Atkins Diet

[sunnysuzi]

I'm looking for a diet after ingulding a little to much over Xmas. I've read many celebs use the Atkins Diet where they eat little or no carbs or sugars but lots of protein and fats.

Would you recommend this?

sunnysuzi

[phillips-fit]

I wouldn't recommend that diet due to it's extremely restrictive and unsociable nature. Check out http://www.metabolicdiet.com/start_diet.htm you still get to have your carbs! :)

[phillips-fit]

p.s. I came across this news site that I thought might be of interest to you: :) http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=123869

[nigel]

p.s. I came across this news site that I thought might be of interest to you: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=123869

By investigating the genesis of this theory, Taubes found that the government's initial decision 30 years ago to promote low-fat diets was not based on recommendations from doctors or scientists, but rather from lawyers who worked for Sen. George McGovern in the mid-1970s.

hmmm. Looks interesting article...

[Lee]

I was saw a programme based on something similar - it may have even been the same research used.

Regarding a low fat diet ... in theory there are three main reasons to feel like a low fat diet means less body fat.

1. Fat carries 9 calories per gram rather than 4 cals per gram and 3.7 cals per gram for carbohydrates and protein respectively.

2. Too much dietary fat can clog up artieries and increase the onset of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).

3. The name 'fat'. Cut out fat from your diet and lose fat - seems to make sense.

However, as with most things, discussing dietary fat isn't that simple. So here are the counter arguements:

1. True, dietary fats do contain more calories. However, fats within your diet make you feel fuller - meaning your body wants to eat less. For example, need a 11 am snack. TRy to eat a handful of Brazil nuts one day, then a chocolate bar the next. It is likely the nuts will contain less calories but more fat and they are also likely to make you feel less likely to snack later on in the day.

2. Again true - if you eat too much saturated fats (fatty meats etc) or even worse man-made trans fats. These fats are extremely hard for the body to breakdown. Better to go for 'good' fats found in butter, nuts, leaner meats, fish heavy in Omega 3 fats.

3. What if dietary fat was called something else? Say 'heavy protein' or something. My point is people won't get hung up on dietary fats listed on the back of food stuff. Too many people look at fats on packets etc and say "I can't eat that. too much fat", when in actual fact they'd pick up something with the same amount of calories but high in carbs and not thing twice. They think fat in the pack equals fat on them. Not so.

It is calories and spikes in insulin (due to high carb, high GI foods) that increase body fat rather than fats in food (that actually reduce the insulin spike) that hurt people's diet.

[Easy E]

Isn't the Atkins Diet dangerous? I though a few years ago doctors were all over the TV suggesting that the Atkins Diet is far from healthy. But not only that it actually promotes the body to GAIN MORE weight once normal eating resumes after the diet.

[Tom@foresight]

It is defo, not a deit that i would suggest anyone to use.

TOM

[Heart Ace]

the only way success comes first before work is in the dictionary....

tsk tsk.. its either you kill yourself on diet or work your ass off at the gym
to succeed on your fitness goal... sigh.. its so hard...

but then again.. no pain.. no gain.. :)

[tommo]

The concept of a one size diet fits all really doesn't work. literally the way you metabolise food is as individual as your finger print!

We all come from a bit of a genetic melting pot these days and so finding out your true metabolic type takes a bit of time. cutting back on fat is not the answer especially if you burn or metabolise food at a fast rate, you actually may need to consume 70% fat and protein with 30 % remainder from carbs, this can be the exact opposite in a slow oxidiser.

Saturated fats and cholesterol are actually very good for you and the building blocks for most hormones. there are more studies showing that a low cholesterol diet kills more people. You only need to look at eskimo's, the swiss and some african tribes that feed off blood, dairy and meat and who live the longest and with the highest cholesterol levels recorded! Once you get your head around consuming fat your halfway there! Always avoid foods that are low in fat and try to eat as much organic produce as possible. the least load on your liver and your body can actually function to get you to your optimal weight, rather than being stressed out with toxins!

On a basic level your body knows when a food choice is good for you, try eating a meal that is high in carbohydrates or fat and protein and see how you feel. A good food choice for you will uplift you creating good mental clarity and energy levels. play around with your percentages and fine tune.

If you want to know more you can always contact me to find out more about metabolic typing.

Hope that helps

Tommo :D