Recently, few things have been debated as much as “carbohydrates vs fats”. Despite the publicity and best-selling books, the sheer number of weight loss and diet plans can be overwhelming. Which ones work? What are the health risks?
Losing weight sometimes takes experimenting. Your genes, your family, your environment – even your friends – influence how, why, what, and how much your eat. So, don’t get too discouraged or beat yourself up because a diet that “worked for everybody” didn’t pay off. Don’t fall for gimmicks when it comes to weight loss, evaluate diets carefully to find the one that is right for you.
Before starting any diet plan, ask these questions first:
What does it consist of?
Can this plan be adapted to your situation? Does it require you to buy special meals or supplements? Does it teach you how to make positive, healthy choices in your life to help maintain weight loss?
Who’s behind the diet plan?
What are their qualifications and experience? Do they have solid research and science to back up their weight-loss approach?
What are the risks?
Could the weight-loss program harm your health? Is it safe for your situation, especially if you have a health condition?
What are the results?
What benefits does this diet plan promise? Will you lose a lot of weight in a short time, or can it help you to maintain weight-loss permanently?
Look for a plan with these features:
• Flexibility. A healthy diet includes a variety of foods from all the major food groups – and even the occasional indulgence. A diet plan should also include foods that you can easily find in your grocery store.
• Balance: A weight-loss plan should include proper amounts of nutrients and calories for your individual needs. Diets that direct you to eat large quantities of certain foods may result in nutritional problems.
• Enjoyability. A diet should also include foods that you like. If it is overly restrictive or boring, you’re probably not going to stick to it.
• Physical activity. Exercise is the most important factor in maintaining weight-loss.
So, does a low-carb diet beat a low-fat diet in the battle of the bulge? The controversy continues.
Many health professionals now believe that a low-carb diet (higher in fat and protein) is a much better option to treat obesity and other chronic Western diseases. New studies suggest that lowering carbohydrates may work better than trimming dietary fat, when it comes to weight loss. Research done in a clinical trial of obese adults found that those assigned to a low-carb diet lost more weight over a period of time than those assigned to a low-fat plan. They also had bigger improvements in their cholesterol and triglyceride levels. While some experts have raised concerns that low-carb diets could be less than heart-healthy, studies suggest otherwise.
Low-carb diets have traditionally been seen as potentially risky, yet people on a low-carb diet see greater improvements in their levels of “good” HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. So no, low-carb isn’t as dangerous as some say. But also, it’s most definitely not the only way to lose weight and for many, not the most sustainable.
Everyone agrees that there is no one-size-fits-all diet. When it comes to heart health for example, there is strong evidence that the Mediterranean diet – high in “good” carbohydrates and heart healthy fats like olive oil – is a smart option. Choose a diet that you can stick to, rather than fret over low-fat versus low-carb. A good diet should be sustainable with plenty of choices and relatively few restrictions. It should be as good for your heart, brain, bones and colon as it is for your waistline. The real challenge is keeping the weight off through lifestyle changes; but if you choose the right diet plan for your needs and lifestyle, you should be able to achieve this.
Source: www.muscleandfitness.com, www.health.harvard.edu, www.mayoclinic.com, www.webmd.com, www.cbsnews.com, authoritynutrition.com
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
