Meat & Protein Diets

Several weight-loss diets emphasize protein as the main nutrient. Some of these diets are controversial because they limit or exclude many healthy foods. It is important to eat a balanced diet with the recommended daily amount of protein for tissue renewal and growth, say Gordon Wardlaw, Ph.D., and Anne Smith, Ph.D., R.D., L.D, in their 2009 book "Contemporary Nutrition." According to the Food Board's 2002 dietary reference intake report, about 10 to 35 percent of your daily diet should be protein.

Atkins Diet

The Atkins Diet was developed by Dr. Robert Atkins, M. D., in the 1970s. It is outlined in his book "Diet Revolution." The official website of the Atkins Diet makes the claim that carbohydrate foods are too often stored as fat. The main goal of this diet, and other protein diets, is for dieters to reduce carbohydrate consumption to burn more fat and lose weight. Critics of the diet suggest there may be health risks associated with consuming mainly protein, and that the diet is low in fiber and too high in fat.

Protein Power Diet

The Protein Power Diet was developed by Michael R. Eades, M. D., and Mary Dan Eades, M. D. Together they published "Protein Power" in 1997. The authors believe high carbohydrate diets have been unsuccessful in conquering dieters' obesity. They believe that a high protein diet can actually help your body maintain a healthy weight, and help to reduce cholesterol and improve diabetes.

South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet was developed by Arthur Agatston, M.D., and has become a popular weight-loss diet. As a cardiologist, Dr. Agatston originally developed the diet to help patients with heart disease that resulted from obesity. The South Beach Diet drastically cuts carbohydrate consumption initially, and once weight loss is achieved, healthy carbohydrates are allowed back into the diet.

Stillman Diet

Known as "The Doctor's Quick Weight Loss Diet," the Stillman Diet, developed by Irwin Maxwell Stillman, M.D., in 1967, is an extremely restricted diet. It is only meant to be followed for short-term weight loss. On this diet, you only eat meat, fish, eggs and cheese, and you are allowed to drink plain coffee, tea and water. A 1974 research article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, warns of increased blood cholesterol as a result of following this diet.