5 Bite Diet by Dr. Alwin Lewis: How It Works and Its Risks
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 28 Dec 2014 - Updated: 25 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Informative
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This information covers the 5 Bite Diet Plan, created by Dr. Alwin Lewis, MD, a physician who promoted the plan on the nationally televised Dr. Oz Show. The diet restricts daily food intake to just five bites at lunch and five at dinner - roughly 800 calories per day - with claims of losing 15 pounds in a single week. The article is useful to anyone researching extreme calorie-restricted diets, including people with obesity-related disabilities or those considering drastic weight-loss methods, as it presents both the diet's premise and the serious nutritional concerns raised by Dr. Oz, who cautions that such severe restriction fails to provide the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients the body requires for daily function.
At a Glance
- 1 - Calorie-free beverages are allowed in unlimited amounts throughout the day.
- 2 - Dr. Lewis promotes the plan as working like gastric bypass surgery, only without the operation.
- 3 - A sample dinner on the plan could be three bites of macaroni and cheese followed by two bites of apple pie.
- 4 - The USDA MyPlate program is offered as a healthier option, filling half the plate with non-starchy vegetables and fruits. The other half is split between whole grains and lean protein, with a glass of non-fat milk.
Topic Definition
- 5 Bite Diet
The 5 Bite Diet is an extreme calorie-restricted eating plan developed by Dr. Alwin Lewis, MD, that eliminates breakfast entirely and limits both lunch and dinner to just five bites of any food the dieter chooses, equating to approximately 800 calories per day. Promoted as a non-surgical alternative to gastric bypass surgery, the plan requires a daily multivitamin and at least some protein intake, and claims to produce a weight loss of up to 15 pounds in the first week. Despite its permissive food choices, mainstream medical opinion - including that of Dr. Oz - holds that the diet is nutritionally inadequate for sustaining healthy bodily function and does not align with evidence-based dietary guidelines such as the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, or the USDA MyPlate program.
Overview
5 Bite Diet Plan by Dr. Alwin Lewis - Does It Work?
Lose 15 pounds in just one week and then continue to lose even more weight over the long term. That's what one doctor promises on The Dr. Oz Show. Dr. Lewis suggests the 5-bite diet plan adds up to about 800 calories a day, which is less than half of generally recommended amounts, even for people trying to lose weight.
The 5-bite diet has recently been sweeping the world, thanks to its creator, Dr. Alwin Lewis, MD, and Television show Dr. Oz. The 5 Bite Diet is supposed to work like a gastric bypass without the surgery. Dr. Alwin Lewis says the thinner you are, the healthier you are and the longer you will live, which is why he came up with an extreme way to lose 15 pounds in one week as part of a plan to reach your ideal body weight.
The secret to losing 15 pounds in one week is eating any type of food that you want, but only consuming 5 bites a meal, as long as you get at least some protein each day and take a multivitamin capsule.
The 5 Bite Diet
On this diet, you skip breakfast and are allowed only five bites of food at lunch and five bites of food at dinner. You can also drink as much as you want as long as you stick to beverages without calories.
- Breakfast: A cup of black coffee with no sugar, and a multivitamin pill.
- Lunch: 5 bites of any kind of food. (Hamburgers are ideal, as they have the right amount of nutritional value and are also tasty.)
- Dinner: 5 bites of any type of food. (You could try 3 bites of macaroni and cheese and 2 bites of an apple pie.)
This is not a good way to manage weight and get healthy.
Dr. Oz believes the 5 Bite Diet makes you conscious about what you are eating, but his concern is that it can throw the body out of balance.
"Though Dr. Lewis suggests people take a multivitamin and make sure their 10 daily bites includes at least some protein, this is simply not enough to get people all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients they need to support all the functions that the body needs to perform on a daily basis", say's Dr Oz on his blog.
"Study after study has shown that well-balanced diets like the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet not only help people with safe weight loss, but also dramatically decrease the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and dementia, among other diseases."
One of Dr. Lewis' goals for his patients is to obtain a BMI of 18.5. This is not healthy for most people. Dr. Oz himself said that this puts him at a staggering 140 pounds.
Another healthier alternative to the 5-bite diet would be to follow the USDA's MyPlate program, simply fill half of your plate with non-starchy vegetables and fruits and divide the other half between whole grains and a lean protein source. Top off your meal with a glass of non-fat milk or another source of calcium.
In other words, don't get on the 5 Bite Diet no matter how desperate or eager you are to lose weight. The promise that you'll be allowed to eat whatever you want (albeit in such small quantities) should not make you forget that nutrition is also important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 5 Bite Diet safe for people with diabetes?
Severe calorie restriction can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, especially for people taking insulin or other glucose-lowering medication. Anyone with diabetes should speak with their doctor before making major changes to how much or how often they eat.
Can the 5 Bite Diet cause muscle loss?
Yes. When calorie and protein intake are very low, the body often breaks down muscle tissue for energy along with fat. This can reduce strength and slow metabolism, which is a particular concern for people with mobility limitations.
Will the weight come back after stopping the 5 Bite Diet?
Weight regain is common after very low-calorie diets because much of the early loss is water and muscle, and old eating habits often return. Lasting results usually depend on gradual changes that can be kept up over time.
What are common side effects of eating around 800 calories a day?
People may experience fatigue, dizziness, headaches, constipation, irritability, hair thinning, and trouble concentrating. Rapid weight loss can also raise the risk of gallstones.
Is a multivitamin enough to replace nutrients from food?
No. A multivitamin cannot supply adequate protein, fiber, healthy fats, or the full range of plant compounds found in whole foods. It is meant to fill small gaps, not replace a balanced diet.
Who should avoid extreme calorie-restricted diets?
Pregnant or breastfeeding women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, and anyone taking medications affected by food intake should avoid them unless a physician is closely supervising the plan.
How much weight loss per week is considered healthy?
Most health authorities recommend losing about 1 to 2 pounds per week. This pace is more likely to preserve muscle, meet nutritional needs, and lead to results that last.
Are there medically supervised alternatives to the 5 Bite Diet?
Yes. Options include programs led by registered dietitians, physician-supervised meal replacement plans, prescription weight-loss medications, and bariatric surgery for people who meet medical criteria.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The 5 Bite Diet is one of a long line of extreme, low-calorie diet plans that prioritize rapid weight loss over long-term health and nutritional balance. While the appeal of losing weight quickly and eating whatever you want - even in tiny amounts - is understandable, the medical consensus is clear: diets this restrictive, without careful clinical supervision, carry real risks. Dr. Oz's own concerns about the plan, particularly its failure to meet basic nutritional needs, serve as a useful reality check for anyone tempted by the headline numbers. People living with chronic illness, mobility limitations, or disability-related weight challenges deserve diet guidance grounded in evidence and balance - not extreme restriction marketed as a shortcut.
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability, a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.