Confused about which diet is best.

[Quiver0f10]

Years ago I lost 65#s following a low fat diet. Unfortunately I ate very unhealthy low fat foods such as low fat cookies, cakes, ice cream etc. The weight dropped off because I was in my early 20’s, was nursing a baby, was walking an hour a day and working out.

 

Had a few more babies and gained a lot of weight.

 

Then, a few years ago I lost 100#s eating a high carb diet with a bit of protein thrown into the mix. I ate lots of whole grains, lots of veggies, fruits and lean proteins like beans, lentils and occasional chicken breast or fish.

 

By the time I was down 100# though my hair was falling out and I was freezing all the time. I finally figured out that it was because of the extreme low fat diet. I added in some healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds) and started feeling better. My hair grew back in.

 

Unfortunately I stopped eating this way and started eating junk food and fatty foods and put back on a good amount of the weight.

 

So here I am again trying to get healthy. I have been following a low-carb diet in order to fight off systematic Candida, but I can’t handle all the protein and fat. I just don’t feel good eating this way.

 

I was reading through a thread yesterday about diet (can’t find it now) and a lot of people mentioned how unhealthy a low fat diet is and most recommended a low-carb diet and lots of fat. I am worried about becoming diabetic so I really want to get this weight off. Adding to the confusion is that I have macular degeneration and my eye specialist told me to avoid high fat, especially animal fat, and to eat lots of fruits and veggies.

 

So I have no clue what to do now as far as changing the way I eat. Which diet is right? There was so much conflicting information when I tried searching online that I gave up in confusion.

 

Thanks if you read this far. :) and if you have any advice about how to change eatiing habits for life and not regain the weight, I would love to hear from you!

[MIch elle]

Please read the latest Atkins book before deciding if it's for you: http://www.amazon.com/New-Atkins-You-Ultimate-Shedding/dp/1439190275/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310481568&sr=8-1 Many people do not follow Atkins correctly or make incorrect statements/assumptions about the Atkins Nutritional Program without getting the facts.

 

This is the latest book on the subject which I haven't read yet but plan to read: http://www.amazon.com/Art-Science-Low-Carbohydrate-Living/dp/0983490708/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310481804&sr=1-2

 

Here's another good book: http://www.amazon.com/Gave-Low-Fat-Pounds-Revised-Expanded/dp/1592330401/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310482001&sr=1-1 Read her blog: http://holdthetoast.com/

Edited July 12, 2011 by MIch elle
added info

[Cindy in C-ville]

 

So here I am again trying to get healthy. I have been following a low-carb diet in order to fight off systematic Candida, but I can’t handle all the protein and fat. I just don’t feel good eating this way.

 

I was reading through a thread yesterday about diet (can’t find it now) and a lot of people mentioned how unhealthy a low fat diet is and most recommended a low-carb diet and lots of fat. I am worried about becoming diabetic so I really want to get this weight off. Adding to the confusion is that I have macular degeneration and my eye specialist told me to avoid high fat, especially animal fat, and to eat lots of fruits and veggies.

 

 

Hi Jean,

 

I think that there isn't a diet that is best for everyone. I've done what you've done - tried a variety of things. I never was super-heavy, just had more weight on than I wanted to carry. For me, protein, veggies, and occasional fruits and whole grains is what works best for me. I eat "real" food, full-fat options, but I'm satisfied. I really can't eat sugar and white flour. This way of eating gives me energy and I'm not hungry or craving cookies, ice cream, etc. Of course, I'm drinking a ton of water.

 

With the macular degeneration, I'd talk to your eye specialist or get a second opinion on the impact of eating animal fats on this condition. That might be the single issue that has to determine how you eat.

 

I hope you get some answers! I know that you need energy to manage your precious household!

[Plaid Dad]

:bigear:

[Ellie]

The "best" one is the one you can stay on, KWIM?

 

When I do low-fat, my cholesterol shoots through the roof. I also seem to have some sort of issues with gluten, so that when I eat lots of whole grains I have, um, issues. Low-fat + whole grains = tummy issues and high cholesterol

 

What works best for me is Atkins. There's significant scientific and medical data now which proves Dr. Atkins' claims.

[Momof3littles]

DId you get a chance to read the Taubes piece from a few years ago "What if it is all a big Fat Lie?"

 

I would pick up his book Good Calories, Bad Calories or his new one Why We Get Fat. I hate the titles but his books are very, very well researched.

 

eta: here's a short piece that might interest you in getting your feet wet on the topic:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22116724/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/t/what-if-bad-fat-isnt-so-bad/

 

In terms of cholesterol, more grains, more carbs, and more sugar usually increase triglycerides and can also make cholesterol particle *size* less favorable. Some people who eat low fat, higher grain have normal cholesterol but have markers for unfavorable particle size.

