Fad Diets (Bashing low Carb diets Alert!)

wbz4 ^ | 4-9-03

[Jimmyclyde]

Fad Diets

Apr 8, 2003 4:58 pm US/Eastern (WBZ) (Boston) The number is staggering. There are 127 Million overweight Americans, and now many are turning to unhealthy fad diets to lose the weight.

As WBZ's Dr. Mallika Marshall tells us, the medical community has come out with a stern warning for those seeking a quick solution to weight loss.

The message is clear, Americans trying to lose weight by eating more protein and fat while reducing carbohydrates could, in fact, be hurting themselves.

While these so-called "fad" diets may be appealing, the American College of Preventive Medicine has come out with a warning. They say, lose the weight in an un-healthy fashion, and you may also lose your health!

In a special obesity issue, this week's Journal of the American Medical Association warns that high protein diets, such as the popular Atkins diet, may not be conducive to long-term health and the dangers of such dieting remain to be seen.

Researchers also say it isn't the restriction of carbohydrates that leads to weight loss, but instead an overall reduction in total calories.

To lose weight and also reap the health benefits, researchers recommend a "balanced" diet rich in fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains. And of course, don't forget regular exercise.

(MMIII, Viacom Internet Services Inc. , All Rights Reserved)

[Paradox]

MFW? No, but I used to be a regular there, posting under my real name. I was also on Lyle McDonald's Low Carb list.

I dont read MFW anymore, not enough time!

[Yankee]

Researchers also say it isn't the restriction of carbohydrates that leads to weight loss, but instead an overall reduction in total calories.

Pure unadulterated crap.

I lost 52 lbs from 8/30/97-11/15/97. 237-185

I am a big eater, and I mean BIG

I was eating steaks that were so large they were hanging off the plate. (If it ain't at least 24ozs it ain't a steak in my book)

There was absolutely no reduction in calories, in fact I'll bet there was an increase.

And I was never, I repeat, never uncomfortable from hunger, because I could eat whenever I wanted.

I have never gone over 195 again since. I go on and off the diet as I see fit to keep my weight in a 2-3 pound range.

My doctor admitted that even though he suspected that the diet was "harmful in the long term" that so many of his patients had lost so much weight and were in good overall health that he couldn't condemn it entirely.

His biggest surprise was that the majority of Atkins dieters he'd examined, including me, had significantly improved cholesterol levels.

[CaptRon]

My friend had a similar experience. His doctor had spoken against the diet. But after my buddy lost 30 pounds and the doctor took him off his cholesterol pills because his count was so low the doctor hasn't lectured him since.

[RightFin]

Thanks for posting this thread!

I am starting my 4th week following the induction for the Atkins plan. So far, I've lost 12-14 pounds!!!

Over the last ten years, I've gone on fad diets and lost 20 and gained back 30. Then I lost 30 and gained back 40.

This is NOT a diet -- this is a way of eating for life. I spent my 30's being overweight and I will not spend the rest of my life living that way. My husband is very supportive and even a bit jealous of the food I get to eat! :)

Thank Goodness for Atkins -- I've tried EVERY diet out there and none of them have worked. As a matter of fact, I used to start a new diet at least once a week... not anymore!

[Maven]

I will ditto that. Plus, I have found that I need some extra potassium also. I have always been prone to cramps and if I don't take potassium suppliments they come on strong.

What I do is use Morton's Lite Salt instead of regular table salt. The Lite Salt is half potassium, half salt.

Maven

[Maven]

I've been having a great time reading the responses on this thread!

I'm probably the queen of low carbing here - been doing it for almost 5 1/2 years, and have lost more than 175 pounds.

I feel terrific, and my last cholesterol test showed an overall count of 142, with triglycerides of 46. I needed to bump up my HDL levels a bit, so I added in more monosaturated fats.

Both my parents started low carbing - my mother a couple of years ago, and my father last July. My mother has lost about 50 pounds, and now lifts weights three times a week - at the age of 66 (she's so cute!). My father has lost about 65 pounds since he started - he'll be 68 in July.

The only "food groups" I stay away from are grains and sugars. I eat plenty of vegetables - particularly cruceriferous ones. Right now, during strawberry season, I indulge in a few berries every evening for dessert (berries and most melons are relatively low carb fruits).

For those who say that low carbers eat fewer calories - that is, in fact, partially true. Dietary fat is a wonderful appetite suppressant, so low carbers tend not to have runaway appetites.

The only other foods I stay away from are transfats - there are no margarines or shortenings in my kitchen.

Maven
If you Freepmail me, I'll show you where to go to see my before and during pictures.

