A DIET CHALLEGE

Let me expand on Randy’s recent “Diet Wars” edition of The Virtual Checkup.  I agree that one study alleging the Atkins is superior to low fat approaches is not proof enough since the Atkins dieters lost marginally less weight than the low fat group (i.e. less than one dress size or minimal HDL increase).  However, there is no refuting the scientific evidence that higher amounts of lean protein in the diet contribute to greater satiety, which in turn leads to higher compliance rates.

Just look at the study mentioned in an earlier Virtual Checkup titled “Egg Breakfast Enhances Weight Loss.”  That study pointed out that in the two groups on a weight loss diet, one  consumed an egg for breakfast and the other ate a bagel.  In the end, the “egg” group lost more weight than the “bagel” group, strictly because the “egg” group was less hungry for the remainder of the day and ate fewer calories than the bagel group. 

So lean protein (that’s low-fat cuts of red meat, poultry, cold-water fish, nuts, low-fat dairy and eggs) along with a diet high in non-starchy vegetables, lower-sugar fruits (especially the berries), good fats (i.e. nuts, olives, avocadoes) and water is the diet that has been my mainstay for quite a few years.   

I know also that the current diatery mantra is to have a lot of grains in a healthy diet, but, if you are going back to a caveman diet, where were his/her grains?  I’ll tell you where they were, they WERE NOT THERE.   Grains are really a new item on the scene for man’s consumption.  If you are really following a low fat protein, non-starchy vegetable, low-sugar fruit, good fats and water type diet, you are getting the fiber you need for a healthy diet, without the grains and you feel GREAT AND ENERGIZED.  Yes, sometimes I indulge in other food items, but I can tell the difference when I don’t follow it.

So my question for you all is this; what diet has worked best for you?  Have you been able to keep off your weight with the diet you are following?  Everyone is different and responds to different diets, it would be great if we could all give each other tips for losing and maintaining weight.  I consider weight that big gorilla in the room no one wants to talk about, because it’s always there.  Maybe we can help one another here and boot that gorilla out of the room for good!