The NZ Society of Naturopaths agrees with many of the recommendations made by Jane Elmslie and the team of Otago University researchers to avoid a list of forty-nine foods for weight loss. However the NZSN are concerned that the list and the suggested substitutes promote a very low fat diet, and processed foods, which can be detrimental to health.

A spokesperson for the NZSN said "While poor quality fats definitely harm the body and are linked to obesity. High quality fats are essential for health. Recent research has shown high quality fats help in weight loss. They help people to feel full for longer, and help stabilize blood sugar so people are less likely to want to eat. In addition high quality fats are essential for nerve health, mental health, cardiovascular health, bones and joints, healthy skin, immunity and necessary to absorb fat soluble vitamins". The NZ Society of Naturopaths recommend high quality fats such as unheated cold pressed oils, avocados, raw nuts, fish and organic sources of animal fat.

The NZSN believes organic whole milk and other organic dairy food, are beneficial to health, and give more health benefits than low fat milk. In the case of obesity consumption may need to be moderated.

The NZSN say honey also has to be of high quality to have health benefits. Poor quality honey should be avoided.

Processed foods suggested as substitutes to the forty nine foods on the list can be damaging to health. Research has shown diet soft drinks can increase risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.

The addition of artificial sweeteners perpetuates the desire for sweet foods; increasing vulnerability to unwanted weight gain in the future is of little help in a long term solution to obesity. In addition there is some evidence to show some artificial sweeteners may cause health problems.
The list suggests replacing sausages and salami with a low fat version however any kind of highly processed meat of this kind has been linked to a greater risk of cancer.