Low Carb-Hi Protein Diets
Weight loss plans like the Atkins, the South Beach and the Zone Diet all recommend restricted carbohydrates
and allow generous amounts of protein. Protein includes that derived from animal sources. In general, they limit the overall
amount of carbohydrates, or teach you to differentiate between "good" and "bad" carbohydrates. Bad carbohydrates, including
white flour, white bread, and white sugar are strictly forbidden.
Pros: These diets all encourage learning healthy eating as part of losing weight. Deriving most of
your daily calories from high fiber sources of carbs like leafy green vegetables and grains is generally considered the best
diet for nutrition by the established medical community. It is fairly easy to find low-carb foods, with the popularity these
plans bring.
Cons: The allowance of eating all the protein and fats you like contradicts conventional medical
wisdom. A diet high in saturated fats could lead to problems like heart disease, diabetes, gout and other chronic health
conditions. Following these diets' cautions and advice to keep portions reasonable should mitigate that concern, though.
Weight Loss Programs
Jenny Craig, NutriSystem, Weight Watchers, SlimFast and a number of other weight loss programs rely heavily
on pre-packaged diet foods. They also incorporate in their teaching professional coaching, social structure and
reinforcement.
Pros: The professional coaching and nutritional benefits are a huge advantage, as are the
reinforcement and support aspect of the diets. Some people simply do much better with this support. Meals and supplements
are prepackaged in the right proportions, and if you stick to the diets and exercise as directed you will lose weight.
Cons: The weekly fees and cost of meals can be rather expensive. Also, if you rely completely on the
packaged foods, you miss out on the re-education of your eating habits, which is important to maintaining any weight lost.
It's better to condition both your mind and body with this new education.
The Real Mayo Clinic Diet
This is not the diet that has circulated for the past thirty plus years and supposedly to have originated at
the Mayo Clinic. The true Mayo Clinic's nutrition and diet center recommends a healthy eating weight loss diet plan based on
limiting fats, proteins and carbohydrates, counting calories and receiving most of the daily nutrition from vegetables,
grains and fruit.
Pros: There's no diet, so to speak. Instead, you're encouraged to take control of your eating habits.
Portion control and sensible balance of nutrients are the cornerstones of a weight loss plan that takes weight off gradually,
and helps you keep it off permanently, which is the way a healthy wieght loss diet plan should work.
Cons: It may be difficult to stay on the diet. Counting calories and portions can be difficult if
you're eating out or on the run. Fortunately many, many restaurants now offer more nutritious choices for those who are
watching what they eat.
There are many diets that promise to take weight off quickly and painlessly, without exercise or changing
your eating habits. Be very, very leary of such alternatives.
The three major variations of diets above all
will result in 1-2 pounds of fat loss per week, which most doctors believe is the optimum way to lose weight for long lasting
results. Otherwise, the faster you loose, the more apt you are to gain back the weight over time.
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