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Diet pills might work for some people but the majority of people who pop the pills end up being hungry all day long, don’t lose weight and gradually begin to realize they’ve been taken.

If you’ve wasted $70 or more buying Hoodia diet supplements online and ended up tossing them out after a few days – you are not alone. Thousands of people have fallen for the scam.
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author: Ann Collins

The high-protein low-carb diet was popular in the 1970′s, before saturated fat and heart disease became closely associated. Now, high-protein low-carb diets are once again popular due to the faster initial weight loss they can achieve. However, many dietitians retain doubts about the long term health effects of these carb-restricted weight loss plans.

That said, recent (albeit small-scale) studies suggest that high-protein low-carb diets may be less harmful and more beneficial than supposed. A futher long-term study is underway. This should help to clarify the health and safety issues of high protein diets.

Some low-carb plans provide insufficient carbohydrates and permit excessive fat-intake, including saturated fat. The best type of low-carb diet provides a reasonable amount of ‘healthy’ carbohydrate and a moderate amount of healthy (ie. unsaturated) fat.

Weight Loss or Water Loss?

* Although high-protein low-carb diets may lead to fast weight loss in the short term, much of this may be water loss. This is because when the body is starved of carbs it takes energy from it’s glycogen stores. And each gram of glycogen has 4 grams of water attached. So although weight loss looks good, much of it is water. As soon as carb intake returns to normal, much of this ‘water-weight’ is regained.

* High-protein low-carb diets tend to encourage over-consumption of saturated fat and cholesterol, which in turn leads to increased risk of heart disease and some cancers.

Weight Gain When Diet Stops

According to sceptics, high-protein low-carb ketogenic diets can bring about changes in a dieter’s fat cells causing these fat cells to accumulate even more fat when the person comes off the diet. They can also cause mood changes like tension and irritability, which may result in cravings for high carb foods and fatty snacks.

High-protein low-carb diet plan

* The diet is based on eating lots of protein like meat and eggs but almost no carbohydrates like bread, potatoes, pasta, or rice, at least for a period of time.

* Most versions recommend large quantities of protein in unrestricted amounts, including red meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, eggs, and cheese. They forbid (or limit) pasta, bread, potatoes, fruit, many vegetables, plus any foods with large amounts of refined sugar.

What Sceptics Say About High-Protein Low-Carb Diets

* High protein diets tend to cause problems with mood changes, resulting in cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods and snacks.

* By contrast, higher carb diets tend to raise the level of serotonin (the feel good brain hormone) thus improving mood and appetite. A recent study, reported in Obesity journal, followed a number of obese women with a long history of yo-yo dieting who followed either a higher carb diet, or a high protein diet of 1400 calories. The higher carb dieters had fewer cravings and better overall moods than those on the high protein diet. These also lost significantly more weight than those on the high protein diet plan.

* High protein diets violate several dietary and nutritional guidelines of the US Government and the American Heart Association. In addition, the dietary guidelines laid down by the World Cancer Research Fund contradict many of the recommendations in many high protein diets, with the exception of those concerning refined sugar.

* By overloading dieters with protein, high protein diets can lead to loss of calcium from bones, which may lead to osteoporosis. They also pressurize the kidneys as they try to eliminate large amounts of urea, a by-product of protein metabolism.

* Carbohydrate is a nutrient group which is readily converted to energy. By minimizing carbohydrate consumption, high protein diets can quickly lead to tiredness and fatigue.

* Carbohydrates are also good for your brain. A shortage of carbohydrate can cause loss of concentration and a slow down in reactions.

Although some recent studies suggest that high protein diets may be less harmful and more beneficial that some of the sceptics experts suggest, it is not yet possible to form a clear opinion on the long-term health benefits of high-protein low-carb diets. So if you want to follow a high protein diet, choose a healthy one.

