Diet Discovery

I am interested in starting the New Direction weight loss program which uses ketosis in order to maximize weight loss. By doing so and maintaining healthy eating habits, what is the likelihood of regaining weight?
The program is carefully monitored by nurse practitioners and my family doctor through blood tests and ekgs.

Quick weight loss does not work on any diet. The weight always comes back plus more. If you reduce your caloric intake by 500 calories per day you will lose one pound per week and most of the weight will not come back.

What the heck are a bunch of diets..I want to go on one of them, which one should i use?Results?Way to lose weight would be helpful too!

The South Beach Diet is a fine way of eating if you are close to normal weight and are not addicted to carbs. South Beach allows a higher carb level but fewer protein & fat choices (if you would rather eat beans than beef, this may be a better choice). Atkins (and I) believe saturated fat is a much more healthful fat for fueling the body. If you lower carbs you have to increase fats to fuel the body.

Eating carbs while trying to lose body fat is terribly inefficient. When in glycolysis (burning glucose as fuel) you have to lower your calories (which slows your metabolism) & exercise heavily to deplete your glycogen stores before burning body fat.

The core of Atkins program is converting the body from glycolysis (burning glucose as fuel) to ketosis (burning fat as fuel). Dietary fat levels need to be at >65% of total calories, if not, the body will still remain in glycolysis by converting 58% of excess protein into glucose (via gluconeogenesis).

It takes minimum of 3 days to convert a body to ketosis, (but only one bite to convert back to glycolysis). People feel sluggish the first week but most feel better than ever thereafter.

Simple carbohydrates (sugar, flour, bread, cereal, pasta, potatoes, rice) trigger insulin which can store the calories eaten into fat. The more protein the more the fat burning hormone glucagon is released. The more carbohydrate the more the fat storage hormone insulin is released.

Simple carbs are addictive & can be disastrous to health. The best way to break the addiction is NO carbs for 3 days. Make a huge batch of deviled eggs, eat one every time you want "something" – have huge omelets with bacon, sausage, peppers, mushrooms & cheese. Pork chops smothered with peppers, mushrooms & cheese – pork rinds & dip or tuna/chicken/turkey/egg salad – steaks – a huge sugar free cheese cake. Eat so much you won’t feel deprived of anything. By the 4th day, the addiction will be gone & you can start making healthy choices.

High insulin levels promote inflammation, weight gain, hunger & unbalance other hormones. Controlling insulin levels will balance out other hormones & allow human growth hormone (HGH) to be produced naturally so lean muscle will be gained even without exercise. Any exercise will greatly increase muscle mass with high HGH levels.

You can lose more body fat eating protein & fat (don’t eat protein alone) than not eating AT ALL. To lose weight fast, eat all you want, but nothing but meat, eggs, healthy oils, mayo, butter & half an avocado a day (for added potassium). Keep the calories high & the fat percentage high, at least 65% of calories. Green vegetables & some cheese will continue weight loss but at a slower pace.

The first 2 weeks eat several cups a day of (mostly) lettuce & celery, cucumbers, radishes, mushrooms, peppers & more variety of vegetables thereafter – add 5 grams per day additional every week (20 grams day first 2 weeks, 25grams 3rd week, 30grams 4th week etc) til you gain weight, then subtract 10grams. That will be your personal carb level (everyone is different & depends on how active you are.)

Start with meat, fats & salads for 2 weeks and then slowly add in more green veg, wk4 fresh cheeses, wk5 nuts & seeds, wk6 berries, wk7 legumes, wk8 other fruits, wk9 starchy veg, wk10 whole grains. You will learn how your body reacts to different foods.

The first week is just water weight but fat is lost thereafter if you keep your calories high enough. Otherwise the body will strip it’s own lean tissue for nutrition. Although that may look great on a scale it will make it MUCH easier to accumulate fat in the future (since all that pesky lean tissue burning up calories will be gone). The body won’t release fat stores if you lower calories below what it needs. It will slow metabolism to compensate & store every spare ounce as fat. If you continue lowering calories, it will continue lowering the set point, til it can survive off nothing & store fat on anything. The body will only release it’s fat stores if it knows there is plenty of nutritious food.

