The Dieting Soap Opera
posted by Jeff Dedrick
Have you been hearing how unhealthy the current recommendations from our most respected medical institutions are? Diet gurus and nutritional researchers have stepped up to the plate to declare that the high carb, low fat diets recommended by the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association and the United States Department of Agriculture are not only incorrect, but also unhealthy.
Instead, they assert that our diets should include lots of high quality protein, unlimited “good” fats, and carbohydrates are the bad guys. This has set the stage for battles between the weight loss industry and the health industry – and the only thing they’re agreeing on it seems, is the need to lose weight.
Well, there are some striking similarities between these diet programs. The bottom line of the Atkins Diet, the South Beach Diet, the Zone Diet, the American Diabetes Association diet, and the American Heart Association's Heart Healthy Diet - is to get the greatest portion of your caloric intake for the day from low carbohydrate vegetables. Spinach, broccoli, cabbage - leafy green. Carrots, summer squash, deep rich orange vegetables. Fruits with high calorie and antioxidant counts.
All these diets also strongly suggest avoiding white breads, starchy, processed foods, sweet snacks high in sugar and preservatives, and white rice.
In the end, the bottom line of every weight loss program advertised is the same:
* Eat a well-balanced diet where most of the calories are derived from whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
* Eat fewer calories than you expend.
* Exercise moderately every day.
* Learn to eat that way as a lifestyle and you will lose weight—and keep it off!
You’ve got to wonder if they’re not on to something here. Like balance, maybe?
posted by Jeff Dedrick
Have you been hearing how unhealthy the current recommendations from our most respected medical institutions are? Diet gurus and nutritional researchers have stepped up to the plate to declare that the high carb, low fat diets recommended by the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association and the United States Department of Agriculture are not only incorrect, but also unhealthy.
Instead, they assert that our diets should include lots of high quality protein, unlimited “good” fats, and carbohydrates are the bad guys. This has set the stage for battles between the weight loss industry and the health industry – and the only thing they’re agreeing on it seems, is the need to lose weight.
Well, there are some striking similarities between these diet programs. The bottom line of the Atkins Diet, the South Beach Diet, the Zone Diet, the American Diabetes Association diet, and the American Heart Association's Heart Healthy Diet - is to get the greatest portion of your caloric intake for the day from low carbohydrate vegetables. Spinach, broccoli, cabbage - leafy green. Carrots, summer squash, deep rich orange vegetables. Fruits with high calorie and antioxidant counts.
All these diets also strongly suggest avoiding white breads, starchy, processed foods, sweet snacks high in sugar and preservatives, and white rice.
In the end, the bottom line of every weight loss program advertised is the same:
* Eat a well-balanced diet where most of the calories are derived from whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
* Eat fewer calories than you expend.
* Exercise moderately every day.
* Learn to eat that way as a lifestyle and you will lose weight—and keep it off!
You’ve got to wonder if they’re not on to something here. Like balance, maybe?
posted by Jeff Dedrick
posted by Joe Muka at 5:29 PM
