More than half of America’s adults want to lose weight, but barely a quarter of them actually put any effort into achieving their goals. Could there be an easier way that still helps people lose weight and get healthy? Celebrity nutrition and fitness expert JJ Virgin designed a diet that claims its users will lose weight in a week by simply cutting out seven foods.

After seeing her own patients lose weight by removing specific foods from their diet, JJ Virgin decided to market the elimination diet for those looking for a dramatic jumpstart to weight loss. Let’s look at the efficacy behind Virgin’s seven pounds in seven days weight loss claim. The diet is based on the avoidance of food intolerances that have been known to stress people's bodies. The diet system requires that you remove a new food each day until you reach the seventh day through three cycles: elimination, reintroduction, and sustaining.

So, how does it work? Start off by cutting out gluten, followed by soy, dairy, eggs, corn, peanuts, and sugar and artificial sweeteners. Afterwards, dieters are instructed to gradually add them back into their everyday meals and snacks. The end goal is to find a long-term balance to keep the body healthy and energized. Because each food group has been known to cause the body stress, by removing them one-by-one, the diet reduces inflammation and allergic reactions in addition to helping people lose weight. While the Virgin Diet is systematic in its step-by-step guide to improving health, there are a few things to keep in mind before trying a new weight loss program.

Gluten - protein found in wheat - doesn’t affect everyone the same, which is why avoiding certain breads, pastas, and crackers that include gluten may not be ideal. Often, gluten-free products contain more sugar, salt, and preservatives and less fiber and nutrients compared to their gluten-filled counterparts. When it comes to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, soy is another food you may not want to skip out on because of its cancer-fighting benefits. Dairy and eggs are also packed with vitamins and nutrients many people, women and growing children especially, need to include in their diets in order to reap bone-strengthening benefits.

Corn, peanuts, sugar, and artificial sweeteners may contain fewer essential nutrients (or none at all in sugar’s case), but can be consumed in moderate amounts. Fortunately, the Virgin Diet emphasizes balance for its users in hopes that when they reintroduce the foods back into their everyday routine, they’re more aware of how their body reacts to certain foods. Eventually, dieters will be able to narrow down their problem foods and reduce intake in order to make room for healthier, nutrient-dense alternatives.