Weight Loss Diet - Which Is Best?

What’s the best way to lose weight and prevent heart disease and diabetes? The finding by Stanford University below seems to suggest that a low fat diet isn’t the best diet for the obese.

The recent Stanford study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association compared the Atkins diet (very low in carbohydrates), the Zone diet (low in carbohydrates), the Ornish diet (very low in fat and high in carbohydrates), and the U.S. government guidelines (low in fat, high in carbohydrates). The 311 subjects of the one-year study were overweight or obese premenopausal women. The researchers discovered that the Atkins diet was the most effective for weight loss and reduction of body fat percentage. But they also discovered that those who stayed on the high-protein, healthy-fat, and low-carbohydrate Atkins diet also improved their cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels more than those on the other diets.

This is contrary to those who tout the benefits of a low-fat diet.

Keep in mind, however, that there are two common misconceptions about the Atkins diet. First, it is not a “no” carbohydrates diet. The idea is to consume whole foods and low-glycemic carbohydrates in place of refined carbs, starches, and foods with added sugars. Second, not all meat is created equal. As much as possible, you want to choose meat from animals that are raised on their natural diet (like grass-fed - not corn-fed - cattle) and without antibiotics and hormones.

Follow this diet, and not only will you gradually get closer to your ideal weight… you will enjoy better health too.