Patent Publication Number: US-2005118233-A1

Title: Dieting system and method based on controlled carbohydrate intake

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to dieting systems and methods, and, more specifically, to systems and methods that restrict daily carbohydrate intake by providing food kits with defined carbohydrate content.  
      The widespread problems of obesity and overweight in humans have attracted the attention of the medical and nutrition communities through the past few decades. The answers to these problems lie both in the realm of medical treatments, through drugs and medical operations, and in that of nutrition, through various diet programs and methods. While drastic medical measures may indeed lead to permanent weight loss, most diet programs and methods fail to produce long lasting results. In particular, programs based on the restriction of the diet to certain foods while eliminating other diet ingredients, or on restricting calories, fail to yield permanent beneficial weight loss. This is particularly true for obese or grossly overweight persons.  
      Low carbohydrate diets are known. Particularly prominent is the Adkins diet, which is based on the theory that overweight people eat too many carbohydrates. The human body burns both fat and carbohydrates for energy, but carbohydrates are used first. By drastically reducing the carbohydrate intake, and by eating more protein and fat, the human body loses weight naturally because it burns stored body fat more efficiently.  
      The Adkins diet sets few limits on the amount of food one can eat but instead severely restricts the kinds of food allowed to foods traditionally regarded as “rich”, e.g. meat, eggs, cheese, etc., while forbidding refined sugar, milk, white rice, or white flour. The diet has a mandatory two-week induction period of extreme restriction on the carbohydrate intake to less than 20 grams per day. This induces a state of ketosis, which means the body burns its own fat for fuel. The ketosis state is one major disadvantage of the Adkins diet, having by itself, or in combination with other aspects of this diet, significant neoative health-impacting side effects.  
      There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highlly advantageous to have, an efficient diet system and method, which does not restrict the type of food ingredients a person can eat, leaving a well-balanced diet, while providing significant permanent weight loss. There is also a need for a low-carbohydrate diet that will not induce ketosis, thus avoiding the kinds of negative side effects present in existing low carbohydrate diets.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      According to the present invention there is provided a system for reducing human body weight to a permanent optimal weight level, comprising a portable kit that includes a plurality of foods with a known total carbohydrate content, and spoiling prevention means for keeping the foods from spoiling.  
      According to the present invention there is provided a method for permanently reducing body weight in humans, comprising the steps of determining an optimal daily carbohydrate intake, organizing foods in a portable device according to the optimal carbohydrate intake, and freely consuming the foods from the kit throughout the day.  
      According to the present invention there is provided a portable dieting apparatus comprising an asymmetrically shaped kit that includes a plurality of food storage units, and a plurality of foods having a known total carbohydrate content and stored in the storage units according to a carbohydrate content order.  
      According to one feature in the portable dieting apparatus of the present invention, the kit further comprises spoiling prevention means to keep said foods from spoiling.  
      According to yet another feature in the portable dieting apparatus of the present invention, the kit further comprises color-coding means for marking the carbohydrate content order.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a photograph of a preferred embodiment of a diet kit according to the present invention: a) internal view; b) external view.  
       FIG. 2  shows in (a) an embodiment of a kit comprising an asymmetrical one-piece enclosure having a plurality of compartments, and in (b) a one-piece enclosure kit with cooling packs inserted in spaces between the compartments. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The present invention is of a new type of diet system and method, based on controlled carbohydrate daily intake, which provides a dieting person a full range of foods, yet leads to significant permanent weight loss. In other words, the controlled carbohydrate intake system and method disclosed herein allow to bring a human body weight to a permanent optimal weight level. The invention is based on the premise that most existing diet systems and methods fail because they entail a dieting regime that is difficult to follow over a long period of time. Even with the best intentions and will power, an obese or overweight person who wants to follow known dieting regimes eventually slacks off and gives up, normally because the regime appears to be ineffective after a while, or has requirements that are too draconian or induce unwanted side effects. In contrast, the present invention allows a person to eat the entire normal range of foods, but ensures that the total daily carbohydrate intake is limited, so that over time there is a gradual loss of weight, eventually stabilizing in a permanent, normal weight. Moreover, the present invention leads to permanent weight loss even in persons that do not engage in physical activity. In contrast with other low-carbohydrate diets, and in particular with the Adkins diet, the method of the present invention does not require a state of ketosis at any time, and therefore removes a major source of negative side-effects.  
