Blog Entry #119
By Anthoney J. Andersen – Steroidal.com
As summer rapidly approaches, people are scurrying to find the quickest way to shed those unwanted pounds, while exposing muscle tone.
But what is the best way to go about it? Which diet regimen will achieve the fastest results and get you looking your leanest in time for beach season?
Proceed forward as the truths are unveiled about the nation’s most famous fad diets.
SOUTH BEACH
One of America’s most famous diet plans belongs to the South Beach Diet. Sometimes referred to as the “celebrity of low-carb diet plans,” the South Beach Diet was concocted by Arthur Agatston, MD, author of The South Beach Diet.
In his book, Agatston explains how the key to weight loss isn’t cutting all carbohydrates and fats from your diet, but rather choosing the right carbs and the right fats.
Agatston’s approach to weight loss was developed for his patients suffering from heart disease – helping them lose weight and lower their cholesterol.
“By emphasizing foods that are loaded with fiber and nutrients, the South Beach Diet promises to help you kick your cravings, jump start your weight loss, and keep those unwanted pounds off for life,” says Agatston.
South Beach Diet Food Options
According to Agatston, the food you’re allowed to consume depends on the phase you’re on in the diet. Phase 1 is the most grueling and includes:
- A lot of protein from beef, poultry, seafood, eggs and cheese.
- Some fats, including canola oil, virgin olive oil and avacados.
- Carbs with the lowest glycemic index, including broccoli, tomatoes, spinach and eggplant.
Make sure to stay away from fruit, fruit juices, dairy products and alcohol.
Agatston says that you can expect to lose between eight to 13 pounds within the first two weeks of phase 1.
In phase 2, you can begin to reintroduce your body to healthy carbs – fruits, whole-grain bread, whole-grain rice, pasta and sweet potatoes – as your body begins to slow its weight gain to one to two pounds a week.
Phase 3 is about maintaining your weight. There’s no food list to follow because at this point Agatston says it’s up to you to make proper food choices and work on getting yourself back on track if you find yourself overindulging.
In his book, Agatston promises that if you abide by the phases and stick to his strict diet regimen, you’ll sit back and watch the pounds melt away.
THE PALEO DIET
Traveling back to the prehistoric days where our ancestors would only feast on foods that were high in protein and fiber, The Paleo Diet is often referred to as the “caveman diet” or the “stone age diet.”
Loren Cordain, PhD, and author of the book The Paleo Diet, claims that by eating like our prehistoric ancestors, we’ll find ourselves to be leaner, while decreasing our chances of heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
The Paleo Diet Food Options
If you decide to venture down the Paleo path, you’ll find yourself consuming a lot of lean meats, fish, fruits and vegetables. Cordain also gives the greenlight to eat eggs, nuts & seeds, olive oil and coconut oil.
Since our ancestors were hunter-gathers, Cordain urges people to stay away from processed foods. Make sure you keep away from wheat and dairy, along with other wheat and legumes ¾ such as peanuts and beans.
The Paleo Diet is low in cost, and doesn’t require a weekly exercise routine to achieve results. However, Cordain strongly urges you to engage in some sort of physical activity in order to keep the weight off.
THE POWER PROTEIN DIET
“Feel fit and boost your health in just weeks!”
This claim comes from the authors of The New York Times best-selling book: Power Protein: The High-Protein/Low Carbohydrate Way to Lose Weight, Feel Fit, and Boost Your Health-in Just Weeks!
Husband and wife, Michael R. Eades, MD, and Mary Dan Eades, MD, wrote this low-carb, high protein diet plan that consists of scientific explanations about insulin and glucagon – the major hormones responsible for turning food you eat into fuel for your body.
According to the Eades, by limiting your carb intake, you decrease your insulin levels. By doing this, your body begins to produce more glucagon, which will help burn more stored fat.
The Power Protein Diet Food Options
When it comes to protein, the authors say to focus on foods that are rich in protein, including fish, poultry, red meat, low-fat cheese (cottage cheese, feta, mozzarella) and eggs.
It’s also okay to consume green vegetables, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, eggplant, cucumbers and mushrooms.
The diet plan calls for a high intake of fiber – 25 grams per day is recommended.
The authors of The Power Protein Diet suggest incorporating some sort of physical activity to your diet regimen – resistance training is recommended ¾ in order to help your body burn more stored fat.
THE FOLLOW THROUGH
When it comes to diet and weight loss, self-control and dedication are two major factors in order to succeed at achieving your goal.
If you find your will power begin to slip during your chosen diet plan, take a moment to remember why you’re doing it in the first place: for a healthier and better you.
Persistence is key.
References:
Agatston, Arthur. 2005. April 14. The South Beach Diet
Cordain, Loren. 2010. December 7. The Paleo Diet
Eades, Michael R., Eades Mary Dan. 1997. December 1. Power Protein: The High-Protein/Low Carbohydrate Way to Lose Weight, Feel Fit, and Boost Your Health-in Just Weeks!
