Diet Program - Research Paper Example

Running Head: DIETING Choosing a Suitable Diet Dr. Atkins, a cardiologist, developed “The Atkins Diet” during the seventies. This is a diet that requires unlimited intake of meats and fats. Whereas other diets stress more vegetables and fruits, this diet stresses more meat and fats. A diet like this is bound to cause health problems. It is totally contrary to the food pyramid. Choosing a Suitable Diet Americans are always looking for a “quick fix,” the main reason weight loss programs and pre-prepared diet foods industries thrive.

What over-weight people need is not a diet but a change of life-style. The “Atkins Diet” is one of these many “quick fix” diet. The “Atkins Diet” was developed in the early 70s by Dr. Atkins, a cardiologist. Dr. Atkins developed this diet because he believed that carbohydrates were the culprit of obesity. The body burns both fats and carbohydrates, therefore, if carbohydrates are reduced or eliminated the body will start burning fat. On this diet, the amount of food consumed is limitless.

The restriction is on the type of food: no refined sugar; milk; white rice; pasta/white flour; and white potato. All the foods rich in fats are allowed to be eaten: meat; eggs; cheese/spread; red meat, fish (including shellfish); fowl; one may cook with butter; use mayo; and olive oil. This is diet of almost pure protein and fats. This diet is divided into four stages; phase one, two, there, and four. The first phase, phase one, lasts two weeks, the dieter eats only proteins and fats. three cups of loosely packed salad, or two cups of salad with two-thirds cup of certain cooked vegetables per day.

For phases two, three, and four, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables are added gradually, and limitedly. The objective of this is more fats and protein. Dieters must keep checking their weight and decrease their carbohydrate intake if they begin to gain weight. This is a diet that also requires the dieter to take vitamins supplements (WebMD). Obviously this is not a practical diet. A diet with an intake of more protein than carbohydrates ; and is going to last a lifetime, can never be healthy.

Exerciser seems to be the only good thing that this diet promotes. The diet is a life sentence; and the dieter can never touch the restricted food again; who wants to be held hostage to a diet for life? Robert H. Nickel, MD, director of the general clinical research center at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, tells WebMD: "Our worries over the Atkins diet go way past the question of whether it is effective for losing weight or even for keeping weight off. We worry that the diet promotes heart disease .

We have concerns over whether this is a healthy diet for preventing heart disease, stroke, and cancer. There is also potential loss of bone, and the potential for people with liver and kidney problems to have trouble with the high amounts of protein in these diets"(WebMD). This diet has turned the food pyramid upside down, example; unlimited fats, cheese, and creams, food pyramid: use sparingly; unlimited protein, food pyramid: 2-3 serving; carbohydrates sparingly, food pyramid: 6-11 servings, per day.

A diet like this, especially in the first two weeks, without a doubt will give the dieter constipation. A good diet is measured by its long term effects. Studies of this diet is ongoing, yet, one does not need a medical degree to figure out that staying on a diet like this would lead to health difficulties. A combination of all the colors of fruits, and vegetables, plus nuts, fulfill all the requirements of the food pyramid. This is diet for the really disciplined and adventurous; nonetheless, your health will greatly benefit from this diet, Jack LaLanne, testify to the fact that fruit juice cured his cancer.

Other people have testified to the wonder of green juice, a mixture of vegetable and fruit juice. The truth about dieting is to decide on a diet that is healthy, a change of life-style. The best type of diet or weight loss is: fresh air; exercise, water; juices instead of sugar drink; and no processed food. Dieters do not have to give up anything, only processed food, to loose weight; just eat smaller portions of the food they like; and exercise. Every once in a while they can have a small portion of the forbidden food.

The best t diet is a diet that can last a lifetime. References“The Atkins Diet.” WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/diet/atkins-diet-what-it-is