The Hellers believe carbohydrate cravings are physiological. Carbohydrate cravings are an important component of the Hellers' plan. Nutritionist Jennifer Hooper believes quizzes such as the Hellers asks leading questions. A person takes the quiz and comes away believing she is a carbohydrate addict. When in reality, the quiz only indicates whether or not a person has food issues, many of which are not linked directly to carbohydrates.
People feel very strongly about their food.
A lot of us lug our food feelings with us from childhood. And that for optimum nutritional health, all food groups should be evenly distributed throughout the day. Cox and Hooper agree that if limiting carbohydrates to just one meal a day makes it possible for some people to lose weight, then the Heller diet is acceptable. But both are skeptical that the diet really works. Hooper knows people who have tried the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet and none of them has been able to stick with it for longer than two weeks.