The Diet Experts Agree More Than They Admit!
by Kirsten Hawkins
Lately, I've been hearing a lot about how wrong for our bodies
the current recommendations from our most respected medical
institutions are. Well-known diet gurus and nutritional
researchers have stepped up to the plate to declare that the
high carbohydrate, low fat diet regimens recommended by such
institutions as the American Heart Association, the American
Diabetes Association and the United States Department of
Agriculture are misinformed, and frankly unhealthy.
Instead, they charge, our diets should include lots of high
quality protein, fat should not  concern us, and carbohydrates
are the enemy. This has set the stage for battles between the
weight loss industry and the health industry - with the only
agreement between them seeming to be the need to lose weight.
The problem is - they're both wrong. And they're both right.
The most regularly leveled criticisms of each seem legitimate -
until you examine the recommended diets in depth. Sit down and
look at the recommended menus. Take them to the calorie
calculators and compare ingredients and nutrients. I did, and
what I found was a revelation.
In the most practical sense, they're all talking about the same
diet.
Oh, there are minor variations that have been grossly blown out
of proportion by the advertising hype. There are
misinterpretations that have been stated as fact. The bottom
 line of each and every one 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 -- all
of them - is to derive 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. Whole grains - and this is where the
controversy seems to arise.
Almost without exception, proponents of the low carb diets for
weight loss and maintenance have condemned the recommended
diets for suggesting that adults should derive the greater
portion of their diets from carbohydrates. What they fail to
note is that also without exception, each of those 'healthy'
diets strongly suggest avoiding white breads, starchy,
processed foods, sweet snacks high in sugar and preservatives,
and white rice.
On the other hand, the medical community has roundly condemned
the low carb diets for encouraging the consumption of a diet
high in saturated fats and cholesterol. But there is also a
strong suggestion in each of those diets along the lines of "eat only until you are  no longer hungry". .. and a minimum
consumption of vegetables. Dinner's minimum suggested amount of
vegetables is 2 1/2 cups. How hungry will you be after consuming
two and a half cups of vegetable?
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!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health
expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.popular-diets.com/ for more great nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well
as reviews and comments on popular diets.
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