 

2 quick and dirty summaries, but you can dig into this much more deeply if you'd like:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35058896/ns/health-heart_health/t/bad-cholesterol-its-not-what-you-think/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35058886/ns/health-heart_health/t/small-ldl-particles-pose-biggest-risk/

Edited July 12, 2011 by Momof3littles

[melissel]

Hi Jean,

 

I think that there isn't a diet that is best for everyone. I've done what you've done - tried a variety of things. I never was super-heavy, just had more weight on than I wanted to carry. For me, protein, veggies, and occasional fruits and whole grains is what works best for me. I eat "real" food, full-fat options, but I'm satisfied. I really can't eat sugar and white flour. This way of eating gives me energy and I'm not hungry or craving cookies, ice cream, etc. Of course, I'm drinking a ton of water.

 

With the macular degeneration, I'd talk to your eye specialist or get a second opinion on the impact of eating animal fats on this condition. That might be the single issue that has to determine how you eat.

 

I hope you get some answers! I know that you need energy to manage your precious household!

 

:iagree: I don't necessarily think you need to make an active push to include the animal fats in your diet. I also do well on a high-protein diet with lots of veggies (I'm gluten intolerant though, so not too much in the way of grains). Most of my protein comes from lean chicken and lean beef. I also eat some full-fat cheese and yogurt, but not a lot. I use olive oil for most fats, but butter for a few things (frying eggs), and eat avocados and almonds. I do use coconut oil occasionally when it's called for in recipes, but I don't go out of my way to add fat to everything, even good fat.

 

IMO, a diet like Cindy described above is ideal, as long as you feel good on it. And yes, I'd look for a second opinion on the macular degeneration.

 

:grouphug:

[Carol in Cal.]

There is no diet that restricts low carb veggies. Eating a lot of those, in a significant variety, is proven helpful with macular degeneration. So that's where to start.

 

Beyond that, it varies sooooooo much.

 

But I would say that having a big, huge, 6+ cup salad every day with mild vinegar with herbs as the dressing, and some lowfat protein, instead of a meal, would be a safe bet on any diet you choose, and very good for your specific health issues as well.

[ktgrok]

Low carb doesn't have to mean tons of steak/bacon/butter. It can also mean berries and full fat greek yogurt for breakfast, a big salad with some tuna or hard boiled egg on top with an olive oil or yogurt based dressing, and some chicken with stir fried veggies for dinner. Almonds and maybe a square of dark chocolate for a snack. How much meat and fat you eat is up to your appetite. I tend more towards primal than atkins, so I eat some fruit every day, and a big salad for lunch most days, and lots of veggies with dinner. Sometimes dinner is salmon grilled, sometimes it is a big old steak, lol. And my breakfast is either a 1 minute muffin with butter and a dab of honey, or eggs, and my snack at night is berries and coconut milk or plain yogurt, with dark chocolate shavings.

 

But the science, (not medical opinion, but actual science) is behind lower carb. It doesn't have to be atkins, 20 grams or less low carb. It can be Primal Blueprint 50-150 carbs. But still, getting rid of the grains can only help.

[5kidsforME]

 

But the science, (not medical opinion, but actual science) is behind lower carb. It doesn't have to be atkins, 20 grams or less low carb. It can be Primal Blueprint 50-150 carbs. But still, getting rid of the grains can only help.

 

In fairness to Atkins, the 20 grams and lower stage is called Induction and you only have to do it for 2 weeks. You can do it much longer but they recommend you do it a minimum of 2 weeks to start with. Then you can gradually bump up your carbs.

 

You can read more on their website or get the book from your library.

[Night Elf]

Just last night, I spent a couple of hours reading up on this topic. (Not the first time, just the most recent.) I started on this board and then searched the internet. There is so much conflicting information and each person/article seems to make such a strong case for their way of thinking. I'm actually afraid to eat anything because I don't understand all of the technical jargon or reasoning behind the various lifestyle diets. Part of me wants to continue the way I'm eating because I can't figure out what might be better, and part of me wants to stop eating completely because I don't know what is good for my body! Just the whole wheat argument was boggling my brain last night! I haven't had any bread products for 2 days and I hate it, but I think it may be damaging to my weight loss.

 

I like a good salad, but 6+ cups a day? I can't even begin to wrap my mind around that. I would have to eat at least 3 salads a day to cover that much and it seems like I wouldn't have room for anything else. Although, I guess that is one way to lose weight. If I'm too busy eating salad, I won't have time for more than a few calories! Yet, I've read that not eating enough calories is damaging to weight loss.

 

Basically, this topic makes me want to scream and run in circles. :tongue_smilie:

[sunflowerlady]

I highly recommend low carb. I have been following the Atkins plan for three years now and have kept most of the weight off. :)

 

You say you have been doing low carb. Is it a specific plan? Many people think low carb=no veggies or fruits. Not true. Atkins has specific levels that you work through and gradually add in more foods.