Ground flax seed (2 Tbsp) 1/4 cup water, artificial sweetener, mix in a raw egg – let sit 10 min. to absorb liquid, put some cream cheese in the middle & nuke 2 minutes. Suggested for daily fiber needs.

As long as you have <9grams carbs per hour, you will maintain insulin control & shouldn’t gain weight, no matter the calories. Many people gain weight on high carb, do low carb to lose weight & then are shocked when they return to high carb & gain weight. Many people can return to moderate carb levels but very few can really eat all they want of sugar & maintain weight or health.

vegetarianism, pescatarianism? atkins, south beach, or simple healthy eating, everything-in-appropriate-amounts diet?

thaaaaanks:]. and FYI i am trying to lose weight in a way which i can stay by.

I advocate a high fat diet, more commonly referred to as a low carb diet or a high protein diet which is actually a misnomer. Though the carbohydrates are low, the protein is only a little higher than adequate but the magic happens in this plan with the fat.

Normalizing blood pressure, blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, triglyercerides and hormone levels are all bonus features of doing a low carb way of eating. Atkins program was a cardiologist’s health plan easier sold as a "diet" (since weight loss was just a side benefit).

Glucose is the bodies preferred fuel (if you want to get technical, if actually burns alcohol most efficiently, but that doesn’t make it any healthier for the body than carbs), the body can convert 100% of carbs, 58% of protein & 10% of dietary fat into glucose. The body can also be fueled by fat (dietary fat & fat cells) but only in the absence of carbs. Your brain actually prefers to be fueled by ketones (part of the fat burning process), only the heart requires glucose, but glucose can be easily converted from fat stores or excess protein if needed or dietary fat.

Your body requires fats, you will die without them. Your body requires protein, you will die without them. You will die if you eat protein without fat. You do not require carbohydrates. The body can manufacture all it needs from the protein/fat combination.

High fat, adequate protein and very low carbs will after 3 days convert your body to burning fat as fuel (ketosis). While in ketosis you will burn dietary fat and if dietary fat is more than sufficient, body fat directly. High calories will keep the metabolism at maximum fat burning capabilities.

Eating carbohydrates while trying to lose body fat is terribly inefficient. When in glycolysis (burning glucose as fuel) you have to lower your calories (which slows your metabolism) and exercise heavily to deplete your glycogen stores before burning body fat.

A calorie is not a calorie. The body does not follow logical mathematical equations. Metabolism is controlled by nutrition. You can’t eat 600/1200/2000 calories of fruit (pick a number, it doesn’t matter – only the amount of fat stored changes) , your body will treat it as being starved (which it is, starved of nutrition) and will shut down your metabolism as if you’re eating nothing, but will store every possible ounce as fat. Inversely, you wont gain weight on 4000 or more calories of fat & protein (if fat is 65% of calories) because insulin (the fat storage hormone) is not activated.

Your body won’t release fat stores if you lower calories below what it needs. It will slow your metabolism to compensate & store every spare ounce as fat. If you continue lowering your calories, it will continue lowering that set point, til you can survive off nothing and store fat on anything. The body will only release it’s fat stores if it knows there is plenty of food. Read the diet boards about the young girls eating 600 calories a day for months (but fruit is so healthy!) & not losing weight and considering lowering their calories further. Sure they lose some weight at first but it’s water weight & lean tissue but their bodies become fat storage machines.

Although it is completely possible to live on a fat/protein only diet for long term (as proven by research done in a hospital setting) it becomes boring fairly quickly. Luckily many, many vegetables and some fruits, nuts and seeds are low in carbs and greatly expand the diet. Most long term low carbers eat as many, if not more non starchy vegetables than vegetarians.