      The present invention is based on the concept of a “carbohydrate bank” from which the dieting person may eat any food up to a given total daily carbohydrate content. We will refer to this as the “total daily carbohydrate rule”. The system defines a minimum, optimum and maximum daily carbohydrate content for a person, based on optimum weight vs. height requirements. The disclosure will henceforth refer to “required daily content” as the optimum daily carbohydrate intake needed by a person following the system and method of the present invention. The system provides a special portable dieting apparatus in the form of a food kit that comprises, in separate storage units, an asymmetric arrangement of a plurality of foods of known total carbohydrate content, correlated with the required daily content. The kit includes an entire range of foods, chosen from a large food list, which are preferably protected from spoiling by prevention means such as cooling packs. The only limitation on the type of food included is that the total weight of carbohydrates in the pyramid is less than a given number, preferably of the required daily content. The kit allows the user to have a varied diet, while making sure that the total carbohydrate daily intake is kept under a required limit.  
       FIG. 1  is a photograph of a preferred embodiment of a portable dieting apparatus according to the present invention in the form of a kit  100 : a) internal view; b) external view. Kit  100  has preferably a shape that allows stacking of a plurality of separate food container or bags, arranged in groups or “levels”. As used in this disclosure, a “container” implies any enclosure designed to separate one food from another. In this disclosure, “food” refers to both solid and liquid substances. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the containers may be just compartments in a one-piece enclosure, the enclosure having an asymmetric shape used for identifying the position of foods of a given carbohydrate content. Kit  100  can be made of any suitable material, either soft-sided or hard-sided. The kit preferably has an asymmetrical shape, most preferably resembling a truncated pyramid, with a substantially flat wide bottom side  102  and a substantially narrower top side  104 . In this disclosure, “top” and “bottom” indicate spatial arrangement, and not necessarily a vertical structure. The largest group of containers (in a bottom level near the bottom side) preferably includes foods selected from the group of essentially carbohydrate free foods. The second largest group includes foods selected from the group of somewhat higher, limited carbohydrate content foods, the third largest group includes foods selected from the group of even higher carbohydrate content foods, etc. The top group (in a top level near the top side) typically includes one food selected from the group of highest carbohydrate content foods. In each group, each food is placed in a separate container. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , there are 8 such containers arranged in three groups, forming a pyramid of foods: a bottom group  106  that includes 4 containers of “no carbohydrate” foods that can be eaten freely, in any amount, a middle group  108  that includes 3 containers of “small carbohydrate amount” foods that have to be eaten in controlled, smaller amounts, and a top group  110  that includes one container of “carbohydrate-rich” food that has to be eaten in an extremely careful, controlled way. The number of groups and containers within each group is exemplary. It is understood, and within the scope of the present invention, that the kit may include a different number of stacked groups, and that each group may include a different number of containers than shown in  FIG. 1 . The constant guiding principle in any embodiment of the kit is that the group (level) with the largest number of containers includes foods selected from the group of lowest (or no) carbohydrate content, while the smallest group with the smallest number (preferably one) of containers includes a food selected from the group of highest carbohydrate content foods.  
