Health expert advises using Atkins diet in moderation
5/18/2003 5:00 AM By: Medstar
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One health professional suggests that although low carbohydrate/high protein diets are successful in helping people lose weight, people should beware of extreme forms of these diets.
In 2002, the diets attracted many loyal followers throughout the country.
The diets advocate eating foods such as steak and bacon for breakfast and a couple of burger patties for lunch.
"I don't think any health professional, whether it's a physician, a registered dietitian, would advocate the extreme high protein diets that have been popular the last few years," Althea Zanecosky, RD, said. "However, many people have had successful weight loss on those diets."
New studies prove that many people can lose more weight on the low carbohydrate/high protein diet than by changing their eating habits to include mostly low-fat foods.
However, health experts warn that these diets may be too extreme.
"The body needs a certain amount of carbohydrate every day for the brain to function and the super high protein diets really don't meet the minimum quota," Zanecosky said. "Studies have shown that the average adult needs about 400 calories worth of carbohydrate a day. Four hundred calories is a hundred grams."
The popular low carbohydrate/high protein Atkins diet only allows 20 grams of protein at the beginning.
Zanecosky advocates moderation. She said that people can use the Atkins diet principle to lose weight, yet still consume the minimum quota of carbohydrates that studies have shown people's bodies need.
"Lunch might be easy in terms of taking a piece of boneless chicken or ordering a grilled chicken sandwich and taking the roll off, combining it with a salad," Zanecosky said.
Zanecosky suggested substituting fruit and cheese for the bacon and eggs the Atkins diet allots for breakfast.
For dinner, she suggested eating a heart-healthy fish like salmon, paired with lots of colorful vegetables and a small serving of rice.
These meals are still low enough in carbohydrates to promote weight loss, Zanecosky said. She believes they also consist of a healthy nutritional balance.
"There is a moderate mid-ground that many of us can strive to get at during the time that we're trying to reach weight loss, skewing the scales slightly towards higher protein has been a successful way for many people," Zanecosky said.
Low carbohydrate/high protein diets are attracting so much attention that a brand new, larger group will test the Atkins diet during a year long study.
The study is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.