Detractors of the high fat, high protein Atkins diet claim that Dr. Dean Ornish’s low-fat vegetarian diet as the optimal diet. I believe that Atkins & Ornish’s plans are not that incompatible, they both promote ultimate health as their goal. They both agree that the major problem occurs when you mix carbs with fat. They both agree that highly refined non nutritional carbs with man made fats (trans fats, hydrogenated fats) in mass quantities produces the current obesity/health degradation epidemic that is of global concern.

Ultimately, your diet needs to be what can you live with? I personally wouldn’t be happy living without meat, fat, cheese. I like not having calorie restrictions. It’s easier for me to do without than to do "in moderation".

I made a south beach diet recipe, Egg Muffins. But i have little money to splurge on some low fat/ non fat items. So I used a tablespoon 2 percent milk, and a tiny bit of Medium Cheddar cheese shredded and diced onions.
Should I throw out the rest of the muffins? Or is this a tiny cheat I shouldn’t worry about and move on?

I hate to be petty but bad apples spoil my opinion – that is, you may be ok cheating a little, but so many people dress up what they consider an acceptable cheat – a girl I saw on TV was on atkins but kept eating fruit saying "well whoever said that fruit makes you fat, I dont care what they say" – when it was a STUPI STUPID idea since it interupts ketosis (the process of using fat as a primary fuel source since carbs/sugars are unavoidable.

So, with the above rant in mind, if you do not do what they say, do not say "I am on the south beach diet", you are not, you are on a broken version of it, that may, or may not, work.

So – I know this answer may make you roll your eyes and say "err, answer the question" but my point is, stuff impacts more than people know, the diets are designed with will power in mind, but they are also designed with carb/fat/protein in levels in mind – regularly altering these even slightly will likely have effects on the diet. So with that considered, I would throw away the muffins 🙁

I’ve heard that people on low-carb diets start out feeling without energy, because the body is still accustomed to providing energy through glycolycis, but later in the diet have plenty of energy to spare. If it’s not glycolysis that’s providing the energy(how could it be, where is the glucose) then what is it?

Glucose provides quick energy but dietary fats provide sustained energy. Coconut oil if the only fat that provides quick energy just like a carb but without insulin or blood sugar reactions.

The core of Atkins program is converting the body from glycolysis (burning glucose as fuel) to ketosis (burning fat as fuel). Dietary fat levels need to be at >65% of total calories, if not, the body will still remain in glycolysis by converting 58% of excess protein into glucose (via gluconeogenesis).

Glucose is the bodies preferred fuel (if you want to get technical, it actually burns alcohol most efficiently, but that doesn’t make it any healthier for the body than carbs), the body can convert 100% of carbs, 58% of protein & 10% of dietary fat into glucose. The body can also be fueled by fat (dietary fat & fat cells) but only in the absence of carbs. Your brain actually prefers* to be fueled by ketones (part of the fat burning process), it does require glucose also, but glucose can be easily converted from excess protein if needed or dietary fat.

I think that ketosis is not the back up fuel plan. I think ketosis was meant to be primary fuel plan, that is easily overridden (one bite) by ingestion of carbs (or alcohol). The body is rarely allowed to become fully fat adapted, especially in these days of people using processed food formula to feed infants instead of breast milk. Carbs were never supposed to be available year around, only seasonally during harvest. The body can easily handle carbs even in excess occasionally, just not continuously. The body can also be fueled by protein (via gluconeogenesis) but long term protein synthesis creates the byproducts of ammonia & nitrogen. The body can easily handle clearing out these byproducts but if gluconeogenesis is used as the primary fuel source for long term, the body can be overwhelmed (poisoned) by the excess ammonia & nitrogen. It’s all contingent on balance but the body functions at optimal levels on more dietary fat & suboptimal levels on less dietary fat.

The body always has the ability to use ketone bodies as fuel. Even people in glycolysis (except those that are hyperinsulimic) burn some fat as they sleep, this helps preserve glycogen stores. Using fat as fuel & being fueled by fat are the difference in the body becoming fully fat adaped to being fueled by ketone bodies & glycerol.