AnnCollins.com

author: Tracie Johanson

Considering that about 65% of our population is either overweight or obese, it should come as no surprise that most Americans are actively seeking sound advice on how to choose a diet plan that’s right for them. Unfortunately, the sheer number of weight loss tips and diet tips available have made finding the right weight loss program confusing at best.

The Problem Is Too Many Choices

There is a staggering number of diet products on the market today, from the Atkins Diet to the Zone Diet. Compounding the confusion is the vast array of weight loss pills, patches and creams available.

With so many diet and nutrition weight loss products on the market, consumers looking for health advice find themselves overwhelmed by too much information.

Sometimes, Expert Advice Poses An Even Bigger Problem

In February 2006 a news story muddied the waters even more. The Women’s Health Initiative reported that low fat diets may not offer the health benefits we had previously thought. They researched the connection between a low-fat diet and a woman’s risk of heart disease and cancer.

Limited in the space and time they have to report on health tips and news, the media failed to report the full story. Unfortunately, the result was that most major media outlets reported the ‘Death Of The Low Fat Diet’. The average person, perhaps thinking they were getting a tip on losing weight or maintaining a healthy diet, was misled.

Reading the full study, however, revealed that the researchers did not intend to steer the public away from low fat foods or low fat recipes. Indeed, entire volumes have been written about the benefits of a low fat diet, and one narrowly focused study will not change that fact. “Despite the virtues of this study — particularly its size and its design — it is a single study, and leaves some unanswered questions. Therefore, it does not constitute the final word on the subject of nutrition in older women,”(Source: Harvard Health Publications; Harvard Medical School).

Sometimes even the free medical advice from our government only serves to confuse the public. For example, consider the recent news about trans fat and saturated fat regarding food labeling requirements. For the first time in our nation’s history, food labels will now have to disclose how much trans fat is contained in the product. Added to the aforementioned research on low fat diets, these two facts bewilder and baffle the average consumer who may not understand the different types of fat in foods.

Another fine example of expert advice perplexing the public can be seen by the fact that our government has periodically changed the ideal weight chart and the recommended body fat percentage for both men and women.

So How Do Choose The Best Diet Product For You?

The first step in selecting the best diet plan for you is to find free diet information and free advice about weight control. Many reputable and reliable resources are available, one of the best being health clubs. Gyms that are focused on truly helping people achieve weight loss success will feature informative and free articles on their website. The federal government also sponsors and hosts some excellent sites that are packed with free diet information.

When seeking the best diet product for you, keep in mind that every person is unique, with separate and distinct tastes and preferences. In other words, the weight loss plan that works for you may not work for me. Some people claim that the Maker’s Diet is the best weight loss diet on the market today. Others favor the diet foods offered by the South Beach Diet. Even the best weight loss program in the world is worthless if it’s not a good match for you personally. For easy weight loss to be realized, then, it’s critical to examine many different diet products to find one that fits your individual personality.

Personalize Your Diet Plan For Optimum Results

If you absolutely love bread, then the Atkins diet recipes will not work for you. In the same way, Weight Watcher recipes wont help you much if youre not an active participant in the Weight Watcher Point program. Attempting to force yourself into diet program that doesnt fit your personality or tastes will inevitably lead to failure.

A much better approach is to find a diet system that parallels your individual preferences. Whichever diet program you select, it is important that it be a diet you can stick with for life. Forcing yourself into a diet plan thats not right for you will only make you disappointed and discouraged.

To Lose Weight Fast, Don’t Forget Weight Loss Exercise!

As we’ve seen, the experts argue about which diet is best. It seems that every weight control system has doctors and research to back up their claims. However, it cannot be disputed that the path to healthy weight loss will always include a combination of diet and exercise. It is only when you exercise to lose weight, combined with a healthy diet and sound nutritional practices, that you can achieve true fat loss and solve your weight issue once and for all. It’s not an exaggeration to say that attempting weight management without exercise is like trying to build a house without a hammer – when you’re trying to lose fat, why leave out the most effective tool?

