Bernstein Diet

Dr. Stanley Bernstein is a Canadian physician who specializes in medically-supervised weight loss programs. Dr Bernstein’s weight loss practice began in 1974 – and has now grown to over 50 clinics in Canada alone. Dr. Bernstein’s program is clinic-based only – and there are currently clinics in Canada and the USA.

What is the Bernstein Diet?

The Bernstein Diet aims to lose 4-5 pounds per week and involves 3 visits to the clinic each week during the program.
The Bernstein diet program is a combination of low calorie diet (regular grocery
store foods), behavior modification, education and vitamin and mineral supplements. The daily calorie intake could be anywhere between
800 — 1350 calories per day – it is a case-by-case situation.

The diet claims that only fat tissue is lost during this rapid weight loss phase, and all other tissue (muscle, electrolytes, fluid) is retained. One of the major features of the diet is the vitamin and mineral supplementation – this is achieved by vitamin injections.
Updated:Patients receive a Vitamin B complex injection.

Dr. Bernstein has a number of phases on the diet – a Weight Loss phase, a maintenance phase and also the “tune-up” diet for small amounts of weight loss.

Foods on the Bernstein Diet

Here is a sample of the kind of foods found on the Doctor Bernstein Diet.

Protein

veal cutlet
chicken livers
small steak
chicken breasts
shrimp
tuna
white fish

Fruit and Vegetables

celery
mushrooms
tomatoes
lettuce
bean sprouts
cabbage

tomato sauce
apples
lemons
oranges
green, orange, red and yellow peppers

Bread Substitutes

triscuits
melba toast

Spices and Seasonings
bay leaves
dried herbs
caraway seeds

soya sauce

Beverages and Miscellaneous
liquid Sweetener
Hermasetas/Equal
Jello Light
herbal tea

decaffeinated coffee
club soda

The Bernstein diet also has a number of other foods allowed.

More low calorie recipes can be found here.

I was on this diet about 7 years ago and absolutely loved it
I must tell you the first week might the very hardest week ,but after 7 days you will have the energy to continue strong. It is well worth the money even if for only a month and then continue on your own,you can tell them you can’t afford it after the first month,continue on maintence but follow the diet as you were the first month, at least u still get on injection and a week and still u are able to visit the clinic for your weign in.

by Maria on 2/2/10

oops I meant 1 injection per week.

by Maria on 2/2/10

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that I bought the Vitamin B12 from Rexall ($10.99) and Vitamin B6 from Shoppers ($53.95) injections. Both were available without a perscription. Walmart has the Vitamin B12 shots much cheaper ($4.99, I think).

If you’re having trouble finding the B6, ask them if they carry Pyridoxine HCl (Hydrocholoric Acid). That’s the trade name. They should be able to order it for you.

by Trish on 2/3/10

Trish, was that in Canada? Where you purchased the vitamin B6 and B12 as injection type and without a prescription?

by BJ on 2/5/10

I am jumping on the wagon as well and would love a food list so I can be prepared when I start next Monday

Thank you!!!

arinanddavid@hotmail.com

by Arin on 2/7/10

Hi … I’m thinking of doing the Dr. Bernstein diet and here are a few questions I have:

1) Has anyone actually done the maintenance portion of the Dr. B diet? If so, can you tell us what exactly they will do for clients at that time?

2) I’ve read that the Dr B program can kick people out of the program if they don’t lose weight, especially towards the end. Is it not possible for people say to be gaining muscle, and therefore weight, if they started exercising?

3) In the food list, you can anyone recommend which brands of food tastes best say in the Bread Substitutes, Protein, and Vegetarian sections? Hoping to minimize the trail and error in figuring out what tastes best.

Thanks in advance for helping me answer these questions.