This study done on athletes in training during the conversion process says that after one has become fat adapted, endurance exercise performance returns to normal.:

http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/1/1/2

I highly recommend low carb way of eating for optimal health. It takes 3-6 weeks for the body to become fully fat adapted to perform athletically but the body does convert *if* carb cycling is not used. Athletes studied said their performance was effected the first week or so but recovered to full athletic ability within a few weeks.

For bodybuilders, low carb creates lean tissues even without working out, working out should create even more muscle mass. When insulin dominates the blood stream, testosterone & human growth hormone (HGH) aren’t produced, which are both anabolic hormones & contribute to muscle growth. Excess protein is converted to glucose *unless* dietary fat levels are greater than 80% of dietary calories, then I believe that excess protein is forced to create lean tissues (just as excess carbohydrates are forced to create fat tissues).

Marathon athletes aren’t restricted to glycogen stores. Athletes in glycolysis (using glucose for fuel) have to "carb load" to fill glycogen stores but athletes in ketosis (using fat for fuel) don’t have these restrictions. A normal weighted person has enough fat stores to run for more than 200 hours – glycogen stores only last a few hours before being depleted & the athlete "hits the wall"

Carb cycling programs never allow the body to become fully fat adapted, which I believe takes 3-6 weeks. The metabolism just shuts down & awaits a return to glycolysis.

^ In glycolysis, the brain requires 120g of glucose per day, but the brain gets its energy from ketone bodies when insufficient glucose is available. After blood glucose is lowered for 3 days, the brain gets 30% of its energy from ketone bodies. After 40 days, this goes up to 70% (during the initial stages the brain does not burn ketones, since they are an important substrate for lipid synthesis in the brain). In time the brain reduces its glucose requirements from 120g to 10g per day (with ketones & glycerol providing the difference).

Ketones have been described as "magic" in their ability to increase metabolic efficiency, while decreasing production of free radicals, the damaging byproducts of normal metabolism. The heart and brain operate 25% more efficiently using ketones as a source of energy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketone

Hi, I know that spot reduction is near impossible and the way to make lower belly fat go away is to diet and exercise to lower your bodies overall body fat. Does diet factor into losing lower belly fat? Seem to me that it shouldn’t. How can some foods biochemically affect only the belly fat. I have a degree in biology so please try to explain in a way that follows scientific logic, thanks

When losing belly fat and love handles, 20% comes from exercise, and 80% comes from diet. You basically need to get your body into a form of ketosis which comes entirely from diet. You prevent glucose consumption, and your brain requires glucose to survive, so your body enters a state of ketosis which takes your fat (in this case your belly fat and love handles), and turns them into ketone bodies and a glucose substitute for your brain. Your body uses these ketone bodies which came from your fat for energy. 20% is from exercise because you need to remind your body that it needs the energy from your fat, plus when you exercise you use up any few calories of glucose you ingested making sure that your body uses your fat stores. When your belly fat and love handles are gone (basically you have like 7% body fat) you must incorporate glucose foods into your diet (but gradually and in small portions otherwise you damage your health). If the fat is still there keep going until its all gone. It’s that simple.

The healthy, yet high carb, traditional Japanese style diet would be contraindicated under the Atkins plan.  A major problem, in our view, is that the most popular of reduced carbohydrate approaches, the Atkins diet, is an ad lib diet with recommendations only to minimize carbohydrate intake .

One claim that Atkins makes is that his diet is good for the heart.  Atkins recommended “vegetarian sources of fat and protein,” not how much. Atkins advocated his diet for more than 30 years and stated that more than 60,000 patients treated at his center have used his diet as their primary protocol. However, he never published any study in which people who used his program were monitored over a period of several years.

Atkins relies heavily on proteins and fats, along with carbohydrates that are rich in nutrients. The idea is to strictly reduce the amount of non-nutritious carbohydrates you consume.