 

Also low carb does not have to mean you need lots of fat or meats. It just means there is no need to be afraid of them.:001_smile:

[Ellie]

Low carb doesn't have to mean tons of steak/bacon/butter. It can also mean berries and full fat greek yogurt for breakfast, a big salad with some tuna or hard boiled egg on top with an olive oil or yogurt based dressing, and some chicken with stir fried veggies for dinner. Almonds and maybe a square of dark chocolate for a snack. How much meat and fat you eat is up to your appetite. I tend more towards primal than atkins, so I eat some fruit every day, and a big salad for lunch most days, and lots of veggies with dinner. Sometimes dinner is salmon grilled, sometimes it is a big old steak, lol. And my breakfast is either a 1 minute muffin with butter and a dab of honey, or eggs, and my snack at night is berries and coconut milk or plain yogurt, with dark chocolate shavings.

 

But the science, (not medical opinion, but actual science) is behind lower carb. It doesn't have to be atkins, 20 grams or less low carb. It can be Primal Blueprint 50-150 carbs. But still, getting rid of the grains can only help.

Yogurt and berries have higher carb counts than beef and fats.

 

There's nothing wrong with beef and eggs and butter. Atkins works because of the high protein and high fat, not just because it's lower in carbohydrates.

[Night Elf]

In fairness to Atkins, the 20 grams and lower stage is called Induction and you only have to do it for 2 weeks. You can do it much longer but they recommend you do it a minimum of 2 weeks to start with. Then you can gradually bump up your carbs.

 

You can read more on their website or get the book from your library.

 

Can I read this on Kindle? They do have a Kindle version, but is this the type of book that I would need to flip back and forth if I'm just reading it to get information?

[Denisemomof4]

For you I think eating a low glycemic diet would be best.

 

Let me say that I've about started a thread here a million times before. I'm so tired of reading about THE best way to eat, only to have it be only ONE opinion of MANY from so called experts. I've done tons of research on how to eat properly and the opinion that I've formed is this:

 

HEALTHY fats: this means organic, grass fed beef (NOT corn fed junk you buy in the grocery store!), elk, venison, wild boar, etc. WILD organic meats are best. Chicken, yes, even eat the fat. It's VERY healthy for you! I treally needs to be free range and organic to be healthy. A lot of junk entered our food system when raising animals on feedlots was entered into the business. I will limit my serving of high fat (chicken skin, sausage which is organic and with as natural a grown animal as possible!) to one serving per day, not a huge serving, and I won't have a high fat meat more than once or twice per week. Wild caught salmon is WONDERFUL and if you can have it a few times per week that would be perfect.

 

I would allow SMALL amounts of excellent quality butter, yogurt, etc. I buy all organic and grass fed. This is really important for anyone with health issues. Sometimes I buy raw cheeses. It's very expensive to eat this way but because I'm trying to combat mental deterioration due to several concussions, not to mention the huge dementia risk I am even without them, dh is very supportive and I keep food that's just for me in a separate container in the refrigerator.

 

I would eat as many low carb veggies as you can handle and limit fruit to two servings per day. I'd also limit excellent quality carbs to one meal per day while you're trying to lose weight, two servings per day to maintain. The carbs which would be best would be brown basmati rice, quinoa, millet, amaranth, buckwheat. Learn some new favorite recipes to share with your family. They ALL will have to get on board with a new way of eating, it won't be you eating salads while they eat pizza and corndigs KWIM? That won't work out long term!

 

If you can, juice. I'm going to start my days with warm lemon water (liver detox!), then I will have juice once or twice before lunch. I stick to mainly veggies, eggs and a small amt. of grains during the day. If I'm hungry I eat RAW nuts because the fats will help carry you and they are HEALTHY. I have only a small handful. Add avacado to your salad so the fats will help carry you.

 

Since I started to buy all natural meats (we still eat some from the store) I've learned of more and more people who lose weight simply by switching to elk, venison, etc. those with low fat. You just need to learn to cook them the right way because no fat = dry meat if not done right!

 

I've been on the quest for THE perfect diet for health for a long time. What I've written above is what I've come up with from my years of experience. I'm not sure why but once I hit 40 I started to have weight issues. Before that I was skinny. It's been a battle but I'm just not going to diet anymore: I'm going to live life well and fully and enjoy my food, making better choices.

 

Oh, one more thing! Almond or coconut flour can work if you want breaded cutlets of any type. DELICIOUS!!!

[Momof3littles]

nak-

if you are looking at studies, some things to consider:

 

-sometimes what they label as reduced carb doesn't show a strong effect, because the diet isn't really low carb. It is just moderate carbs or less than the average American consumes. Some studies label one diet as "low carb" when in reality it isn't, and then the study participants obviously don't really get the benefits or the data don't really reflect the impact of a true "low carb" diet.