Kickass ))

by kickass on 2/8/10

Come on people do your reading! Firestart has kindly posted on January 18, 2010 the links to where you can get the food lists, as follows:

Food list for US/Canada can be downloaded from here:

http://rapidshare.com/files/337201479/CanadaFoolList.zip

http://rapidshare.com/files/337202234/USFoodList.zip

So you all might wanna stop posting your emails … unless you wanna get alot of spam mail!

by no-nonsense on 2/8/10

Hi BJ,

I posted something yesterday, but I don’t see it on the board

I actually bought both injections in Toronto. B12 is readily available everyone without prescription. Your best bet is Walmart, they’re the cheapest (around $5 per vial). I paid $10.99 at Rexall.

B6 is a little different. Some pharmacies require a prescription and some don’t. I called a few pharmacies; Loblaws, Sobeys and Walmart (in my area) all require prescriptions for B6. Shoppers does not. Try the Shoppers at Kipling and Dundas, if you’re in the west end of Toronto.

Neobex is also available at Shoppers without a prescription; they normally don’t have it in stock. Just ask them to order it. If I ordered it on Sunday, I would have received it on Monday. I decided to go with the B12 and B6 shots for a couple of reasons; 1. I didn’t receive the yellow serum at Dr. Bernstein’s that often and 2. It was really expensive ($92.00 for 10ml).

The insulin syringes are available pretty much everywhere. Bought mine at Shoppers, Walmart would probably have them cheaper.

Since adminstering the shots my self (1 week so far) and following the diet, I’ve lost 4.4 pounds

Good luck!

by Trish on 2/9/10

Has anyone tried doing the diet and shots themselves and….how’d it go?

by Kat on 2/10/10

I cant thank you all enough for the information i found here. I am still confused a bit about what to buy tho.. Am I looking for Neo-Bex or am i looking to buy the B6 and B12, or is it all 3 just need a lil clarification any help would be greatly appreciated

by WoWza on 2/15/10

How much of the Vitmain B6 & B12 do u inject?

by Sherry on 2/16/10

@sherry this has already been answered in the comments.

by ted on 2/17/10

hi everyone
i am interested in doing the bernstein diet on my own because it is cheaper. can someone tell me how much of the injections should be taken daily and what are the injections. where can i get the injections and what are the forbidden foods and foods we can eat?
thanks.

by sandy on 2/18/10

Please read through the older comments as I’m pretty sure you’ll find the answer to your questions, Thanks!

by ted on 2/18/10

Thanks for all the info every one !! I am going to see if I can pick all I need at a pharmacy in Oshawa today. I followed this the B diet a while back so I do know the food list. I just hope I can get the vit b6 and b12 along with the syringes no problem, the cal-k and swiss one 50 is easily attained.

by phatchic on 2/20/10

Hi All,

Thank you for the advice on the injections at home.

My local Dr. B Clinic is full of not so positive energy and the Dr. on hand has the worst bedside manner I have every seen in a so called “professional”.

I have been on the program Since December 8, 2009 and have lost 41.8lbs.

I have gone in and out of ketosis with no rhyme or reason and have had to struggle on my own with minimal support from the Dr. B staff.

At this point I have paid a lot of money and I have definitely seen results…I am completely disheartened with the clinic, so I will be taking all of your advice and trying to do this at home.

I have spoken with my own physician and he says he can see no reason it shouldn’t still work without the assistance of the clinic.

I’ll write again soon. Good luck everyone since losing and keeping weight off are an incredible battle.

by Superstar on 2/23/10

I love all the comments…. my question is i have been doing the Bernstein diet at home by myself since July and i have lost 38 pounds which is great however i have only been using the vitamin B12 because i couldn’t find the B6 inject able so if i find this are you mixing the shot in one needle ???? and how much are you injecting in total and how often ??? right now i am doing 100 ml three times a week and just following all of the other vitamins orally including the B6 your advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

by Excited on 2/24/10

Seems every one uses insulin syringes but both neobex and the b12 are for intramuscular use. Does anyone use IM syringes?

by Denise on 2/24/10

Hi Denise
you can use an IM syringe, however you should understand that the IM needle is long because it is used to inject into the muscle which you are not going to do for this diet.The inslulin syringes are used for SC injections, and you can get them with a 1/2 inch needle, which is plenty. I must caution you when using the IM syringe that you DO NOT go in too deep, I myself use the insulin syringe and recommend it, since it is you giving yourself the injection and not a health care professional.