      Returning to  FIG. 1 , in order to prevent spoilable foods (e.g. meats, milk, etc.) from being spoiled, the kit is preferably cooled by spoiling prevention means. These preferably include known cooling elements such as cooling packs that may be refrigerated, or any other known portable cooling devices. The groups are also preferably color-coded, for example by using different color containers (same color for all containers in a level), containers with different color covers (same cover color for all containers in the same level), or colored cooling packs disposed between or near the containers. In a preferred embodiment using colored cooling packs, bottom group  106  has disposed between its containers green cooling packs  116 ′, middle group  108  has disposed between its containers yellow cooling packs  116 ′″, and top group  110  has disposed around its single container red cooling packs  116 ″″. In this exemplary case, the green-yellow-red colors resemble traffic lights, providing the user with a visual reminder similar in meaning to those lights: thus, “green” means “go”, i.e. “eat freely low carbohydrate type foods”, “yellow” means “be careful” i.e. “eat fewer foods with larger carbohydrate content”, and “red” means “stop” i.e. “eat as little as possible from this type of high carbohydrate content food”.  
       FIG. 2   a  shows in cross section an embodiment of another portable dieting apparatus in the form of a kit  200  comprising an asymmetrical one-piece enclosure  202  having a plurality of compartments  204 . The external shape need not follow the contour as shown, and may be similar to the one in  FIG. 1 . Clearly, the one-piece embodiment fulfills the same function of compartmentalizing foods of different carbohydrate content, carbohydrate-free foods being stored in a bottom level  206 , a carbohydrate rich food being stored in a top level  208 , and foods with increasing carbohydrate content being stored between the bottom level and the top level. Other shapes that provide a clear differentiation between various carbohydrate content foods are also within the scope of the present invention. The asymmetric shape itself may be enough to indicate which foods belong to the carbohydrate free group (i.e. the bottom level compartments), and which belong to the carbohydrate rich group (i.e. the top level compartment). Optionally, color means similar to those in  FIG. 1  can be attached to each of the compartments or levels in  FIG. 2   a  (not shown). Furthermore and preferably, spoiling prevention means, e.g. in the form of cooling packs, may be introduced inside one or more of the compartments of kit  200 , or in specially designed spaces  220  provided between the compartments, as shown in  FIG. 2   b.    
      As mentioned, the kit allows the user to have a varied diet without worrying about calories, by making sure that the total carbohydrate daily intake is kept under a required limit. The content of foods in each container is chosen such that the total amount of food in the kit sums up to a required daily carbohydrate content. For simplicity and ease of use, this daily carbohydrate content is measured in “units” of 5 crams. The maximum daily carbohydrate content allowed for an obese or overweight person is preferably 16 units, i.e. a total of 80 grains of carbohydrates. The optimum carbohydrate allowed for the same person content is 12 units, i.e. 60 grams carbohydrates. The maximum and optimum number of units depends of course on the person&#39;s weight and height. Thus, obese or overweight children will obviously have smaller maximum and optimum allowed daily carbohydrate contents.  
      The amount of carbohydrates in each food is well known. In particular, various lists and other data sources that provide carbohydrate weight per total weight information are well known and readily accessible. Tables 1-3 below provide exemplary lists of no carbohydrate content foods (Table 1), moderate carbohydrate content foods (Table 2) and high carbohydrate content foods (Table 3). It is therefore quite simple to calculate the carbohydrate (and therefore the food) amount allowed at each level or group in the kit, so that the total carbohydrate content of the kit does not exceed 80 grams. Moreover, the kit would typically include less than the total carbohydrate amount allowed per diem, with the rest being for example allocated to home meals. Thus the kit may for example include foods stacked in groups as shown in  FIG. 1 , with a total carbohydrate content of 60 grams, while 20 grams of carbohydrates are allowed for home consumption that day.  
               TABLE 1                       CARBOHYDRATE-FREE OR NEGLIGIBLE       CARBOHYDRATE CONTENT                                        MEAT:   beef, lamb, turkey, veal, fowl, lamb, etc.       INTERNAL PARTS:   liver, kidneys, heart, tongue, brain, sausage           meat, etc.       FISH:   tuna, salmon, sardines, cooked fish, salted fish,           smoked fish, etc.       DAIRY AND FOWL   cheeses of all types, butter, eggs, salad oil,       PRODUCTS:   yoghurt, margarine, etc.                  
 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 MEDIUM CARBOHYDRATE CONTENT FOODS 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 ITEM 
                 QTY 
                 UNITS 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 AVOCADO 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 WATERMELON 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 NUTS 
                 10 
                 GR 
                 0.5 
               