That being said, our sound advice on how to choose a quick weight loss diet is to remember these diet tips from Pick Up The Pace:

1. If a diet has gained national exposure, it has probably worked for someone.
2. Just because a diet has worked for someone else doesn’t mean it will work for you.
3. Any given diet program can probably help somebody, but no diet program will help everybody.
4. Any fast weight loss diet must include regular exercise to be effective.

Tracie Johanson is the founder of Pick Up The Pace, a 30-minute exercise studio for women focusing on fitness, health and nutrition for maximum
weight loss. Please visit www.letspickupthepace.com for more information.

This Nutrition article is provided by Articleteller – The Free Article
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author: Ken Black

The South Beach Diet is one in which the user must have the right balance of carbohydrates and fats in order to lose weight. Dieters, who are looking to lose weight, must eat only good carbohydrates and fats. All other forms should be avoided. The diet is made up of three basic phases.

Phase one consists of a 14 day period. The dieter needs to eat three balanced meals, consisting of beef, fish, turkey, chicken, eggs, vegetables, nuts, salad and cheese. You can have a healthy, no carb snack in between your breakfast and your lunch. As with any diet, you need to drink as much water as possible.

Phase One

During phase 1 of the South Beach Diet , you cannot have certain foods that are high in carbohydrates. For instance, rice, bread, fruit, pasta and baked goods are completely off limits. Also off limits are sweets. So cookies, cakes or ice cream should be avoided.

After the 14 day period, you then move into phase 2. With phase 2, there is no set period of time. Phase 2 continues until you have the lost all of the weight you want to lose. Phase 2 will vary from person to person, depending on the exact number of pounds you wish to lose. For some, the phase may only last a couple of weeks. While others, the phase may last several months.

For most people, by the time they have entered the second phase of the diet, they should have lost around 10 pounds. This, of course, all hinges on the notion that phase 1 was followed correctly. Wavering from phase 1 can have a negative impact on the other phases.

Phase Two

During phase 2, weight loss will be slowed down and be more consistent. On average, dieters lose around 2 pounds a week. During phase 2, some foods that were prohibited in phase 1, may gradually be re-introduced. However, they need to be consumed in moderation. Other foods, such as white rice should be avoided all together. Replacing white rice with brown rice will assist in the overall weight loss experience.

Phase Three

After you have lost all the weight you want, you then enter into phase 3. Phase 3 is considered to be a maintenance phase. During this phase, you are allowed to begin to eat more normally. Many of the restrictions that were imposed during phase 1 and 2 are lifted. However, you need to incorporate some of your diet habits into your every day life.

Adapting to the new way of eating may be difficult for some. However, it has been proven that doing so could dramatically improve your cardiovascular system. Also, it could help to reduce your risk of a heart attack.

As with any diet, results will vary from person to person. Also, is important to see a physician before starting any diet regimen. The South Beach Diet requires the dieter to revamp their way of thinking and eating for a lifetime. But following the diet precisely has proven beneficial for the many who have tried it.

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Ken Black is the founder of Weight Loss Discovery, a website all about weight loss programs and more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Black

Lose Weight without Sacrificing Taste!

author: Michael Bens

There’s a popular book out right now that explores the reasons why “French women don’t get fat’. It’s certainly not for lack of eating delicious food! The same might be said for the Mediterranean diet — the traditional foods that are prepared and eaten around the Mediterranean region of Europe. The people there may not be model-skinny, but here are few if any seriously overweight people who live the traditional lifestyle and eat traditional Mediterranean foods.

It all comes down to taste – and healthy choices.

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author: Malcolm Evans

Modern dieting fashions often follow ideas that have been tried before. Dieters need to understand the history of diets.

When it comes to selling diets, it’s always “new”, always ‘revolutionary” and it is always “the diet to end all diets.”

But let’s take a close look at the history of dieting because, as that great American man of letters George Santayana said, ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” – and those words are as true of eating behavior and obesity as they are of any other area of human history.