Excited…. you can purchase your B6 at Shoppers, but you will probably have to order it they do not have it on hand but it usually only takes a day to get it. As stated in earlier posts on this site, you use .35cc of b6 and .35cc of b12 3 days a week (ie MON, Wed, Fri). I hope this helps you both out, Good Luck with the weight loss !

by phatchic on 2/25/10

I started the Dr. Bernstein diet on Feb 16. The first week I lost 3.5 pounds. This week, so far from Tuesday to Friday, I’ve lost 1.5 pounds. That’s a total of 5 pounds in 9 days. I guess I’m upset cause they keep telling people that they can loose around 4 to 5 pounds a week and that hasn’t been my case even though I’ve been diligently following the food plan.

The nurses are telling me that my weight loss will be less cause I’m a small person to begin with. I’m like 4’9 in height and weighed in at 115 pounds. I’m trying to loose the 20 pounds which I gained over the last two years since I stopped smoking and working. My weight may seem really light to you, but the extra weight I’m carrying around is actually giving me bad back and knee pains.

I’m disappointed that I’m not losing the weight as quickly as they say is possible. Then again, two nurses have told me that the last 10 or so pounds is the hardest to get rid of.

I have another 1.5 weeks left for what I paid and then I will likely go on maintenance and then try and continue the program on my own while on maintenace.

My point here … I just wanted to share my frustration in loosing so little weight.

by Disheartened on 2/26/10

Can anyone tell me the last date of the food list I have last july and wonder if there is a new one.
Can you tell me the cost again…thanks

by Angel on 2/28/10

Could someone pls tell what is the dosage for b6 and b12 as well as the injection location . Greatly appreciated everyone

by Angela on 2/28/10

Disheartened – been there, done that! I understand exactly what you are going through as I have been there myself. When I did the diet in 2005, the last 10 lbs were the hardest to get off and took longer to lose than the first 25. My goal was 105 (I am also small in stature) and struggled from 115 down.

However – the diet does work! If you boost your water intake and up your exercise the weight will come off. Motivation becomes very difficult but you just need to keep reminding yourself of the end result. It will be worth it.

Good luck,
Brenda

by Brenda on 2/28/10

Dishearted…. don’t be feeling down about losing 5 lbs in 2 weeks, you are just that much closer to your weight goal. You mentioned you have quit smoking (congrats) so that will slow your metabolim down as well. Do you drink alot of water while doing the diet?? I too am not very tall(5’3″)and have about 30 to lose and have gone to the Dr. B clinic in the past myself and some weeks were really good, and others really sucked or at least I thought it did. My point here is keep going, you will probably do better this week. Drink lots of water and keep your diet stict and things will change. Maybe a little cardio this week will help start things get going. You can do this. Let me know how you do this week.

by phatchic on 2/28/10

hey guys…..this is my last attempt at this diet….i have done this diet from the clinic and then at home and was successful at both times….however because its not a realistic diet, even when eating healthier but in more quantity has made me gain a few pounds…. so iam going at it once and for all with absolute no cheats! wish me luck guys! i need to lose about 15 pounds

by nadia on 2/28/10

Hi I am just starting the diet at home but by reading everything on here if seems my food list might be a little out dated! Would love a current list if someone wouldn’t mind emailing it!
Greatly appreciate it!’

by Chey on 2/28/10

Chey, if you look through some of the past comments a person posted links to where you can get the food lists.

by ted on 3/1/10

Hi every one!! well I am down 4.6 lbs this week. How is everyone else out there doing?? Would anyone care to share how they are doing? I would love to hear from people who are doing this, I think it would encourage myself and others who are just starting out. Thanks and good luck !!