 

-really look at what else is being eaten in the actual study. There was a study out a year or two ago from UNC crucifying "higher fat" diets for women. They linked the higher fat consumption to various issues (stroke, etc.). However, if you actually read the study, the women were eating "fat" in the form of pastries/baked goods, they were consuming cheetos and potato chips, etc. Those types of fats, mixed with highly refined carbs are certainly awful. No doubt about it. But saying "fat" was to blame in the study was absolutely ridiculous. They were eating a ton of carbs, yet the "fat" is what they decided to make the boogeyman.

 

-Dr. Eades has a blog and does a great job at dissecting some of the more famous studies like the China study, etc.

Edited July 12, 2011 by Momof3littles

[melissel]

I like a good salad, but 6+ cups a day? I can't even begin to wrap my mind around that. I would have to eat at least 3 salads a day to cover that much and it seems like I wouldn't have room for anything else. Although, I guess that is one way to lose weight. If I'm too busy eating salad, I won't have time for more than a few calories! Yet, I've read that not eating enough calories is damaging to weight loss.

 

For me, one good-sized salad is at least four cups. All that lettuce takes up lots of space! And I make mine with all kinds of things in it--goat cheese, avocado, olive oil and a bit of balsamic vinegar; goat cheese, sliced chicken breast, olive oil and a bit of balsamic vinegar; red peppers, cucumbers, olive oil and a bit of balsamic vinegar; peas, goat cheese, chopped pecans, olive oil and a bit of balsamic vinegar; chunks of ham and swiss, avocado, olive oil and a bit of balsamic vinegar, etc. As long as there's protein in it, the salad will comprise an entire meal for me.

 

IMO, the best diet for you is the one that makes you feel well. For some people, that's Weight Watchers style. For some, it's paleo--or South Beach or GAPS or whatever. For me, it's low, low carb, high-protein, lots of veggies and fruit. I've been juicing once a day for the last few days and have been amazed at how much energy I've had, without really even changing anything else. For others, juicing might be awful. You really have to find what works for your body.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Jean, I've been trying to lose weight for 48 weeks with no success (yes, you read that correctly). I did manage to lose 10 pounds at one point over 3 months but it was very painful doing so. Then I gained it all back because I got very sick. Now I've changed my diet to my latest incarnation and the weight is dropping off. I've only lost 5 pounds (in one week) so I hesitate to say "Eureka, I've found it!" yet, but research seems to support what I'm doing. But let me say that again: I've lost 5 pounds in one week! (This is huge for me after having spent 3 months trying to lose 10 pounds).

 

My latest eating plan - manage my blood sugar levels. I now have a glucometer, a lancet (pokey thing) and test strips. I am starting out so I'm testing my bloodsugar when I get up and 2 hours after every meal. Once I get a better sense of where my blood sugar is, I won't test so often. I've found that a low(er) carb and high(er) fat diet works for me. What I've read is that when your body releases extra insulin to handle high blood sugars, the insulin acts like a fat storer. By lowering the blood sugars, you also your body to stop storing and start using up your fat.

 

Here's a sample of what I ate yesterday:

 

Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled with pico de gallo, 1 whole wheat bagel thin spread very thinly with blackberry jam

 

Lunch: about 1 1/2 c. salad (mixed greens, feta cheese, strawberries, carrots, vinaigrette dressing), 1 oz. cheddar cheese

 

Afternoon snack: 1 square of Lindt dark chocolate, Touch of Sea Salt; 1/4 c. of dry roasted almonds

 

Dinner: skinless/boneless chicken thighs basted in lemon/agave and baked, 1/3 c. brown rice (I cannot handle any more of this), salad (mixed greens, carrots, sugar snap peas, dressing)

 

Evening snack - 2 hard boiled eggs

 

Lots of water throughout the day

 

I also exercised by gardening 30 min., doing Zumba 30 min. and a stair stepper 30 min.

[ktgrok]

Yogurt and berries have higher carb counts than beef and fats.

 

There's nothing wrong with beef and eggs and butter. Atkins works because of the high protein and high fat, not just because it's lower in carbohydrates.

 

I know there is nothing wrong with beef and eggs and butter. But the OP said she doesn't feel well eating a lot of those foods, and that's why she was not enjoying a low carb eating style. Before she heads back to low fat eating I wanted to make her aware there are other options. Primal and Paleo diets are lower carb than conventional diets, but not as low carb as Atkins. They are grain free, but allow more fruits and such. Personally I feel great on lots of meat, but the OP doesn't, so telling her to eat them doesn't really help her.

[ktgrok]

Here is info on Primal, which is basically saying, eat how our bodies are designed to eat. http://www.marksdailyapple.com//welcome-to-marks-daily-apple/

 

Think veggies, fruits, nuts, meat, and eggs.

