. A glass of wine (possibly at room temperature) with a meal is considered acceptable but should only be consumed with a teaspoon. 

Smell and Chew Your Food

Taking the time to smell your food before you eat it makes your brain signal to your digestive system to fire up the right enzymes and acids required to digest the food which is being consumed. Chewing your food may seem like a strange thing to note for any diet, after all, don’t we all chew our food? But the Mayr Diet strongly advocates chewing your food 50+ times before swallowing it! The more you chew, the more your body is able to absorb the essential nutrients in the food. 

Limit Caffeine Intake

While the Mayr Diet “condones” one cup of coffee a day, however, it strongly suggests you should avoid all caffeine products. They advocate herbal teas and still, non carbonated (room temperature) water. 

While Rebel Wilson has had remarkable results, it is important to remember that she has done so with a team of doctors, personal trainers, and much more support than what we know of. The Mayr Diet may get a lot more support now that a celebrity has advocated for it, even though it has been 100+ years in the making thanks to Dr. F.X. Mayr. 

Disclaimer: Before starting any new diet and exercise program please check with your doctor and clear any exercise and/or diet changes with them before beginning. We at LivingBetter50 are NOT doctors, nutritionists or registered dietitians. We do not claim to help cure any condition or disease. LivingBetter50 does not provide medical aid or nutrition advise for the purpose of health or disease nor do we claim to be doctors or dietitians. Any product recommendation is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Our statements and information have not necessarily been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

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