by phatchic on 3/3/10

Hi, I just wanted to say I am really happy that there is a forum for Dr. Bernstein. I did this diet in 2002 and lost over 50lbs. However, I gained a LOT of weight during my second pregnancy and now have to lose the weight again. My biggest weight was 222 lbs, I am currently 206 lbs and have to get to 130 lbs. I cannot afford to go back to Dr. Bernstein but I am sooo happy that you can find the injections over the counter. I am having a hard time finding Cal-K. Does anyone know where I can buy it? The shoppers near me (in Ottawa) does not carry it and they have never heard of it. They even checked thier books and could not find it. I’ve tried other pharmacies around and I am having no luck. I am starting this diet on my own from tomorrow and will keep posting once a month on my progress. Wish me luck! P.S. I can still log in on the Dr.B website and access the food list and menus!

by Sara on 3/3/10

Oops…make that karenshaver@rogers.com

Thanks!!

by Karen on 2/2/10
I was on this diet about 7 years ago and absolutely loved it
I must tell you the first week might the very hardest week ,but after 7 days you will have the energy to continue strong. It is well worth the money even if for only a month and then continue on your own,you can tell them you can’t afford it after the first month,continue on maintence but follow the diet as you were the first month, at least u still get on injection and a week and still u are able to visit the clinic for your weign in.

by Maria on 2/2/10
oops I meant 1 injection per week.

by Maria on 2/2/10
Hi everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that I bought the Vitamin B12 from Rexall ($10.99) and Vitamin B6 from Shoppers ($53.95) injections. Both were available without a perscription. Walmart has the Vitamin B12 shots much cheaper ($4.99, I think).

If you’re having trouble finding the B6, ask them if they carry Pyridoxine HCl (Hydrocholoric Acid). That’s the trade name. They should be able to order it for you.

by Trish on 2/3/10
Trish, was that in Canada? Where you purchased the vitamin B6 and B12 as injection type and without a prescription?

by BJ on 2/5/10
I am jumping on the wagon as well and would love a food list so I can be prepared when I start next Monday

Thank you!!!

arinanddavid@hotmail.com

by Arin on 2/7/10
Hi … I’m thinking of doing the Dr. Bernstein diet and here are a few questions I have:

1) Has anyone actually done the maintenance portion of the Dr. B diet? If so, can you tell us what exactly they will do for clients at that time?

2) I’ve read that the Dr B program can kick people out of the program if they don’t lose weight, especially towards the end. Is it not possible for people say to be gaining muscle, and therefore weight, if they started exercising?

3) In the food list, you can anyone recommend which brands of food tastes best say in the Bread Substitutes, Protein, and Vegetarian sections? Hoping to minimize the trail and error in figuring out what tastes best.

Thanks in advance for helping me answer these questions.

Kickass ))

by kickass on 2/8/10
Come on people do your reading! Firestart has kindly posted on January 18, 2010 the links to where you can get the food lists, as follows:

Food list for US/Canada can be downloaded from here:

http://rapidshare.com/files/337201479/CanadaFoolList.zip

http://rapidshare.com/files/337202234/USFoodList.zip

So you all might wanna stop posting your emails … unless you wanna get alot of spam mail!

by no-nonsense on 2/8/10
Hi BJ,

I posted something yesterday, but I don’t see it on the board

I actually bought both injections in Toronto. B12 is readily available everyone without prescription. Your best bet is Walmart, they’re the cheapest (around $5 per vial). I paid $10.99 at Rexall.

B6 is a little different. Some pharmacies require a prescription and some don’t. I called a few pharmacies; Loblaws, Sobeys and Walmart (in my area) all require prescriptions for B6. Shoppers does not. Try the Shoppers at Kipling and Dundas, if you’re in the west end of Toronto.

Neobex is also available at Shoppers without a prescription; they normally don’t have it in stock. Just ask them to order it. If I ordered it on Sunday, I would have received it on Monday. I decided to go with the B12 and B6 shots for a couple of reasons; 1. I didn’t receive the yellow serum at Dr. Bernstein’s that often and 2. It was really expensive ($92.00 for 10ml).