               
                   
                 COCONUTS 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 PEARS 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 2.5 
               
               
                   
                 PINEAPPLES 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 GREENPEAS - COOKED 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 PERSIMON 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 PEACHES 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 ARTICHOKES 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 GRAPEFRUIT 
                 HALF 
                 2 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 PEANUTS - ROASTED 
                 30 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 BAMIA - COOKED 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 GUAVAS 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 CARROTS 
                 80 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 SUNFLOWER SEEDS 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 CHERRIES 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 MILK 
                 FULL CREAM 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                   
                 SKIM 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 PEANUT BUTTER 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 EGGPLANT 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 TEHINA 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 0.5 
               
               
                   
                 LEMONS 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 1.5 
               
               
                   
                 BREAD - LOW CALORIE 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 1.5 
               
               
                   
                 PINEAPPLE JUICE 
                 100 
                   
                 2.5 
               
               
                   
                 TOMATO JUICE 
                 100 
                   
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 ORANGE JUICE 
                 100 
                   
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 MELON 
                 170 
                   
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 MANGOES 
                 100 
                   
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 MANDARINES 
                 100 
                   
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 SOUPS 
                 200 
                 GR 
                 2-0 
               
               
                   
                 APRICOTS 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 BEETROOTS 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 LENTILS 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 CHESTNUTS 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 RASPBERRIES 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 FALAFEL 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 CACTUS FRUIT 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 RAISINS 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 CLEMENTINES 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 SOYA FLOUR 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 POMEGRANATES 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 PLUMS 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 ALMONDS 
                 30 
                 GR 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 FIGS 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 ORANGES 
                 200 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 STRAWBERRIES 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 2.5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 HIGH CARBOHYDRATE CONTENT FOODS 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 ITEM 
                 QTY 
                 UNITS 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 PEARS IN SYRUP 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
               
                 RICE - COOKED 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
               
                 PINEAPPLE IN SYRUP 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
               
                 PEACHES IN SYRUP 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
               
                 PEACHES DRIED 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 7 
               
               
                 NOODLES - COOKED 
                 175 
                 GR 
                 9 
               
               
                 BITTER LEMON 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 6 
               
               
                 BISCUITS 
                 2 
                   
                 3 
               
               
                 BEER 
                 1 
                 PINT GLASS 
                 2 
               
               
                 BANANAS 
                 1 
                   
                 5 
               
               
                 BRANDY 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                 GIN 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                 GINGER ALE 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 6 
               
               
                 JELLY 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                 ICECREAM 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 2 
               
               
                 HONEY 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
               
                 WHISKEY 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                 VERMOUTH - SWEET 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
               
                 VERMOUTH - DRY 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                 SEMOLINA POWDER 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                 SEMOLINA PUDDING 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                 DOUGHNUTS 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 6 
               
               
                 CYDER 
                 1 
                 GLASS 
                 3.5 
               
               
                 SYRUP 
                 15 
                 GR 
                 2.5 
               
               
                 SPAGETTI - COOKED 
                 170 
                 GR 
                 10 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 CAKES 
                 DRY 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 7 
               
               
                   
                 WITH CREAM 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 7 
               
               
                   
                 WITH ICING 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 8 
               
               
                   
                 WITH FRUIT 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 7 
               
               
                   
                 APPLE PIE 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 3.5 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 GRAPES 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 PUDDING 
                 POWDER 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 WITH EGG 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 WITH MILK 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 BEANS - DRIED 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
               
                 RASPBERRY SYRUP 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
               
                 PITA BREAD 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                 PANCAKES 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                 FRUIT IN SYRUP 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
               
                 HUMUS - CHICKPEAS 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 6 
               
               
                 MILK - CONCENTRATED 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 2 
               
               
                 HALVAH 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
               
                 CHALLAH 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 TAPIOCA 
                 UNCOOKED 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 PUDDING 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 YOGURT - FRUIT-CHOCOLATE 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 WINE 
                 DRY 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 SWEET 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                 BREAD 
                 MEDIUM SLICED 
               
               
                   
                 DARK 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 WHITE 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 BUNS 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 6 
               
               
                 LEMONADE 
                 225 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
               
                 LIQUER 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
               
                 TONIC WATER 
                 170 
                 GR 
                 2.5 
               
               
                 GRAPEFRUIT JUICE - SWEET 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                 ORANGE JUICE - SWEET 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                 MANDARINES IN SYRUP 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                 MATZOS 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 3.5 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 MACARONI 
                 COOKED 
                 170 
                 GR 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 WITH CHEESE 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 MARMALADE 
                 15 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 APRICOTS 
                 IN SYRUP 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 DRIED 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 6 
               
