Diets by their very nature tend to be temporary. So how can we find one
that we can live with day after day? Before we try to answer this
question, lets take a look at some popular diets out there today.
South Beach:
The South Beach diet was developed by Florida based cardiologist Arthur
Agatston, who prescribed this diet to his cardiac patients. The key
points of the South beach diet are:
- Avoid consuming bad (i.e. simple) carbohydrates like sugar, sweets, white bread etc.
- Avoid fats that are bad for you (saturated fats, trans fats)
- Use a three-phased approach that aims at losing weight in the first
phase and gradually introducing more variety as you move into phase
three.
This diet is a fairly good one, although it may not be the most
effective for weight loss. It also allows us to eat consume some foods
that could be bad for us in the long run.
Atkins
Here is another very popular diet. This diet follows a low carbohydrate
–high protein based regime. The diet uses the concept of ketosis; in
which the body burns excess fat is burned as fuel, resulting in a loss
in weight. Although this is an effective diet for weight reduction, it
cannot be recommended as the ‘best diet for life’. A lot of people
following the diet consume too much protein and excess fat, The diet
does not emphasize the importance of fresh fruit and vegetables to our
overall well-being. It should not be adopted as the best diet for life.
Sonoma Diet
This is another diet that uses a three phased approach to losing
weight. Unlike the South Beach diet, it does allow the consumption of
(whole grain) cereals and bread during the first phase. This is a very
balanced diet. It is not as restrictive as many others and allows the
individual more choice. Overall it is quite a good diet to follow in
the long term.
Zone Diet
The Zone Diet was developed by biochemist Dr Barry Sears. He recommends
that we get 40% of our calories from carbohydrates, 30% from protein
and 30% from fat - unsaturated where possible. This is a fairly
balanced diet, and can be adopted on a daily basis. The drawback is the
need to be conscious of the quantities we consume of each of the food
groups. As an athlete I have followed this diet (approximately, without
counting calories!) with good results.
The Best Diet For Life
The above are just a few of the many dieting programs available today.
Which one will work best for you really depends on your needs today.
Are you looking for a way to lose weight now, or just to maintain your
current weight? The best diet is one that:
- meets your current weight loss needs
- you can live with on a daily basis
- is healthy and provides your body with the nutrients needed
- allows you to cheat occasionally
- includes an exercise program
Importance of Exercise
Many diet programs (especially those using weight loss pills) don’t
stress the need to exercise regularly. If you don’t burn the same, or
more, calories than you consume, then you’ll never maintain your ideal
weight. Walking, jogging, cycling and aerobics are all pleasurable
exercises that will burn calories and contribute to your overall
feeling of well-being.
Conclusion
The fact is, no one diet will probably do everything you need and you
should review them all. If you want to lose weight then the Atkins diet
is probably the most effective. Once you have lost the weight however,
you need to select a regime that meets all the other criteria above.
The Sonoma diet is good, and so is the Zone. As long as you follow the
basic guidelines, avoid junk food as much as possible and make sure you
are getting a good intake of natural organic foods then you have
probably found the best diet for your life.
You can find more information about healthy food choices on my webpage
Best Diet For Life