[Sugarfoot]

I'm on page 48 of The Dukan Diet, and it advocates lots of protein for a few days, followed by lots of protein and vegetables, and always keeping to low-fat. Carbs make me feel icky. I don't like high-fat either, and I don't feel great eating that way.

 

I think you have to find what works for you in accordance with current research. Gary Taubes is fascinating. If you haven't watched his lectures on youtube, it's worth your time, for sure.

[datgh]

Basically, this topic makes me want to scream and run in circles. :tongue_smilie:

 

Just wanted you to know that I totally feel your pain! :grouphug:

[Gailmegan]

I'm with those screaming and running in circles.

 

Every "guru" has the "scientific evidence" to back up his/her particular approach. And no one agrees. Even the low-carb people can't agree with whether beans or nuts or dairy or soy are okay. You can make yourself CRAZY trying to figure out who to trust.

 

I'm with PPs that stated we all have to do what makes us feel the best. I have done various low-carb and lost weight fast, but HATED it and couldn't stay on it. I do better with a whole-foods approach: nothing processed, lots of fruits and veggies, whole-milk dairy, nuts, lean meats, some whole grains (brown rice, quinoa or sprouted grains work best for me). All eaten in moderation and with consistent exercise. It might not be a super-fast way to lose, but it's easier to maintain in the long run.

[Jami]

I'm with those screaming and running in circles.

 

Every "guru" has the "scientific evidence" to back up his/her particular approach. And no one agrees. Even the low-carb people can't agree with whether beans or nuts or dairy or soy are okay. You can make yourself CRAZY trying to figure out who to trust.

 

I'm with PPs that stated we all have to do what makes us feel the best. I have done various low-carb and lost weight fast, but HATED it and couldn't stay on it. I do better with a whole-foods approach: nothing processed, lots of fruits and veggies, whole-milk dairy, nuts, lean meats, some whole grains (brown rice, quinoa or sprouted grains work best for me). All eaten in moderation and with consistent exercise. It might not be a super-fast way to lose, but it's easier to maintain in the long run.

 

This is about how I eat. Though maybe fewer grains, sometimes a sprouted grain product or oats. I found the "Eat Clean" diet and Jillian Michaels "Mastering Your Metabolism" along with some of the paleo/primal information to be the most helpful for me. I exercise intensely (lifting weights, running sprints, some longer runs) and struggle if I don't eat enough carbs to fuel those workouts. It is a slower rate of loss, but it's all fat losses--no muscle loss because of the weight training and high protein.

[Surfside Academy]

Have you tried Weight Watchers? I lost over 50 pounds on it and it honestly wasn't too hard. There are no crazy food ratios; just a simple balanced diet along with exercise. The nice thing about WW is that it's also fairly easy to transition into a normal diet once you've lost your desired weight. I have a friend who is a lifetime member and has maintained her weight for 15 years! I, on the other hand gave gone a little offtrack! :D

[pfamilygal]

I loved the old WW. Lost 40 lbs a few yrs ago doing it. Then I had another baby and have 30 lb to lose. Went back to WW and they've changed it all up. I cannot deal with the new WW! Grr.

[Mirna05]

Atkins!

[birchbark]

Whole foods, lower carb, healthy fats. I recommend Real Food and The Schwarzbein Principle. You may also want to research coconut oil for losing weight.

[Plucky]

Hi Jean,

 

I am just on a generic low-carb diet. It is not as low as Atkins. I'm not a huge meat eater either. I have been eating cottage cheese, spinach, lots of yummy mixed veggies, string cheese, turkey slices with cream cheese rolled into it, seeds, nuts, tuna, salmon, chicken, berries, lots of eggs, etc. I had some bacon the other day, too. I'm just not a huge meat person and never have been so finding things to eat has been very interesting.

 

I'm going to start cooking actual low-carb meals today with my new cookbook. This has been a hard change for me. I was eating a ton of carbs - healthy carbs with lots of fiber, but it was giving me too many cravings and spiking my blood sugar and messing with my insulin levels. My doctor told me I needed to go low-carb to control it.

 

I'll also warn you, day three was very hard for me. My body was in shock and a mess. I was physically ill, but knew this was coming. My dr. said it would. My dh compared it too withdrawals. I don't know. I felt better the next day and ever since.

 

I'm learning right along with you. I used to be the person that poo-pooed the low-carb diet. I really feel misled by what our government has been endorsing and even the medical establishment, but I won't go on about it right now.

 

Did you know about his new study?

 

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/wellbeing/high-carbohydrate-diet-tied-to-cancer-20110616-1g4o9.html

 

I tell you, I thought I knew a lot about nutrition and feeding my own body. I didn't.

[butterflymommy]

You can experiment with different levels of carb restriction. I believe 100 grams / carbs a day is the high end of a low carb diet. The RDA is 250 g. Like you I find I feel awful on a low carb diet, I need at least 150 g to feel normal. The thing about low carb diets is that they do suppress hunger-- protein and fat naturally curb hunger so you end up eating less.

