It would not be surprising to hear your answer is "yes, I'm
confused by all these so called diets." You may read from one
expert that low carbohydrate (low carb) and high protein is the
way to lose weight. Another will try to convince you that low
fat, lots of carbs, fresh fruits and vegetables, is the right
way to go. Yet another will try to convince you that you need to
count the amount of sugar; or another that main culprit for your
being overweight is white flour. So, if you are serious about
losing weight, who should you listen to?
The brief summaries below give a quick overview of the pros and
cons of each of the popular types of diet plans.
1. Weight Loss Programmes
There are quite a few well known weight loss programmes, for
example SlimFast, Jenny Craig, and NutriSystem. These and a
number of other weight loss programmes rely heavily on
pre-packaged 'diet' foods. However, they incorporate
professional coaching into the programme; plus, they also offer
some sort of social structure and support to reinforce the diet
programme.
Advantages of Weight Loss Programmes
The professional coaching and nutritional benefits of such diet
programmes are a big positive factor, as are the reinforcement
and support aspect of the diets. Meals and supplements are
prepackaged in the right proportions, and if you stick to the
diets and exercise as directed you should lose weight.
Disadvantages of Weight Loss Programmes
You will normally have to pay weekly charges for this type of
programme, plus the cost of the meals can be expensive.
Furthermore, if you rely totally on the packaged foods, you will
miss out on your re-education as far as your eating habits go.
That could be important to maintaining any weight loss in the
long term.
2. Low Carb & Hi Protein Diets
Diets like the Atkins diet, the South Beach diet, and the Zone
Diet all recommend restricted intake of carbohydrates, but allow
liberal amounts of protein, including protein derived from
animal sources. Generally, these diets limit the overall amount
of carbohydrates, and/or teach you to tell the difference
between "good" and "bad" carbohydrates. Bad carbohydrates, which
are forbidden, include white flour, white bread, and white
sugar. The 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. The popularity of the diets makes
it easy to find low-carb foods.
Advantages Of Low Carb Diets
These low carbohydrate diets do encourage you to learn healthy
eating as part of losing weight. That will have long term
benefits for you. A diet in which you derive most of your daily
calories from high fibre sources of carbohydrates, such as leafy
green vegetables and grains, is often recommended by the
established medical community for good nutrition. Because these
diets are popular, it is easy to find low-carb foods.
Disadvantages Of Low Carb Diets
The allowance for eating all the protein and fats you like does
go against conventional medical wisdom. it is thought that a
diet high in saturated fats could lead to heart disease,
diabetes, gout and other chronic health conditions. These diets
are accompanied by cautions and advice, which suggest you keep
portions reasonable. Follow that advice and that concern may be
allayed somewhat; but if in doubt, consult your doctor.
3. The Real Mayo Clinic Diet
This diet is not the one which has circulated for the past
thirty or more years and purported to have originated at the
Mayo Clinic! The true Mayo Clinic's nutrition and diet centre
recommends a healthy eating weight loss plan that is based on
limiting fats, proteins and carbohydrates, counting calories and
deriving most of the daily nutrition from vegetables, grains and
fruit.
Advantages Of The Real Mayo Clinic Diet
Really, there is no 'diet' as such, in the sense we often use
the word when we are talking about losing weight. Instead, you
are encouraged to take control of your own eating. By doing so,
you aim to achieve portion control, and a sensible balance of
nutrients. These are the pillars of a weight loss plan that
takes weight off gradually, but then helps you keep your weight
down permanently.
Disadvantages Of The Real Mayo Clinic Diet
This may be a difficult diet to maintain. Counting calories and
portions can be difficult if you are eating out or on the run
living an active and busy life, and often away from home.
There are many diets claiming to take weight off quickly and
painlessly, without exercise or changing your eating habits.
Most doctors believe the optimum way to lose weight, for long
lasting results, is to lose 1-2 pounds per week. The variations
of the three major diets above are all capable of helping you do
just that.