Low-Carb High-Protein Diets
Posted by Liz Delacruz
There are many diets that have shown people successfully losing weight and that is through a low carb and high protein diet. Of course, there are different variations of the diet but here are a few popular ones that you may want to consider.
The Atkins Diet
The popular Atkins Diet was created by Dr. Robert Atkins back in the early 70′s and around 2003, the diet became so widely popular that many people, many restaurants and many companies started to offer menus that were low in carbs. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 25 million Americans are on a low carb diet during any given period.
There are many diets which focus on metabolic theories and the Atkins Diet believes that obesity is caused by refined carbohydrates such as sugar, flour and high-fructose corn syrup. The second is due to saturated fat and trans fats.
With the first phase of the Atkins Diet, people must restrict the carbohydrate intake to 20 grams and the selection of foods that can be eaten in the first two weeks alone may deter quite a bit of people.
The South Beach Diet
South Beach Diet is one of the more popular diet plans created by cardiologist Arthur Agatston that primarily focuses on the good carbohydrates and fats. This diet plan was originally developed as dieting research for his for his cardiac patients.
Agatston believed that when people consumed too much of the bad carbohydrates, such as foods that are high in the glycemic index, it would cause an insulin resistance syndrome and that the hormone known as insulin would be impaired in processing fat or sugar. And that consuming these bad fats (saturated or trans-fat) would lead to cardiovascular disease. So, the South Beach diet would prevent these negative conditions through a change in diet by incorporating good fats and carbs to the diet.
The Zone Diet
The Zone Diet was created by biochemist Barry Sears which advocates consuming calories from carbohydrates, protein and fat in a ration of 40:30:30. The Zone Diet has had the support of several celebrities and is considered a low-carb diet. Although not as restrictive in total carbohydrate intake as the Protein Power Diet and Atkins Diet, Sears believed that the Zone is proper hormone balance.
When insulin levels are neither high nor too low, anti-inflammatory chemicals are released in the body and similar to the effects of aspirin to help the body. Sears believes that the 30:40 ratio of protein to carbohydrates triggers this effect, which he calls “The Zone” and believes that the anti-inflammatories are healthy to the body and the heart.
Protein Power Diet
The Protein Power Diet was originally created by Michael and Mary Dan Eades and the goal is to reduce carbohydrate intake in order for the body to switch over to using fat for fuel. But then slowly introducing low glycemic carbohydrates back into the diet and so you are eating more cabs than protein.
The Protein Power Diet has two primary phases for carbohydrate reduction. Each phase is designated to a person of different body weights. Phase 1 of the diet is for those that are 20% and over their ideal body weight. So, they would reduce carbohydrate intake to a maximum of 30 grams. Phase 2 is for those who are less than 20% of their ideal body weight and thus needs to reduce their carbohydrate intake by 55 grams.
Make sure you contact a physician before attempting any of these low carb, high protein diets.