               
                 SUGAR 
                 BROWN 
                 15 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 WHITE 
                 15 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 TOFFEE SWEETS 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                 CORNFLAKES 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                 BREAD TOASTS 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 QUAKER OATS 
                 UNCOOKED 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 COOKED 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 COCA COLA 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                 CORNFLOUR 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 FLOUR 
                 BARLEY 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 OATS 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 CORN 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 POTATO 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 RICE 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 WHEAT 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 COCOA 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 2.5 
               
               
                 JAMS 
                 15 
                 GR 
                 2 
               
               
                 MILK CHOCOLATE 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
               
                 BITTER CHOCOLATE 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 PLUMS 
                 DRIED 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 7 
               
               
                   
                 IN SYRUP 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 YEAST 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 7.5 
               
               
                 CHERRIES 
                 50 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                 FIGS IN SYRUP 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 8 
               
               
                 FIGS DRIED 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                 STRAWBERRIES IN SYRUP 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 5 
               
               
                 CORN ON COB - COOKED 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                 DATES - DRIED 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 POTATOES 
                 COOKED 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 CHIPS 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 SWEET POTATOES - BAKED 
                 100 
                 GR 
                 7 
               
               
                 APPLES - DRIED 
                 25 
                 GR 
                 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   Note:    
               
               
                   carbohydrate value marked in units    
               
               
                   * 1 unit = 5 grams carbohydrate    
               
               
                   ** alcoholic drinks are carbohydrate free but high-caloried, which raises the number of units.    
               
            
           
         
       
     
      In use, a user would typically prepare a kit each day by choosing foods to be stored in each container of each level, from a list of items with known carbohydrate content. For this purpose, one may use any list of foods that provides the carbohydrate content, for example Tables 1-3 herein. One may form example choose to fill the four containers of the “no carbohydrate” bottom group  106  in  FIG. 1  with items from Table 1 above such as beef, chicken, veal, lamb, turkey, etc., each of which has little or no carbohydrates, fish, cheeses, vegetables, and other known “no carbohydrate” foods. Since these foods do not have any (or very little) carbohydrate content, they may be eaten in basically unlimited amounts. Practically, the amounts will be limited by the volume of the bottom group containers, but the user may eat more of these foods at home or in a restaurant, without affecting the diet regimen. Similarly, the 3 middle group  108  containers in  FIG. 1  may be filled with 100 grams of avocado (equivalent to one carbohydrate unit or simply “one unit”—see Table 2), 30 grams of roasted peanuts (one unit), and 200 grams of oranges (4 units), for a total of 6 carbohydrate units. According to the “total daily carbohydrate rule”, there are 6 more units allowed to reach the optimum daily carbohydrate intake, and 10 more units to reach the maximum allowed daily intake. The top group ( 110 ) container may thus include foods from Table 3 such as a bun (50 grams weight, 5 carbohydrate units) plus 15 grams of jam (2 units), 100 grams of fruit in syrup (e.g. peaches)=5 units, etc. As mentioned, the kit may contain less than the optimum daily intake, with the rest eaten at home or in a restaurant. However, by stacking the kit each day with foods arranged in a pyramid according to their carbohydrate (per unit weight) content, one makes sure that the diet regimen is followed optimally.  
      In summary, in contrast with existing and known diet system and methods, the present invention provides a diet regimen based on a defined, -limited carbohydrate daily intake. The system organizes foods according to carbohydrate content in a kit. The carbohydrate content is preferably defined by units, each food having a known number of carbohydrate units per food weight unit. The user can then freely eat the foods in the kit throughout the day. This diet does not count calories - in fact, the number of calories in the foods eaten is not important. The principle behind the system and method disclosed herein is the controlled daily intake of carbohydrates spread among a wide variety of foods, the organizing of these foods in a portable kit that has means to distinguish between the various carbohydrate content groups, and means to prevent the spoiling of these foods.  
      While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.