 

I wish I had an answer for you! I have read so many different theories on nutrition that seem to conflict with each other, all backed up by studies and people who swear by it. :confused: There was even a professor who lost weight on a twinkie diet-- he ate 1700 calories of twinkies a day, lost 30 pounds and all his stats improved! So I often think it boils down to calories even though there are easier/ healthier ways to go about it than others.

 

Even the "Fat Head" documentary guy (who followed gary taube's theory about low carb/ high fat/ high protein) restricted his calories to less than 2000 a day, plus he exercised.

[Quiver0f10]

Thank you all. I appreciate every reply and the links provided. You have all given me a lot ot think about!

[Jean in Newcastle]

You can experiment with different levels of carb restriction. I believe 100 grams / carbs a day is the high end of a low carb diet. The RDA is 250 g. Like you I find I feel awful on a low carb diet, I need at least 150 g to feel normal. The thing about low carb diets is that they do suppress hunger-- protein and fat naturally curb hunger so you end up eating less.

 

I wish I had an answer for you! I have read so many different theories on nutrition that seem to conflict with each other, all backed up by studies and people who swear by it. :confused: There was even a professor who lost weight on a twinkie diet-- he ate 1700 calories of twinkies a day, lost 30 pounds and all his stats improved! So I often think it boils down to calories even though there are easier/ healthier ways to go about it than others.

 

Even the "Fat Head" documentary guy (who followed gary taube's theory about low carb/ high fat/ high protein) restricted his calories to less than 2000 a day, plus he exercised.

 

My carbs have ranged in the 90 - 120g range for the time I've been managing my blood sugar. At that level, my blood sugar is normal. (I'm sure this would vary from person to person based on how sensitive you are to carbs.) Having my blood sugar normal which is what makes me feel good. And when I feel good, I eat better and exercise better. Instead of a vicious circle, it's a "virtuous circle". Right now, having to check my blood sugar gives me feedback two hours after every meal as to whether I made good choices or not. I don't have to wait for my weekly weigh-in;)

[LisaKinVA]

Overall, I would say eating whole foods as close to how God made 'em is the way to go.

 

I've lost 40 pounds in 2011. My goal right now is to maintain. I have done HCG (essentially a fast for 21-40 days). I detoxed, and now maintain eating true whole grains (we now mill at home... flour for everything from Tortillas to Pizza, muffins and bread). I eat a fair amount of protein (mostly chicken, some fish and red meat). I eat yogurt, full-fat cottage cheese, and plenty of fresh fruits and veggies (with the help of a Vitamix to make some more "fun.") We'll be adding a Juicer and a Dehydrator to my tool collection sometime in the next 12 months, to aid our efforts.

 

I have been maintaining my weight loss (effortlessly) for 3 weeks. For the first time, I can eat 3-4 servings of bread and NOT gain weight. I am not counting calories, or fat at the moment. From my past logging, I am easilly eating between 1600-2000 calories a day. I am not doing strenuous exercise, either.

 

I think the main problem with any diet, is that we view it as short term. My family's whole relationship to food had to change. The fast (whether juice fast or an HCG-type fast), helps to detox the body... and changes your pallete. Real food tastes so good... and you don't crave junk nearly as much. My husband has been on JUST our maintenance diet since January, and has lost over 30 pounds (no extra exercise). Mainly because we eliminated almost all processed foods/sugars/carbs from his diet.

 

We eat really well 6 days a week, and allow ourselves one "cheat" day a week. That is the day we have a big bowl of ice cream... or a rich dessert. Otherwise, we make lots of frozen whole-food treats in the Vitamix (family favorite is a strawberry-lemonade "sorbet.")

 

This is just what we've done. We feel it's a lifestyle change (forever). I would encourage you to watch things like: The future of food, Food, Inc., Fathead, and Fat, Sick and almost dead... Breadbeckers also have some decent nutrition classes on-line (the movies are all free on netflix).

 

Best wishes...

[Robyn]

I'm on page 48 of The Dukan Diet, and it advocates lots of protein for a few days, followed by lots of protein and vegetables, and always keeping to low-fat.

 

My MIL is having success with the Dukan diet. She has thyroid issues and has a very hard time losing weight. This is the first diet that has really worked for her.

 

Whole foods, lower carb, healthy fats. I recommend Real Food and The Schwarzbein Principle. You may also want to research coconut oil for losing weight.

:iagree:

I am a huge Nina Planck fan.

 

A great website if you are interested in cutting out grains and scaling back on carbs but still having a balanced diet is Wellness Mama. She has recipes and meal plans. There is a ton of info on the site as well.

