The Mayr Method: A nutritionist-dietitian weighs in on Rebel Wilson's diet

Rebel Wilson got everyone talking about the Mayr Method after revealing her amazing progress in her fitness journey. She even playfully captioned one of her photos, “Just call me: Fit Amy,” a reference to her famous 'Pitch Perfect' character Fat Amy. But what is the Mayr Method exactly? And how is it done?

From Fat Amy to Fit Amy, thanks to the Mayr Method. / Source: @rebelwilson (IG)

GMANetwork.com reached out to Cheshire Que, RN, RND-RDN Integrative and Functional Nutritionist on Private Practice, to know more about the weight loss program that everyone is very curious about right now.

Cheshire is a notable Philippine and USA Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist/Nurse, with eighteen years of professional experience and expertise. She has also worked with elite personalities such as celebrities and athletes and has served as a trusted consultant for prestigious companies like the Edsa Shangrila Hotel's The Health Club, Skyfitness Manila, Pfizer, Wheatgrass CAN International (formerly Easy Pha-max), Wellness Worx International, The English Tea Shop and Fly Ace Corp.'s Mott's 100% Apple Juice, Old Orchard, Langnese Honey, and Dona Elena among others.

Read on to find out what you need to know about the Mayr Method before trying it out.

What is the Mayr Method?

Contrary to what many believe, the Mayr Method has actually been around for almost a century. It was developed by Austrian physician Dr. Franz Xaver Mayr.

According to Cheshire, the Mayr Method focuses on healing the gut, with an emphasis on fasting and eliminating sugar, alcohol and caffeine. Plus, it also incorporates exercise.

“This is nothing new. Fasting in general has been adapted since ancient times for religious and health purposes. It's just that he (Dr. Mayr) put all of these principles together to make one method.”

There are different aspects of the Mayr Method. The first one is the elimination of trigger foods, just like what Rebel Wilson did when she got rid of gluten, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine from her diet.

“From a functional nutritionist's point of view, we really have the elimination phase when we are healing the gut, meaning you have to remove the triggers, foods that you are sensitive to, not only gluten.

“The problem with just removing gluten in general, the diet will become more restrictive. With Rebel Wilson, she really followed a strict diet.

“So, that's why she lost weight. Naturally, when you cut down on your intake of something, talaga namang mababawasan yung timbang mo in general.

“Which makes it no different from let's say, 'pag nag-Ketogenic diet ka, you remove carbs, talaga namang may restriction, so you lose weight also because it's calorie deficit.”

Aside from gluten, Cheshire said that dairy is also another food that is often removed in elimination diet.

“I'm not saying dairy is bad because it does have health benefits in terms of being a good source of calcium and protein. But when we are talking about healing the gut, dairy is really a no-no.”

As for the exclusion of caffeine, Cheshire is actually opposed to the total removal of it from one's diet, citing that green tea, which has caffeine, also has health benefits.

“For me, yes, you can remove them but do not discount the fact, for example, green tea, we can still actually include it because it has tremendous benefits, in terms of heart health, skin health, and anti-aging properties.”

She then went on to emphasize the positive effects of eliminating trigger foods from one's diet.

“As you heal the gut, just like in the Mayr Method and the Elimination Diet that we do, the body now can digest properly, and then your gut also prevents the absorption of toxic particles and chemicals that mess up with your metabolism and your hormones.”

After eliminating triggers or inflammatory foods, the next step is to repair the gut. This is done by keeping your consumption of processed food at a minimum and eating more whole foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and good fats.

She also underlined that nutrients and plant chemicals or phytochemicals, which act as antioxidants, are needed to heal the gut and quell inflammation. And besides eating more whole foods, taking probiotics is also an essential step in repairing the gut, in order to repopulate or reinoculate good bacteria.

Rebel Wilson in her recent visit to Monaco / Source: @rebelwilson (IG)

Is the Mayr Method for everyone?

Whenever people see a celebrity successfully lose weight, many have the urge to try his or her regimen right away, thinking they will get the same result.