There is pretty much general agreement on the physiological creation of obesity. How many millions of people have starved to death down human history, no-one knows. But evolution grew to favor those who were adept at converting easy food pickings into fat stores for survival during the lean times.

And throughout much of history until only quite recent times, for the vast majority of people the major issue with food has always been getting enough of it, not unwanted fatness. Until about 200 years ago, most guidelines on diet were mainly to do with custom and culture, particularly issues of religious observance.

Prior to this time, various early Greek and later European sages, when commenting on the moral benefits of relative moderation and temperance, also noticed some of the apparent health benefits but health was rarely the major focus of their discourses.

It is said that William, the Norman Conqueror of Britain, was spurred by his failing riding abilities to attempt to lose weight. He tried drinking extra wine as a substitute for food, foreshadowing some modern dieters’ habits of attempting to suppress appetite with alcohol or cigarettes.

It was in the late 1700′s that social commentators first started noticing a rising level of obesity in Europe and the US, this being the time of new wealth creation and the fast rise of new middle classes keen to acquire and flaunt their money. Until then obesity was a rarity, a curiosity, or generally a sign of affluence, reserved for the mighty of status and mighty in bulk of the state, church, or commerce.

Some historians pinpoint the emergence of modern-style dieting to the 1829 vegetarian and wholegrain advice of New Jersey preacher Rev. Sylvester Graham. However, Graham’s advice was heavily framed in Presbyterian moralism about lustings of the flesh and it is perhaps to a slightly later figure that we better look as the Father of Modern Dieting.

William Banting was a London undertaker in late middle-age who despaired of being able ever again to bend to tie his shoe laces or even walk forwards down a flight of stairs. He then adopted a high-protein and high-fat diet, supplemented with some vegetables, as recommended to him by his doctor – and lost several stones over a period of a year or so. So enthused was Banting that he published the world’s first dieting blockbuster, his Letter on Corpulence. Banting was not so much concerned about any perceived major health risks of his obesity, more the sheer discomfort of immobility and the many minor associated ailments.

Like so many dieting books that have followed, the Letter of 1862 was flabby, overwritten, repetitive, smug and desperately deficient in any detailed scientific explanation……Banting is indeed the Founding Father of a dubious publishing tradition!

However, to be fair, Banting lost a considerable amount of weight – and kept it off (and he didn’t publicize for monetary gain). Yet his achievement is the starting point of a heated debate that has been central to the Dieting Industry’s evolution ever since.

Banting put his success down to abstaining from ‘starch and saccharine matter”. This has been seized upon by legions of low-carb diet advocates every since as seminal proof that high-protein, high fat-and low-carbohydrate dieting is the Holy Grail of weight-loss.

There is, though, a glaring problem in this contention. Whilst Banting quantifies in some detail his diet consumption, he simply generalizes about what went on beforehand. We hear of beer and pies and pastries and bread – and we can only speculate as to the quantities.

Was his weight-loss simply due to eating less overall food, or was there a magic in his particular food method? From his evidence we cannot know. And ever since this argument has raged between advocates of one diet or another diet – is there a particular effect of limited carbohydrates in raising metabolism, accelerating weight-loss and facilitating weight-control?

But does it even matter? What if all this debate about whether certain foods have certain effects is simply a sideshow which maintains an unhealthy focus on food and eating? Could it be that there are higher food and dieting truths which should take precedence? – Namely that the vast majority of people know only too well the fundamentals of healthy eating, recognizing instinctively what they need and what is merely consumerism, or just plain gross.

Also, perhaps it is far more the emotional and cultural factors which keep excess weight in place than the precise mechanics of exact foods, with the simple truth being that an excess of intake will result in an ongoing excess of stored fat. And, to take it forward one more step, there are apparently more and more people realizing that a dieting-lifestyle obsession can in fact be a contributor to obesity.

Whatever, the diet bandwagon was rolling and German doctor Felix Niemeyer very soon subtly altered Banting’s advice by adding in a low-fat prescription, thus sending the two strands of protein-and-fat-in-the-diet and restricted-fat-in-the-diet on their divergent paths.

