The company that has created the Atkins diet rage just filed for bankruptcy protection. At its peak, in the late 1990s, people all across North America were trying the diet out– and frankly, it was working. They were shedding pounds at a noticeable clip. At the beginning of last year, five percent of all Americans were on it. Then in the second half of 2004, Atkins’ popularity started to wane. In truth, the decline was inevitable because the diet simply isn’t the best way to lose weight. In fact, many people started noticing the pounds reappear after they stopped the diet.
Today, about one percent of Americans remain on the diet. All I know is that eating red meat, eggs, and cheese as often as once a day is not the ideal way to trim your waistline. Avoiding carbohydrates by never eating bread, pasta, or potatoes is also not ideal, and it’s unfortunate that carbs have uniformly been put in a negative light. You should know that carbs are critical for producing energy in the body; in fact, carbs are the body’s favorite source of energy. Carbs power your mind as well as every muscle and system in your body.
The Atkins diet, the South Beach diet, any quick fix diets, and any weight loss drinks may produce some improvements, but they shouldn’t be considered as the best approach to weight loss. It’s too easy to lose vital nutrients by only eating certain things. What I tell my patients who are interested in shedding pounds–and what I practice myself–is the simplest and easiest approach to weight loss is healthy eating and healthy living.
If you are setting out to lose pounds, first and foremost you need to avoid saturated fats and cholesterol. First, cut down on animal products. In their place, add more vegetables and fruit. Produce is stocked with vital nutrients and it doesn’t add to your waistline. The other two healthiest foods in the world are whole grains and legumes. You don’t have to avoid bread products; just choose those made with whole grain. Legumes are any beans and peas, which are also brimming with valuable nutrients that boost your body’s health. Plus they are filling and offer protein, so you won’t feel hungry soon after eating.
Throw into this mix a reasonable amount of exercise every day. Even a half-hour brisk walk will do the trick. The key to losing weight is to burn off the calories that you eat. Losing weight doesn’t have to mean following a strict diet regimen; it just means making healthy food selections at the grocery store and maintaining an exercise-friendly attitude.
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Tags: Cholesterol, exercise
