The Claim “There is no calorie-counting, no carb-cutting, no pill-popping, no concoction shake thing, no reliance on special supplements,” says Harley Pasternak, author of The 5-Factor Diet. “There is no math involved,” Pasternak explains.

The Reality Do not be fooled; when it comes to evaluating a diet, math is important. For example, I have counted five nos in the Harley’s quote (above) – so maybe his diet book should be called The 5-NOs Diet instead of The 5-Factor Diet.

Joking aside, the 5-Factor diet prescribes eating five meals a day, with each meal incorporating five key ingredients (protein, carbohydrates, fiber, healthy fat and a sugar-free beverage).

The recipes are easy peasy, and the meals should not take long to prepare. In addition, you are allowed one cheat day a week to eat whatever you want, which is a strategy I adore.

Since Harley Pasternak is a celebrity trainer, I dusted off my baloney detection kit fully expecting to come across some pseudoscientific detox fad – you know, like downing boiled broccoli broth three times a day to burn more fat.

Despite my determination to find serious flaws in this diet, the siren on the baloney detection kit remained silent. What a “disappointment”! Having said that, the 5-Factor diet does not bring anything new to the proverbial “diet table.”

But if you are looking for a structured diet and exercise program, give it a shot.