The Midlife Miracle Diet is a diet designed by author and dietary guru Adele Puhn. The diet aims to improve middle-aged adults' metabolism, energy and weight by reducing carbohydrate intake and balancing blood sugar levels. Although research regarding the effectiveness of the diet is lacking, it may provide benefits. For best results, discuss your dietary needs and goals with a qualified medical or dietary professional before attempting weight loss.
Function
The Midlife Miracle Diet guides middle-aged readers toward blood sugar management, improved dietary habits and weight loss. According to Puhn, the diet also enhances energy and can result in improved cholesterol and blood pressure levels. The diet offers meal suggestions and may help you make improvements on your current diet.
Basic Premise
The Midlife Miracle Diet promotes gradual reduction of carbohydrate intake. Gradually, protein and vegetables replace various carbohydrate-containing meals and snacks. Protein and vegetables reap the greatest emphasis throughout the diet, though all foods are allowed in moderation and in proper balance with other foods. Protein of some kind is encouraged at breakfast and with each meal and snack throughout the day. Since protein has a nominal effect on blood sugar levels, the diet claims that your blood sugar levels, energy and appetite will improve. Puhn also encourages regular physical activity for improved metabolism, weight and wellness.
Benefits
The Midlife Miracle Diet encourages intake of all foods, in appropriate amounts. Since your favorite treat foods can be enjoyed, you may feel less deprived than you might on a conventional weight loss diet. The diet's emphasis on blood sugar balance can provide numerous benefits. According to research published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" in 2007, diets geared toward blood sugar control, also called low-glycemic diets, can improve body weight and triglyceride levels in overweight adults more effectively than a low-fat diet. Over the course of 18 months, dieters involved in the study who consumed a low-glycemic diet also demonstrated greater body fat percent decreases and greater improvements in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
Risks/Challenges
The Midlife Miracle Diet encourages reduced carbohydrate intake, which can lead to damaging health effects. Punn suggests eliminating grains from your breakfast meal during a particular phase, which is not likely necessary or helpful. According to the American Heart Association, diets low in grains, particularly cereal grains, are often deficient in B vitamins and fiber. In addition, limiting carbohydrates can lead to increased food cravings. The Midlife Miracle Diet offers little guidance regarding dietary fats, which are an important aspect of nutrition and play a significant role in weight management. Although the diet presents itself as a lifestyle, it offers specific guidelines and limitations similar to numerous popular diets. Puhn also suggests and sells dietary supplements, which, according to the Mayo Clinic, often cause adverse side effects; in addition, optimum sources of nutrients for healthy individuals are whole foods, not supplements.
Suggestions
If you are approaching or have reached mid-life and sense changes in your energy, metabolism and weight, you may find the Midlife Miracle Diet beneficial. Although not all diets work for everyone, the diet does promote various healthy guidelines, such as reducing intake of simple sugars, aiming for a balanced diet and exercising regularly. For best results, seek doctor's approval and guidance before partaking in the Midlife Miracle Diet to ensure that it suits your needs and preferences.
References
- "Midlife Miracle Diet"; Adele Puhn; December 2002
- American Heart Association: Carbohydrate Addiction
- Mayo Clinic: Nutrition Verses Dietary Supplements
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Effects of a Low--Glycemic Load vs Low-Fat Diet in Obese Young Adults; Cara B. Ebbeling, PhD et al.; 2007
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