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When it comes to dietary restrictions, Noom and Engine 2 take very different approaches, reflecting the philosophies behind each program. While Noom leans on moderation and balance, Engine 2 takes a stricter stance, advocating for the elimination of certain food groups altogether. Let’s dive deeper into what foods are restricted, or in some cases, encouraged, on both Noom and Engine 2, and explore how these restrictions might impact your diet and lifestyle.
Noom’s Approach to Food: Balance and Moderation
Noom isn’t about restriction as much as it is about making smart, informed choices. The program uses a color-coded system—green, yellow, and red—to categorize foods based on their calorie density. The idea is to encourage users to eat more foods that are lower in calories but rich in nutrients (green foods), while eating fewer foods that are calorie-dense (red foods).
- Green foods include items like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins. These are low in calories but high in volume and nutrients, making them the foods that Noom encourages you to eat the most.
- Yellow foods are higher in calories than green foods but still provide valuable nutrients. Foods like avocado, lean meats, and dairy products fall into this category. They are considered healthy but should be eaten in moderation.
- Red foods are calorie-dense and provide less nutritional value. This category includes processed snacks, sugary drinks, and high-fat meats. Noom doesn’t completely restrict red foods, but it does suggest that users consume them sparingly.
The brilliance of Noom’s system is its flexibility. Nothing is strictly off-limits, meaning you can still enjoy your favorite treats or indulgences without feeling guilty. The program emphasizes moderation and portion control, which can be appealing to those who want to lose weight but don’t want to feel deprived. This flexibility is especially important in a culture like the USA, where food choices are abundant and temptations are everywhere.
Engine 2: A Stricter, Plant-Based Approach
Engine 2, in contrast, takes a more restrictive approach, with a laser focus on plant-based, whole foods. Founded by Rip Esselstyn, a former firefighter and triathlete, Engine 2 eliminates several entire food groups, aiming to promote heart health and reverse chronic diseases. The Engine 2 diet is rooted in the belief that food can be medicine, and it requires strict adherence to its rules to achieve maximum health benefits.
Here’s what Engine 2 restricts:
- Animal products: All meat, dairy, and eggs are completely eliminated. The philosophy behind this restriction is that animal products are linked to a variety of chronic health issues, including heart disease and cancer.
- Oils: Engine 2 bans all oils, even those that are considered healthy, like olive oil or coconut oil. The program argues that oils are calorie-dense and provide little nutritional value, contributing to weight gain and clogging arteries.
- Processed foods: Engine 2 also restricts all processed and refined foods, including anything with added sugars or artificial ingredients. The diet encourages whole, unprocessed plant foods, meaning fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes make up the majority of your meals.
The Engine 2 diet is more restrictive than Noom because it eliminates entire categories of foods rather than encouraging moderation. For some, this strictness can be a game-changer. By removing all animal products, oils, and processed foods, Engine 2 forces you to rely on nutrient-dense, whole foods, which can lead to significant health improvements and weight loss. However, the rigidity of the diet can also make it more difficult to follow long-term, particularly for those who enjoy occasional indulgences or lead a busy lifestyle where convenience foods are sometimes necessary.
How Restrictive Are These Diets in Practice?
In practice, the level of restriction between Noom and Engine 2 can feel worlds apart. Noom’s system is built to accommodate your current lifestyle, helping you make gradual changes that lead to better long-term habits. There’s room for indulgence, and you’re never made to feel guilty for enjoying your favorite foods in moderation. This can be especially important in the U.S., where food culture is diverse and celebrations often revolve around food.
Engine 2, on the other hand, requires a complete overhaul of how you approach eating. The diet’s restrictions may feel extreme at first, especially if you’re used to eating animal products or cooking with oils. However, for those committed to making dramatic changes for health reasons, Engine 2’s strictness can be exactly what they need to see lasting results.
Which Program Is Right for You?
Choosing between Noom and Engine 2 depends largely on your personal goals and how much flexibility you need in your diet. If you want to lose weight but still enjoy occasional indulgences, Noom’s system of moderation may be a better fit. The app’s psychological approach to eating habits, combined with its color-coded food categories, offers a way to eat healthier without feeling overly restricted.
On the other hand, if you’re dealing with chronic health issues or want to adopt a completely plant-based, oil-free diet for the sake of longevity and disease prevention, Engine 2 might be the way to go. Its strict guidelines can help you achieve significant health improvements, but they require dedication and a willingness to give up some of the foods you might be used to.
The Science Behind Food Restrictions: Why They Matter
Both Noom and Engine 2 are grounded in science, but they take different approaches to how food restrictions impact health. Noom focuses on calorie density and the psychological aspects of eating. By teaching users to prioritize nutrient-dense, lower-calorie foods, Noom helps them create sustainable habits that can lead to weight loss over time.
Engine 2, by contrast, is built on research that links animal products, oils, and processed foods to chronic diseases. The diet’s founder, Rip Esselstyn, advocates for a plant-strong diet that maximizes whole, unprocessed foods. While the restrictions may feel intense, they are designed to help the body heal and thrive by cutting out foods that contribute to inflammation and disease.
Conclusion: Flexibility vs. Structure
In the end, both Noom and Engine 2 offer valuable tools for improving your diet, but they cater to different needs. Noom’s flexibility makes it ideal for those who want to make gradual changes without feeling overly restricted. Its color-coded system allows users to enjoy a wide variety of foods while still losing weight and making healthier choices.
Engine 2, with its stricter rules, is perfect for individuals who are ready to commit to a dramatic lifestyle change. By cutting out animal products, oils, and processed foods, followers of the Engine 2 diet can see significant improvements in their health and well-being, but the rigidity of the diet can make it difficult to maintain in the long run.
Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your personal health goals, lifestyle, and how much flexibility you want in your eating habits. Whether you prefer Noom’s balanced approach or Engine 2’s plant-based focus, both programs offer pathways to better health—it’s just a matter of choosing the one that fits your needs.
