The Sensa Diet is a diet that was designed by a neurologist named Dr. Alan Hirsch. Dr. Alan Hirsch came up with the idea that by intensifying the smells and flavors of the foods we eat, we can trick our brains into thinking it has eaten more than it actually has and cause us to feel full quicker while eating. The Sensa diet is also referred to as the “sprinkle diet” because it consists of using a special formula sprinkled on the food prior to eating.
Dr. Alan Hirsch also claims that in order to lose weight with this diet, all you have to do is use this product and the weight will start coming off. There is no need to change your diet or to exercise more. This may sound like a great thing to those who do not want to stop eating their favorite foods or those that hate exercising. However, without a balanced and healthy diet and some sort of physical activity, this diet does not offer any healthy benefits. If you decide to use this method of weight loss you should consider using the Sensa flakes on foods that are healthy. By continuing to eat junks foods that are high in sugars and fats, you will never be able to improve your health, even if you are a few pounds lighter.
Studies have shown that this diet can work for many people. Those who did not change their diet or increase their physical activity level still lost weight. However, without treating the reason behind overeating and weight gain, people are more likely to gain the weight back once the Sensa is removed from the diet routine. Sensa can fool your brain while using it, but Sensa has not been on the market long enough to tell if there are long term side effects to ingesting the ingredients on a regular basis. The ingredients in Sensa include maltodextrin, silica, FD&C Yellow 5, Carmine, soy ingredients, milk ingredients, and tricalcium phosphate. It is claimed that the ingredients in Sensa are all natural however taken in large quantities they have not been studied extensively.
For those that already eat healthy but are just trying to eat less, Sensa may be the right option for you. Using Sensa long term may not be the way to go, but if used over a short amount of time you may notice a difference in your weight. While using Sensa it is best to exercise a few times a week in order to maximize your weight loss efforts.
Sensa can become quite costly for those that use it often. Costing about $60 a month, Sensa can be rough on the pockets. You can imagine what the cost would be if a person became dependent on Sensa for maintaining their weight loss goals. This is why it is very important for a person to learn how to make healthier lifestyle changes and better food choices. Using Sensa can give you a jump start but it is your personal responsibility to take charge of your health and weight to prevent from needing Sensa for the rest of your life.
As with any new diet plan, you should first consult your physician to ensure it is the right choice for you. If you have a medical condition, are taking medications, or are pregnant or lactating then you should always talk to your doctor about the ingredients in your diet product. Not all diets are good for everyone and they can interfere with medical conditions or medications. Although Sensa may be an easy way to lessen your food consumption, make sure you get your doctor’s approval before taking it.
Jackie Hogan, MS, RD is a registered dietitian based in Los Angeles. She is a member of the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (CAND-LAD) and the Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine Practice Group and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Jackie has been featured on Women’s Health, Fitness Magazine, Women’s Fitness, and Men’s Fitness magazine.