I know a couple of people who gave up the Atkins Diet just because he says to stop drinking coffee! I am telling you – coffee will help your weight loss efforts. The Atkins diet claims to clear up all manner of ailments, but the bottom line is these diets are lacking in nutrients essential for good health and the high level of protein puts a huge strain on your kidneys.

Eating less than 40 grams of carbohydrate a day may induce ketosis. And we mentioned the underdeveloped world, [which] tends to be low-fat, high-carbohydrate, also does well. Choosing to go the low or no carb route could lead to missing the benefits of whole grain, the other carbohydrates.

When carbohydrates are reintroduced in the diet, the water weight is regained. There is no quick and easy weight to lose weight; it’s basically a question of calories taken in versus calories burned.

Most dieters do not understand the potentially dangerous side effects of low-/no-carbohydrate diets. A low carbohydrate diet can lead to constipation, which slows weight loss. In addition, adequate fiber is beneficial in reducing more serious types of health problems, such as colon cancer and cholesterol levels.

Despite their popularity and the concern of some in the medical community little evidence exists on the efficacy and safety of low-carbohydrate diets.

Also, several specific health concerns are associated with a diet that places such a heavy emphasis on the consumption of protein and the restriction of carbohydrate. Consuming too much protein places extra stress on the liver and kidneys because they have to metabolize and excrete more than normal amounts of waste products.. Due to extensive publicity, low carb diets have become increasingly popular. However there is considerable ambiguity over exactly what is low carbohydrate.

Sandy Klocinski

Almost everyone who has tried to lose weight has come across the numerous low carb diets.  Atkins, High Protein, and the Hollywood diet are some of the most popular ones.  So the question is do low carb diets work and are they healthy?  There are side effects associated with low carb diets that you need to be aware of before you begin.  In this article I will show you the truth about low carb diets.

Will you lose weight by reducing your carbohydrate intake?  Yes, but the reason behind the weight loss isn’t very healthy.  When you greatly reduce your body will start to use its fat and protein reserves to create energy for the body.  While this does burn up fat there is another not so pleasant side effect.  Not every part of your body can use fat for energy, the brain for example, so you produce ketone bodies.  These will fuel the brain but create something called a state of ketosis.  Your breath can take on a smell like nail polish.  Fatigue and nausea are also common side effects.

A low carb diet usually has you greatly reduce, if not stop all together, the eating of carbohydrates.  This includes most grains as well as many fruits, vegetables, nuts.  In place of these foods you are encouraged to eat more meat and dairy products, which are generally high in fat, calories, and cholesterol.  Since weight is being lost many people forget that fat and cholesterol is still very unhealthy.  No matter what your weight in excess fat and cholesterol will clog your arteries, and can lead to heart disease.  In the long run it can be quite dangerous.

While it is possible to lose a small amount of weight with a low carb diet it is definitely not a good long term program.  Most of the weight loss is from lean muscle and water weight.  Yes you do lose some fat but in the process you are losing important muscle as well.  Muscle tissue helps burn calories so you are setting yourself for quick weight gain down the road.  Over time your body can actually start processing carbohydrates differently.  If you resume a normal diet the carbs you eat may make you retain more water.

Another major factor in the low carb diet is the lack a vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients.  So many good sources have been cut out you will need many expensive supplements to make up for it.  It’s much easier to just eat a banana or apple, and cheaper too.  But on some of these diets that may not be an option.

So, what is the truth about low carb diets?  Can they help you lose weight?  Yes, if you need to drop a few pounds quick.  But I would strongly recommend against a low carb diet for any long term weight loss.  You may lose weight but is that worth feeling unhealthy and putting your body at risk?

Michael Marquette

Nearly anyone who has tried to lose weight has at some point come across the numerous low carb diets. Atkins, protein, and the Hollywood diet are some of the most common ones. So what are the facts about low carb diets, and are they healthy? There are side effects commonly linked with low carb diets that you need to know before you begin. In this article provide you with some facts about low carb diets.

