Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Low Fat versus Low Carb Diets

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Low Fat versus Low Carb Diets


Diets, diets, diets... every where you go, anything you read you cant miss them, they are almost everywhere. And if you have weight problems you are really annoyed by the huge number of ads or commercials promoting one or another type of diet.

Thats why we asked on your behalf and we went to the best specialist to find the answer for the most charged topic: low fat versus low carb diets. First of all let me tell you about how this study was made, in order to understand its accuracy. It went over a period of 10 years, involving 2700 of people that were on one of those diets. Some of the most important universities involved in this study: University of Colorado in Denver, the University of Pittsburgh, and Brown University in Providence, R.I. Their purpose was to collect data from people who have lost at least 30 pounds and more than that, they were able to maintain their weight for at least a year.

Most of the subjects were women with an average age of 47. But the results of the studies show that there was no difference between the diet--low-fat and the diet low-carb in what regards the way that people initially lost weight.

Even though the percent of those how were on a low-carb diet increased, the results proved that after a while most of them regained weight. Even if they ate less carbohydrate and the amount of protein was the same this didnt changed the situation. The ones that conducted the study reported that only a small number of successful weight losers are on a low-carbohydrate diet.

One of the disadvantages in the race low fat versus low carb diets is that the blood lipid levels can get worse. In what regards a long period other studies have proved that low-carb diets have as a result higher levels of healthy HDL cholesterol than the low-fat diets, which in the most cases reduce the HDL levels.

The competition it is very strong, but somebody has to win it. The low fat versus low carb diets contest has to have only one winner and you are the one that will decide!

If you find this information useful you should visit the site http://www.free-online-diet-plans.com where you will find lots of interesting articles related to this topic, all original and wrote by Andreea Dinescu.

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Low Carb vs. High

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Low Carb vs. High


Low carb diets can be classified as food plans that require keeping carbohydrates as low as 3% and never more than about 25 to 30%. This is much lower than the 50 to 60% recommended by most good scientists and valid research. Low carb diets include programs like Atkins, Protein Power, The Zone, Sugar Busters and the South Beach diet.

As you can see by the chart below, the Ornish and Pritikin diets at 70% and 80% carbs, are definitely high carb. One means used to distract peoples attention away from the fact that the Atkins diet is basically an unhealthy food plan is to compare a low carb diet to a high carb diet. However, neither one is the best solution.

Although the in-depth research of Dr. Dean Ornish, using his high carb/low fat diet, has uncovered some amazing findings and produced phenomenal results in reversing heart disease, as a weight loss program and regular eating plan, it has some drawbacks. The Ornish diet, as with Pritikin, is proving to be too low in healthy oils from fish, olives, nuts and seeds. Plus, it may also raise triglycerides and lower HDL (good) cholesterol.

This chart shows you carb, fat and protein comparisons:

Carbs Fat Protein
Atkins 3-20% 45-65% 25-35%
South Beach 10-25% 50-70% 20-30%
Healthy 50-60% 20-30% 20-25%
Ornish/Pritikin 70-80% 5-15% 10-15%

Diets at both the top and bottom extremes have their problems. Anyone can lose weight on a diet fad or otherwise - for a week, a month or even six months. But, for a weight loss program to be truly effective, your diet must become part of your lifestyle and the basis of everyday food choices. Besides health concerns, too many people find both low carb and high carb diets difficult to stick with for a lifetime. Your best bet is to develop a low calorie, healthy eating lifestyle that includes regular moderate exercise.

About The Author

Moss Greene is the Nutrition Host at Bellaonline.com. Visit her web site at http://www.bellaonline.com/site/nutrition to find out how to look better, feel your best and have more energy -naturally. Join her free health and fitness newsletter by going to http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art2919.asp

nutrition@bellaonline.com

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