However, Cheshire strongly advises people to consult with a registered nutritionist-dietitian first before trying the Mayr Method or any fad diet in particular.

“You have to have the guidance of a dietitian. Don't go to quacks. You have to see a registered nutritionist-dietitian to guide you. Because, number one, fasting is not for everyone.

“If you are taking medications or insulin shots for diabetes, you cannot do fasting. Hindi rin pwede yung severe caloric restriction sa mga may thyroid issues. It messes with the hormone production and conversion to its active form.”

So, if you have the mentioned medical conditions, it's really best to consult first before trying out the Mayr Method, so your nutritionist-dietitian can make the proper modifications in your weight loss programs.

Speaking of modifications, Cheshire also stressed the importance of having a food intolerance test done when budget allows, so that your diet plan won't be very restrictive.

She explained, “Kasi for example, ako I have wheat and barley intolerance, but in general I am not gluten intolerant. So, kung tinanggal ko lahat yung oats, rye, durum wheat, mare-restrict yung pagkain ko.

“Lahat na ng tinapay bawal, so kailangan yung bread ko would come from rice flour, potato flour, ganyan.

“But since I know I'm only sensitive to wheat and I'm not sensitive to rye, then I can have rye bread.

“But, if you don't want to do the test, we just remove gluten in general. We give the clients a list of gluten-containing foods to avoid.”

Any adverse effects?

Asked about any possible adverse effects of the Mayr Method, Cheshire mentioned a few.

According to her, you can suffer from nutrient imbalances, especially if you do the Mayr Method on your own and you only focus on eliminating trigger foods. Proper nourishment, as well as, correcting nutrient imbalances through conventional food and supplementation should also be a priority.

She also said that some people may get irritable, dehydrated, and experience fainting spells due to low blood-sugar levels caused by fasting and severe caloric restriction.

While Mayr Method emphasizes mindful eating, chewing your food 30 times is not sensible. It removes the pleasure from eating, as well as, puts pressure on the individual.

That's why it's important to seek professional guidance to prevent all of these from happening.

Cheshire Que, RN, RND-RDN Integrative and Function Nutrition on Private Practice

Her verdict on the Mayr Method

Cheshire revealed that she'd definitely choose some principles in the Mayr Method like healing the gut, exercise, mindful eating but not as restrictive, over other fad diets such as the Ketogenic Diet and the South Beach Diet.

“I'd go for some aspects of the Mayr Method under the supervision of a dietitian because healing the gut really is important.

“It may not be for everyone, but some of the principles of the Mayr Method are really sensible. However, there are a lot of limitations and cost involved as you have to travel to their facility to undergo the entire program. There are adjunct therapies that they offer which I am not in the position to comment on. Therefore, the entire method is not sustainable.”

And as a final tip, Cheshire encourages everyone who wants to try the Mayr Method (at least for the diet and exercise part) to do it the right way.

“You have to make sure that you are guided by a registered nutritionist-dietitian. Make sure that you ask for their PRC registration kung taga-Pilipinas kayo. We all have licenses as mandated by Republic Act 10862. If we do not have a license, then we have no right to practice. When it comes to your health, don't take chances, let a professional take care of you.”

“And of course, when I say you heal the gut, mas maganda talaga that you get the food intolerance test, consume minimally processed, whole foods and mostly plant-based.

“If you do not want to spend on that (food intolerance test), then your dietitian can guide you through the elimination process, and then 'pag nag-exercise kayo, get the approval of your doctors, especially if you have a health condition and you are already a senior citizen. Also, get the guidance of a fitness coach.

“The Mayr Method, if done the right way, would be beneficial in some ways. However, emphasis must be given to sustainability of lifestyle and behavior modification. Otherwise, you could simply go back to your old habits and regain much more than you've lost. But I hope this does not become a fad diet because sometimes it gets commercialized. Nawawalan na ng individualization for the clients, which is important.

“You have to individualize it, because otherwise if it's going to be really restrictive, hindi kakayanin ng individual.”

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Check out also 'Ang Pinaka's' list of famous diet plans.