The insulin syringes are available pretty much everywhere. Bought mine at Shoppers, Walmart would probably have them cheaper.

Since adminstering the shots my self (1 week so far) and following the diet, I’ve lost 4.4 pounds

Good luck!

by Trish on 2/9/10
Has anyone tried doing the diet and shots themselves and….how’d it go?

by Kat on 2/10/10
I cant thank you all enough for the information i found here. I am still confused a bit about what to buy tho.. Am I looking for Neo-Bex or am i looking to buy the B6 and B12, or is it all 3 just need a lil clarification any help would be greatly appreciated

by WoWza on 2/15/10
How much of the Vitmain B6 & B12 do u inject?

by Sherry on 2/16/10
@sherry this has already been answered in the comments.

by ted on 2/17/10
hi everyone
i am interested in doing the bernstein diet on my own because it is cheaper. can someone tell me how much of the injections should be taken daily and what are the injections. where can i get the injections and what are the forbidden foods and foods we can eat?
thanks.

by sandy on 2/18/10
Please read through the older comments as I’m pretty sure you’ll find the answer to your questions, Thanks!

by ted on 2/18/10
Thanks for all the info every one !! I am going to see if I can pick all I need at a pharmacy in Oshawa today. I followed this the B diet a while back so I do know the food list. I just hope I can get the vit b6 and b12 along with the syringes no problem, the cal-k and swiss one 50 is easily attained.

by phatchic on 2/20/10
Hi All,

Thank you for the advice on the injections at home.

My local Dr. B Clinic is full of not so positive energy and the Dr. on hand has the worst bedside manner I have every seen in a so called “professional”.

I have been on the program Since December 8, 2009 and have lost 41.8lbs.

I have gone in and out of ketosis with no rhyme or reason and have had to struggle on my own with minimal support from the Dr. B staff.

At this point I have paid a lot of money and I have definitely seen results…I am completely disheartened with the clinic, so I will be taking all of your advice and trying to do this at home.

I have spoken with my own physician and he says he can see no reason it shouldn’t still work without the assistance of the clinic.

I’ll write again soon. Good luck everyone since losing and keeping weight off are an incredible battle.

by Superstar on 2/23/10
I love all the comments…. my question is i have been doing the Bernstein diet at home by myself since July and i have lost 38 pounds which is great however i have only been using the vitamin B12 because i couldn’t find the B6 inject able so if i find this are you mixing the shot in one needle ???? and how much are you injecting in total and how often ??? right now i am doing 100 ml three times a week and just following all of the other vitamins orally including the B6 your advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

by Excited on 2/24/10
Seems every one uses insulin syringes but both neobex and the b12 are for intramuscular use. Does anyone use IM syringes?

by Denise on 2/24/10
Hi Denise
you can use an IM syringe, however you should understand that the IM needle is long because it is used to inject into the muscle which you are not going to do for this diet.The inslulin syringes are used for SC injections, and you can get them with a 1/2 inch needle, which is plenty. I must caution you when using the IM syringe that you DO NOT go in too deep, I myself use the insulin syringe and recommend it, since it is you giving yourself the injection and not a health care professional.

Excited…. you can purchase your B6 at Shoppers, but you will probably have to order it they do not have it on hand but it usually only takes a day to get it. As stated in earlier posts on this site, you use .35cc of b6 and .35cc of b12 3 days a week (ie MON, Wed, Fri). I hope this helps you both out, Good Luck with the weight loss !

by phatchic on 2/25/10
I started the Dr. Bernstein diet on Feb 16. The first week I lost 3.5 pounds. This week, so far from Tuesday to Friday, I’ve lost 1.5 pounds. That’s a total of 5 pounds in 9 days. I guess I’m upset cause they keep telling people that they can loose around 4 to 5 pounds a week and that hasn’t been my case even though I’ve been diligently following the food plan.

