Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a list of questions that listeners of my radio show have asked me over the last few months:

What is The Tortoise Diet?

Why do tortoises live so much longer than other animals? Why do people in Japan and the Mediterranean have much lower risks of heart disease and cancer? Why are life expectancies of some Pacific islands so much higher than their neighbours? It’s all about their diet. The Tortoise Diet takes the elements of tortoise diets and lifestyles that make them so healthy and long-lived and makes them human-friendly and easy to follow and enjoy!

Is this just another one of those fad diets?

I’ll leave that up to you to decide but I certainly don’t think so. The Tortoise Diet is a set of principles and guidelines for healthy eating and living. It’s not a magic bullet, it’s not a quick fix, it doesn’t promise some kind of miracle with no effort on your part. It involves eating lots of wild leafy vegetables and other foods which are nutrient-rich and generally low in calories. It’s a holistic plan. If you follow it, you will get results.

Is The Tortoise Diet for me?

The Tortoise Diet isn’t for everyone. It’s high in fibrous plants and vegetables and low in meat, sugar and fat. Homer Simpson wouldn’t like it. I think Lisa Simpson would like it just fine.
But The Tortoise Diet is not a hardship diet. It’s fun, it’s fresh and it’s delicious! It will change the way you think about eating – in a good way!

What do I have to give up?

You can’t have a lot of processed sugary, salty and fatty foods (no doughnuts!), but you can have delicious natural foods that are sweet, salty or even high in fat. It’s all about choosing the ‘right’ fats, proteins and acids from natural foods.

Can I drink alcohol?

Do tortoises drink alcohol? Yes, they do! Tortoises eat fermenting fruits and flowers! The right alcoholic drinks have antioxidants that reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. We’ll explore what those 'right' alcohols are.

Are you some kind of quack?

Who are you calling a quack, Fatty? I’m an experienced marine biologist, herpetologist and dietician. I’ve devoted my life to working out why it is that some animal and human populations live so much longer and more healthily than others. What have you done lately?

I’ve heard that you can live longer by limiting your calorie intake. Is this true? Is this how The Tortoise Diet works?

Yes, there is evidence that restricting your caloric intake is associated with a longer life expectancy. You will almost certainly be consuming less calories on The Tortoise Diet. But it’s not just about eating fewer calories: it’s about eating nutrient-dense food, the right proteins, acids and natural preservatives and avoiding harmful chemicals found in a variety of everyday foods.

Where can I get your book?

Now that' s a question I like to hear! ; ) The Tortoise Diet will be available in good bookstores in the USA in October. Stay tuned for overseas distributors!

Does The Tortoise Diet involve eating tortoises?

No! Have you been listening to anything I've been saying?

Is it true that Tom Cruise has a third nipple?

I’ve never met the man.