By the late 19th Century, dawning health concerns over excessive overweight were being matched by high-Victorian moral prudishness. It was no longer cool to be rich and flaunt it with a paunch. It is no coincidence that the first recorded characterizations of Anorexia were drawn at this time amongst the daughters of the rich.

Around 1900, when insurance companies proclaimed a relationship between obesity and morbidity, fat and health became generally linked in the popular consciousness.

In the early part of the 20th Century, the growth of bigger government – a more all-pervasive state – led to great advances in public health in both the US and the UK. Along with many epochal advances in social welfare there came a series of general and aspirational announcements on what the ‘ideal diet” should be. As ever down to the present day, the public generally paid not a blind bit of notice to such exhortations, unsupported as they were by the excitement of any hard sell from the Diet Industry.

And hard sell there certainly was. The first quarter of the new century saw everything from thyroid extracts from dead animals, to relatively harmless (and useless) herbal extracts, through to the newly developed amphetamine drugs being promoted as obesity wonder cures.

Two key factors fueled the fast growing Diet Industry. The first was a relative abundance of food in the West; today we live in an era of global nutritional imbalance – there are roughly the same number of people who are overfed as are underfed.

The second was the glamor of Hollywood, with its perfect stars of perfect physique. To an increasing number of observers, dieting has always remained more of a slave to fashion, despite its lip-service to health issues.

Flying the flag for moderation in the 1920′s, bringing the old-style abstinence-is-close-to-godliness messages forward into a new era, was US doctor Lulu Hunt Peters. She added the new science of calorie counting to traditional self-denial, advocated lifelong restricted calories via an obsessively closely-controlled regime. For Peters it was not just overindulgence which was the sin; physical evidence of overweight was abhorrent.

In these ways best-seller Peters could be seen as being the Founding Mother of what modern weight control charity The Weight Foundation calls Lifer Dieting, referring to those who are permanently dieting and cannot envisage without catastrophizing a single day off their strict routine.

Taking stock, we are now have background on the formation of four of the major strands of the modern Dieting Industry: high-fiber/whole-food, high-protein with high fat, low-fat and, fourthly, rigid overall calorie control.

Another major tradition had already become a widespread dieting phenomenon by the time of Peters’ pious exaltations to abstinence.

William Hay came up with the idea that certain food groups of his designation should only be eaten in strictly defined pairings. Food combination diets also still recur frequently in fresh guises because it is exceptionally easy to come up with new combinations to recommend.

The second half of the 20th Century saw it all trotted again in endless variations – the high fiber F-Plan, the carnivore’s delight of first Stillman and then Atkins, low fat in numerous guises, new combinations with the Beverley Hills and simple deprivation endlessly repacked, usually with ‘celebrity” endorsement (and often with an increased emphasis on low carbs, or somehow differentiated carbs).

So, are we scraping the barrel by now for new diets? Well, the big bandwagon rolling on in to the 21st Century has been carbs with a new twist. Picking up on the Glycemic Index, developed to assist diabetics with the timed glucose-level effects of various foods, this concept has been dragged into the realm of dieting advice. But is it just a case of new words, old ideas – aren’t we back with Banting’s ‘starch and saccharine matter”?

In fact, we could go back a good deal further. The world’s oldest surviving medical document, the Ebers Papyrus from 1550 B.C. Egypt, contains a recipe for an anti-diabetic diet of wheatgerm and okra.

It’s got a long history, this dieting business. There are grains of truth here and there but it’s not a particularly proud history when it comes to lasting weight control.

Certain diets will make people lose weight. Consistently consuming less energy than you expend will definitely result in weight loss. Diets just happen to be notoriously hopeless at achieving the one thing that really matters – moving away from a poor or obsessive relationship with food, to a good and relaxed relationship. Mind-shifts do not happen in the stomach.

Weightfoundation.com
The Weight Foundation secretary Malcolm Evans is the author of this article. Article Source:
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