PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: Elizabeth Seibert, a model has become the center of heated online discussions after sharing her unique dietary routine on YouTube. Seibert's diet consists of consuming 3,000 calories within a strict three-hour window as part of what she refers to as a "medical diet." Despite insisting that the way of eating has helped clear her acne, cure her depression, and aid in overcoming an eating disorder, she has faced fierce criticism from the Internet and experts alike.
In the controversial video, Seibert details her daily meals, which primarily consist of very high-fat foods. The model apparently consumes a series of meals that include a burger cooked in butter with a mound of cheese, coffee with heavy cream, and a cup of broth filled with beef fat between 9.30 am to 1 pm, and refrains from eating anything else for the rest of the day.
Who is Elizabeth Seibert?
The model and Youtuber from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania claims that the unusual diet was recommended to her by "numerous professionals" and has led to her feeling "better than ever" after years of "struggling" with eating. Seibert emphasizes that she is under the supervision of said professionals and advises viewers not to take her diet as medical advice. Moreover, Seibert claims to have been advised to take 32 different vitamins along with her breakfast since she has "a lot of nutrient deficiencies."
Many viewers expressed concern and disapproval in the comments section, labeling the diet as "concerning" and "restrictive," as per Daily Mail. However, in response to the backlash, Seibert addressed her viewers, defending her choices and claiming that the diet had been beneficial for her. She mentioned that she had previously "struggled with food" and weight, undergoing phases of restricting and over-exercising. After seeking help from doctors and therapists, she initially followed a diet that allowed her to eat everything, even indulging in sweets and processed foods. However, she noticed adverse effects on her mental health, skin, and overall well-being.
Subsequently, Seibert embarked on her current "medical diet," which she researched extensively. While she acknowledges that her approach may not be suitable for everyone, she wanted to share her journey and how it positively impacted her life. "I just want to share my journey and how much it's helped me because I have a feeling that someone out there can relate to something that I've gone through," said the model in one of her videos.
Criticism faced by Elizabeth Seibert for her 'medical diet'
A Toronto-based registered dietitian, Abbey Sharp, reacted to Seibert's daily food intake, calling her diet a "really, really bad idea" and a "recipe for disaster." "A modest fast is totally fine, but an aggressive fast like this, especially for women, it makes it nearly impossible to meet your nutrient needs and it puts you at risk for severe hormonal irregularities and muscle loss," she stated to her followers.
Sharp explained that Seibert's meals do not meet the "minimum recommended intake of fiber for good health," which is 25 grams, and could lead to IBS or other "gut disorders," apart from having a negative impact on a woman's "reproductive function." "This is very little point in taking a s**t ton of probiotics if you're not consuming fiber AKA prebiotics, which helps to feed them and helps them thrive. I am all for a carefully planned supplement regiment to help relieve the burden of trying to eat 'perfectly' every day. But if you're deficient in a bunch of nutrients, it's a pretty good sign that your diet needs a good overhaul. Taking 32 vitamins a day shouldn't be a flex, just saying." "It is a recipe for disaster. Yes, I would say there may be some benefits to modest fasts but in extreme cases like this, the risks far outweigh any potential perks. It's a hard pass for me. I'm not sure what kind of legitimate healthcare provider would ever recommend a low-calorie diet like this, where you are strictly surviving off of pills and fat," added Sharp.
While Seibert appreciated Sharp's perspective, she criticized the excessive negativity displayed in the reaction video and urged for a more positive and uplifting approach to discussions about her food choices. "I used to be a fan of yours, I used to watch all of your videos on YouTube," she said. "I find your negativity to be a little bit excessive. In the video you posted about me, you made a lot of rude facial expressions and gestures. That was a video that I was really proud of. It's something that works for me. You can gracefully disagree with somebody without putting extra negativity out there. You and I both know how sensitive the topic of food can be, therefore, I think it's so important to keep this conversation positive and uplifting."
