What Is the '131 Method' Diet (and Is It Worth Trying)?

We’re all about healthy eating, treating ourself occasionally and knowing that there’s no such thing as a one-diet-fits-all formula. So when we heard that there was a new diet that seems to combine all of the above, we were intrigued. Here’s the skinny on the 131 Diet.

The 131 method is a 12-week virtual coaching program created by fitness entrepreneur Chalene Johnson that combines counting macros, the ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting and the elimination diet in different phases.

While there’s no set meal plan, the 131 Diet encourages you to eat organic and grass-fed meat, healthy fats (think: avocado, nuts and seeds) and vegetables within a set window of time. You’re advised to avoid foods that can cause inflammation like sugar, processed foods and alcohol (sorry). But the diet is meant to be customizable, meaning that exactly what’s on your plate will depend on you and your goals.

Well, it’s not free. In order to get all the details on the diet and access to the program’s dietitians, recipes and support groups, you need to pay $149. Womp-womp. 

We tapped Kristin Kirkpatrick, lead dietician at the Cleveland Clinic and Lose It! advisor, for her take. “While I personally haven't tried the 131 Diet, the individual components of it seem like they could be beneficial,” she told us. “The ketogenic diet has been shown to be helpful and intermittent fasting can help people become satisfied with smaller portions.” (But know that not all nutritionists are fans of intermittent fasting, and it should only be attempted under the direct supervision of a doctor.) And reducing foods that cause inflammation (like sugar, refined grains and excess amounts of alcohol) is definitely not a bad idea, she adds.

Full disclosure: We haven’t forked over the money to give this diet a try—but from what we can tell, it doesn’t sound too crazy (looking at you, vertical diet). Talk to your doctor before trying any diet, especially one that restricts calories and involves any type of fasting. And we can’t help but wonder if you couldn’t just embrace the diet’s ideas on your own and, um, for free? Because we can definitely think of better ways to drop that money (you know, like these earrings, this highlighter palette and these sunglasses).