The nurses are telling me that my weight loss will be less cause I’m a small person to begin with. I’m like 4’9 in height and weighed in at 115 pounds. I’m trying to loose the 20 pounds which I gained over the last two years since I stopped smoking and working. My weight may seem really light to you, but the extra weight I’m carrying around is actually giving me bad back and knee pains.

I’m disappointed that I’m not losing the weight as quickly as they say is possible. Then again, two nurses have told me that the last 10 or so pounds is the hardest to get rid of.

I have another 1.5 weeks left for what I paid and then I will likely go on maintenance and then try and continue the program on my own while on maintenace.

My point here … I just wanted to share my frustration in loosing so little weight.

by Disheartened on 2/26/10
Can anyone tell me the last date of the food list I have last july and wonder if there is a new one.
Can you tell me the cost again…thanks

by Angel on 2/28/10
Could someone pls tell what is the dosage for b6 and b12 as well as the injection location . Greatly appreciated everyone

by Angela on 2/28/10
Disheartened – been there, done that! I understand exactly what you are going through as I have been there myself. When I did the diet in 2005, the last 10 lbs were the hardest to get off and took longer to lose than the first 25. My goal was 105 (I am also small in stature) and struggled from 115 down.

However – the diet does work! If you boost your water intake and up your exercise the weight will come off. Motivation becomes very difficult but you just need to keep reminding yourself of the end result. It will be worth it.

Good luck,
Brenda

by Brenda on 2/28/10
Dishearted…. don’t be feeling down about losing 5 lbs in 2 weeks, you are just that much closer to your weight goal. You mentioned you have quit smoking (congrats) so that will slow your metabolim down as well. Do you drink alot of water while doing the diet?? I too am not very tall(5’3″)and have about 30 to lose and have gone to the Dr. B clinic in the past myself and some weeks were really good, and others really sucked or at least I thought it did. My point here is keep going, you will probably do better this week. Drink lots of water and keep your diet stict and things will change. Maybe a little cardio this week will help start things get going. You can do this. Let me know how you do this week.

by phatchic on 2/28/10
hey guys…..this is my last attempt at this diet….i have done this diet from the clinic and then at home and was successful at both times….however because its not a realistic diet, even when eating healthier but in more quantity has made me gain a few pounds…. so iam going at it once and for all with absolute no cheats! wish me luck guys! i need to lose about 15 pounds

by nadia on 2/28/10
Hi I am just starting the diet at home but by reading everything on here if seems my food list might be a little out dated! Would love a current list if someone wouldn’t mind emailing it!
Greatly appreciate it!’

by Chey on 2/28/10
Chey, if you look through some of the past comments a person posted links to where you can get the food lists.

by ted on 3/1/10
Hi every one!! well I am down 4.6 lbs this week. How is everyone else out there doing?? Would anyone care to share how they are doing? I would love to hear from people who are doing this, I think it would encourage myself and others who are just starting out. Thanks and good luck !!

by phatchic on 3/3/10
Hi, I just wanted to say I am really happy that there is a forum for Dr. Bernstein. I did this diet in 2002 and lost over 50lbs. However, I gained a LOT of weight during my second pregnancy and now have to lose the weight again. My biggest weight was 222 lbs, I am currently 206 lbs and have to get to 130 lbs. I cannot afford to go back to Dr. Bernstein but I am sooo happy that you can find the injections over the counter. I am having a hard time finding Cal-K. Does anyone know where I can buy it? The shoppers near me (in Ottawa) does not carry it and they have never heard of it. They even checked thier books and could not find it. I’ve tried other pharmacies around and I am having no luck. I am starting this diet on my own from tomorrow and will keep posting once a month on my progress. Wish me luck! P.S. I can still log in on the Dr.B website and access the food list and menus!

by Sara on 3/3/10

Bernstein Diet

What is the Bernstein Diet?

Foods on the Bernstein Diet

See Also

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Bernstein Diet

What is the Bernstein Diet?

Foods on the Bernstein Diet

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