The first question is will you lose weight by reducing your carbohydrate consumption? Yes, but the reason behind the weight loss is not very healthy. When you greatly reduce your body’s carbohydrate intake you will start to use its fat and protein reserves to create energy. While this does begin burning fat there is an unpleasant side effect. Not every part of your body is capable of using fat for energy, such as the brain for example, so you produce something called ketone bodies. These fuel the brain but create something called a state of ketosis. Your breath may take on a smell like that of nail polish. Fatigue and nausea are also common side effects.

A low carb diet will usually have you greatly reduce, if not cut out completely, the consumption of carbohydrates. This includes most grains as well as many fruits, vegetables, nuts. In place of these types of food you are encouraged to eat more meat and dairy products, which are generally high in fat, calories, and cholesterol. While you may be losing weight, excessive fat and cholesterol are still very unhealthy. No matter what your weight may be fat and cholesterol will still clog your arteries, and can contribute to heart disease. In the long run it can be very dangerous.

While it is common to lose small amounts of weight with a low carb diet it is definitely not a good solution for the long term. Most of the weight that is lost comes from lean muscle and water weight. Yes you can lose some fat but in the process you are losing important muscle mass also. Muscle tissue will help burn calories so you are setting yourself for quick weight gain if you stop the diet. Over time your body can actually start processing carbohydrates differently, so if you resume a normal diet the carbs you eat may make you retain more water.

Another problem with the low carb diet is the lack of vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients. So many good sources have been cut out you may need many expensive supplements to make up for it. It’s much easier to just eat fruits and veggies, and it’s cheaper too. But on some of these diets that may not be an option.

So, now that you have these facts about low carb diets hopefully you are not as interested in one? Can they help you lose weight? Yes, if you need to drop a few pounds quickly. But I strongly recommend against a low carb diet for any long term weight loss program. You may lose a little weight but is that worth feeling unhealthy and putting your body at risk?

Michael Marquette

This article should help you to answer whether the Medifast diet is right for you. This can be completed by discussing feelings, opinions and common experiences with one another. This Can be completed by discussing feelings, opinions and common experiences with one another. Should you be pondering this diet as a way to shed pounds over the holiday season, this article should aid you in making your choice.

This story will help you with your decision if you are considering this diet as a solution over the holiday season. The Medifast diet plan forces your body into a metabolic state known as ketosis. Your body is tricked into turning on itself, and it begins burning fat reserves. This is why you eat so frequently when following this diet. It maintains your metabolism on a regular basis and burns fat for an extended time period which is more than you can do with a lot of fad diets.

An excellent way to lose weight and keep it off for a long time is to follow the Medifast diet. Not only will it help you shed pounds, it can also alleviate certain health problems such as diabetes .In order to preserve their health, those with diabetes usually need to reduce their weight. But as a diabetic, you also need to eat particular types of foods, due to the manner in which your body manufactures insulin, making it a challenge to decide on the optimum way for you to reduce your weight.

This diet has a large array of complete meal plans and an eager support network. You will probably find that losing weight with Medifast is much simpler than any diet you have tried in the past. If it is time to get rid of the excess pounds, make sure to research information beforehand. Ensure that you talk with your doctor before diving into a finer lifestyle for you and your family\’s future well-being.

According to the Medifast organization, it is normal to shed 2-5 pounds each week by using the popular 5 plus 1 plan. In one month\’s time, you could lose a minimum of 8 pounds or a maximum of 20 pounds. On the lower end of the scale, you will shed about 8 pounds. Whatever the case may be, these numbers prove that you can be successful with this diet. This could have an enormous positive impact on large and morbidly obese individuals.

The majority of people will be very pleased with these results. If you shed “merely” eight pounds per month every month, it would end up to 48 pounds in half a years\’ time or 96 pounds in a year. This can help overweight and evenly morbidly obese people change their life. As far as this author is concerned, Medifast is the best diet and weight loss system; it is the easiest, most convenient, and most effective program to use. Those that have struggled with obesity and extra pounds have turned to it as a way of life.

John Darby
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/evaluating-the-medifast-diet-program-695776.html