[Cindy in C-ville]

For me, one good-sized salad is at least four cups. All that lettuce takes up lots of space! And I make mine with all kinds of things in it--goat cheese, avocado, olive oil and a bit of balsamic vinegar; goat cheese, sliced chicken breast, olive oil and a bit of balsamic vinegar; red peppers, cucumbers, olive oil and a bit of balsamic vinegar; peas, goat cheese, chopped pecans, olive oil and a bit of balsamic vinegar; chunks of ham and swiss, avocado, olive oil and a bit of balsamic vinegar, etc. As long as there's protein in it, the salad will comprise an entire meal for me.

 

.

 

Yum! Will you come make me a salad?

[OH_Homeschooler]

The "best" one is the one you can stay on, KWIM?

 

:iagree:

 

And this can change at different points in your life. I once lost a lot of weight on my own, by following a diet plan from a book then just modifying it once I "got" it. But I was single and was accountable to no one. Now with a family, I found I need more support and Weight Watchers is great for keeping me accountable. It reminds me to do the things I know I should do but are easy to put off.

 

Same with exercise. Forget when the "best" time or what the "best" exercise is, it's what you will do when you will do it.

[FaithManor]

Years ago I lost 65#s following a low fat diet. Unfortunately I ate very unhealthy low fat foods such as low fat cookies, cakes, ice cream etc. The weight dropped off because I was in my early 20’s, was nursing a baby, was walking an hour a day and working out.

 

Had a few more babies and gained a lot of weight.

 

Then, a few years ago I lost 100#s eating a high carb diet with a bit of protein thrown into the mix. I ate lots of whole grains, lots of veggies, fruits and lean proteins like beans, lentils and occasional chicken breast or fish.

 

By the time I was down 100# though my hair was falling out and I was freezing all the time. I finally figured out that it was because of the extreme low fat diet. I added in some healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds) and started feeling better. My hair grew back in.

 

Unfortunately I stopped eating this way and started eating junk food and fatty foods and put back on a good amount of the weight.

 

So here I am again trying to get healthy. I have been following a low-carb diet in order to fight off systematic Candida, but I can’t handle all the protein and fat. I just don’t feel good eating this way.

 

I was reading through a thread yesterday about diet (can’t find it now) and a lot of people mentioned how unhealthy a low fat diet is and most recommended a low-carb diet and lots of fat. I am worried about becoming diabetic so I really want to get this weight off. Adding to the confusion is that I have macular degeneration and my eye specialist told me to avoid high fat, especially animal fat, and to eat lots of fruits and veggies.

 

So I have no clue what to do now as far as changing the way I eat. Which diet is right? There was so much conflicting information when I tried searching online that I gave up in confusion.

 

Thanks if you read this far. :) and if you have any advice about how to change eatiing habits for life and not regain the weight, I would love to hear from you!

 

I don't think there is any one "magic" diet for everyone and that is something that the medical community has refused to accept for decades. People metabolize at different rates, people have differing levels of certain flora in their guts and thus digest some foods better than others, etc.

 

It sounds like you don't digest a lot of protein well. So, maybe a moderate amount of legumes, moderate amounts of grains, coconut oil and olive oil or avocados as your primary fats (coconut oil is very easily digested), and then lower carb veggies and fruits with plenty of them. There is a glycemic index which can show you the carb levels of each fruit. Tart apples, citrus, blackberries, honeydew melon, and rhubarb are all good choices for low carb count. Green veggies except sweet peas, cauliflower, salad greens, red veggies (red pepper - yum, yum), and sparingly on the carrots and probably very, very little squash or potatoes.

 

If you don't feel good with a lot of meat but want to make sure your hair doesn't fall out again, just get a bag of frozen chicken tenderloins, cook them up with a little Italian dressing, cut each one in half, re-freeze, and get out as needed for eating on salads. I love this and I feel good with this amount of chicken along with a nice leafy green/veggie salad. I find that when I eat leafy greens as opposed to cooked veggies with protein, I do much, much better. I also do very poorly on grains and sugary fruits...so I limit myself to cantelope, green apples, and citrus. Though I crave grains, I try to avoid them...I bloat badly when I eat them.

 

So find the food combos that work for you. There isn't any one diet that we can all recommend that may work for your body.

 

Faith

[LMD]

...and changes your pallete. Real food tastes so good... and you don't crave junk nearly as much. ...

 

I really agree with this. Once we cut out the sugar and refined carbs (mostly) food tasted amazing! I never liked mushrooms before - now I eat them everyday.

[melissel]

Yum! Will you come make me a salad?

 

:lol: I saw your thread about Sam's, BJ's, or Costco, and I'll also give a huge thumbs up for Costco! I buy all of those awesome salad ingredients there. Every other week, I buy a huge box of Earthbound Farms organic mixed green salad ($5 here, makes several meals for both DH and me), a package of their yummy goat cheese (which they just started selling in a two-pack of smaller logs, hooray!), a big wedge of Finlandia Swiss cheese, a bag of avocados, a bag of red peppers, Dietz & Watson natural deli ham, bags of pecans, etc.