[jiggyboy]

Sardines and salmon are good; yellow corn tortillas are surprisingly good in some cases (up to 15% each) -- definitely check the label because some are nearly 0%.

A lot of manufactured bread products, especially english muffins, have a lot of calcium because of calcium-based preservatives. In this case, the cheaper no-name brands are actually highest.

Tofu has a good amount; check the label here too because it varies a lot from brand to brand. I find lots of good recipes that have tofu at some of the food sites, and I'm no nuts-and-roots kook.

Sesame seeds are surprisingly high -- 6% in a tablespoon. A meal of Sesame Chicken is just the stuff once in a while. Almonds are pretty good too.

[Spirited]

"Your results may vary... "

Thank you for your contributions here.
Why does our population assume that we are paper doll cut-outs instead of as unique as snowflakes? Each of us differs in metabolic as well as physical make-up and functions.

The myopic view of the medical profession these days is stunning in its' stupidity. The prominent part the pharmaceutical companies have played in the education of physicians and politicians has allowed them to dictate to the lot and beguile the whole. That seems to lead the other croaking frogs in the same errant directions.

[omegatoo]

Exercise!
I did it accidentally, yard work, you know....
I was pretty much getting away from the weight-loss phase, adding carbs back in. A couple of days of brush-clearing and the weight started coming off again. It seems to be continuing even though my activity level is back to baseline couch-potato.
O2

[Indrid Cold]

Yeah, the Atkins diet only came out, what, 25 or 35 years ago? Goodness knows what sort of ill-health symptoms are just around the bend.

[leadhead]

I never had luck with Adkins, so I went lo carb, lo fat. Mostly salads with fish or chicken breasts, some cottage cheese, yougert, heavy spinich & salmon. Lost 15 in three weeks. Would have lost more if I believed that Bud Lite was actually beer.

[I got the rope]

This is an interesting post. I've been on Atkins for 4 weeks and have gone from 230 to 215. I still eat like a pig but I've cut sugar and breads. I'm at 50g of Carbs a day.

[OpusatFR]

What I find questionable is the constant push to consume margarines instead of butter. The Transfatty Acids in margarines and shortenings which are in just about every single processed food have been implicated in heart disease in ways that animal fats and vegetable oils have not.

The whole study is flawed from what I've read of current studies.

[carton253]

Started atkins 9 weeks ago... 16 pounds gone, 5% of my body fat and close to 18 inches gone..

Diet is easy, and I feel fabulous!

Thanks for your encouraging words.

[babaloo]

I am back on the diet (started Ash Wednesday) and have lost 12 lbs. This is my second go at Atkins after having lost 35 pounds four years ago on the diet. I am so mad at myself for gaining most of it back due to a return to my old eating habits of chips, crackers, cookies etc. I am determined to get it off and keep it off this go-round. It is a way of life I am convinced. Now I need to remember that.

[carton253]

If you need support or encouragement, freepmail me. I have a long way to go to reach my goal weight, but I am going to do it!

[HeadOn]

Well - I've had some kidney problems, and my nephrologist (kidney specialist) has specifically warned me against high protein diets.

One of the measurements they take to check the health of your kidneys is directly related to the waste they filter and remove due to excess proteins. If the content is too high in your blood, it means your kidneys are damaged, or that you are eating too much protein to filter properly and stressing/damaging your kidneys.

One man's doctor's opinion, but it backs up the story...

[Dad was my hero]

I tried Atkins, had a tough time on it. Initially didn't have the right book in his series so went to the second phase and lost about 8 lbs, felt hungry most of the time even though I was eating constantly. Then I got the right book and went to the induction phase and really felt bad. Finally discontinued the diet because I felt so bad, couldn't run anymore and went back to the old carb loaded diet. I still think Atkins has it right along with Sugar Busters. It is sound from a pathophysiological standpoint.

Maybe I need to go back on but not at the induction phase? What do you think?

[sinkspur]

I don't know about the "no dairy" thing. I've been pregnant or nursing since 1996

Good heavens! As Groucho Marx once said "I like cigars,but I take 'em out of my mouth once in a while!"

[Nov3]

This time when you go on the diet take some potassium and magnesium, chromium and vanadyl. With each meal take l-carnitine and l-glutamine. That makes the transition to fat burning easier. You still are going to feel like $h!T for aound a week. Oh eat a ton of fat initially. It kills your hunger. EX. sardines, sausage, vienna sausage, eggs, fatty steaks. 4 small meals is better that 2 big ones.

No matter what Atkins says in the book at around five days into the diet, if someone waves a tray of croissants in front of you. . . . you might kill.