|
|
|
|
 |
Email
|
Weight Loss Diets
7 Useful Lessons from Trendy Diet Plans
Incorporate the smart eating strategies behind the success of these popular diets into your own meal plan
By
Atkins
This nearly carb-free diet allows you to eat as much meat and cheese as your heart desires. Atkins is based on the fact that when you severely limit carb intake, your body is forced to burn existing fat for energy, a process known as ketosis. Sounds appealing, but ketosis comes with drawbacks, including muscle loss and health risks. While this controversial diet doesn’t have a calorie cap, banned foods include white flour, white rice, refined sugar, and milk. Because you keep your carb count below 40 g per day, compared to the average 200 to 400 g per day, you can only eat limited amounts of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, which is another reason nutritionists are wary of this high-protein, high-fat diet. “Your body needs a combination of carbs, protein, and fat to run properly,” says Jason Machowsky, RD. (Video: Whip up this balanced meal instead!)
Lesson learned: Weight loss is about more than just calories in, calories out—the types of foods you choose matter too. A 2010 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that after a year, dieters on a low-carb diet lost the same amount of weight as those following a low-calorie, low-fat diet. Atkins is appealing to many because you don’t have to cut calories to drop pounds, but driving your body into a state of ketosis comes with health risks, such as kidney failure and gout. So apply this principle as part of a balanced diet: Limit empty carbohydrates such as enriched grains and processed sugars; choose foods rich in nutrients; opt for healthy sources of fat; eat more wholesome, fiber-packed foods that satisfy for few calories. You’ll still need to keep portions in check, but making healthier food choices is the first step to lasting weight loss.
Discover how to lose up to 15 pounds in 32 days!
Lesson learned: Weight loss is about more than just calories in, calories out—the types of foods you choose matter too. A 2010 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that after a year, dieters on a low-carb diet lost the same amount of weight as those following a low-calorie, low-fat diet. Atkins is appealing to many because you don’t have to cut calories to drop pounds, but driving your body into a state of ketosis comes with health risks, such as kidney failure and gout. So apply this principle as part of a balanced diet: Limit empty carbohydrates such as enriched grains and processed sugars; choose foods rich in nutrients; opt for healthy sources of fat; eat more wholesome, fiber-packed foods that satisfy for few calories. You’ll still need to keep portions in check, but making healthier food choices is the first step to lasting weight loss.
Discover how to lose up to 15 pounds in 32 days!
More From
| Related Program | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
Related Content
Advertisement
Must-see on MSN