 

So now YOU can make yummy salads too :D It really is so easy. If I didn't get that big box, I wouldn't eat as much as I do--I'm terrible at washing and prepping lettuce!

 

Definitely go with Costco...

[iona]

just :grouphug:s

[Peela]

I also feel awful on high protein/fat. I feel best on moderate everything.

 

The diet I use is the nosdiet which allows you to eat what you want to eat- so no extremes, just normal food- same as you feed your family- but creates new habits.

No sugar, no seconds, no snacks- on weekdays. Just 3 good meals a day- eating as much as you need on one plate at each meal to get you through to the next meal.

Then on weekends you can break the rules. So there is an escape valve.

It is a diet you can stay on for life because it is about creating healthy habits- so there is no rebound effect. The rebound effect is taken care of by allowing you to break the rules on S days (Saturdays and SUndays) as well as Special days (birthdays, weddings etc)..

And if you want you can also combine it with any other diet, but you don't need to. I don't except that I have my own diet fetishes. I dont like being told what to eat- I rebel!

[5kidsforME]

Can I read this on Kindle? They do have a Kindle version, but is this the type of book that I would need to flip back and forth if I'm just reading it to get information?

 

Sorry, I just saw this now!

 

I think it would befine on the Kindle. I would just print out the list of acceptable foods from the website and keep that handy. That is the only thing I go back to over and over.

[kmacnchs]

haven't read the whole thread so forgive me if i am repeating:

 

Eat to Live (Dr. Furhman)

 

basically, LOTS of veggies, a good amount of fruit, 1c beans everyday, limited meat & dairy

[Rosie_0801]

Adding to the confusion is that I have macular degeneration and my eye specialist told me to avoid high fat, especially animal fat,

 

From what I've read, in The China Study (yeah, not perfect science, but a place to start) it's the animal protein, not the fat that contributes to macular degeneration and diabetes, amongst other things.

 

Rosie

[Joyofsixreboot]

I also feel awful on high protein/fat. I feel best on moderate everything.

 

The diet I use is the nosdiet which allows you to eat what you want to eat- so no extremes, just normal food- same as you feed your family- but creates new habits.

....... I don't except that I have my own diet fetishes. I dont like being told what to eat- I rebel!

 

After seeing Peela talk about this on several threads I checked it out and have been using the principles for a month or so. It isn't like a diet. I've lost weight and I've quit obsessing about what is the 'right' diet. It works, it lets you eat what the rest of the family is having, it's not dangerous and it's a plan for forever. Thanks Peela for mentioning it.

[Quiver0f10]

From what I've read, in The China Study (yeah, not perfect science, but a place to start) it's the animal protein, not the fat that contributes to macular degeneration and diabetes, amongst other things.

 

Rosie

 

Interesting. I read the china Study years ago but I forgot about this. Thanks for the info!

[Momof3littles]

One lengthy rebuttal of the China Study here from Michael Eades.

 

http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/cancer/the-china-study-vs-the-china-study/

[NanceXToo]

I always recommend Weight Watchers.

 

1. They don't utilize "meal replacements," shakes, pills, "bars," etc- just regular food.

 

2. They don't cut out any food groups or make you eat special foods.

 

3. Like someone else said, it's just a simple healthy balanced diet if you follow it correctly.

 

4. Easy to transition into "maintenance" as you were eating regular food all along.

 

5. With their new plan, it's even better because it gets you spending those "points" on healthier foods now that all points are not created equal so to speak (and you can reach for fruit at any time without feeling like you're "wasting points" on it, which then has you feeling ok with spending more points on bigger servings at meals, which then has you feeling fuller and eating less of the "100 calorie snack pack" kind of junk for snacks.

 

6. It's a well known and pretty respected program, not just a fad, and it does work.

[Carol in Cal.]

The thing about the big salads is that they DO replace a meal.

They make you feel full on far fewer calories.

And they are so good for you that there is no diet that restricts them.

I think that having one big salad per day instead of one of the normal three meals is a no brainer if you're trying to lose weight or get more healthy.

[TrixieB]

:lol: I saw your thread about Sam's, BJ's, or Costco, and I'll also give a huge thumbs up for Costco! I buy all of those awesome salad ingredients there. Every other week, I buy a huge box of Earthbound Farms organic mixed green salad ($5 here, makes several meals for both DH and me), a package of their yummy goat cheese (which they just started selling in a two-pack of smaller logs, hooray!), a big wedge of Finlandia Swiss cheese, a bag of avocados, a bag of red peppers, Dietz & Watson natural deli ham, bags of pecans, etc.

 

So now YOU can make yummy salads too :D It really is so easy. If I didn't get that big box, I wouldn't eat as much as I do--I'm terrible at washing and prepping lettuce!

 

Definitely go with Costco...

I think you just talked me into a Costco run!