Protein-based diets can help you lose weight. Most protein-based diets are low-carbohydrate and are considered to be "muscle-sparing." A muscle-sparing diet preserves lean body mass while burning body fat as your primary source of fuel. Dr. Robert Atkins says in his book, "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution," that when you restrict carbohydrates and eat mostly protein and fat, your body achieves a state of "ketosis.. Ketosis means your body is using its stored fat as fuel. Another reason why protein diets work for weight loss is an evolutionary one. Dr. Michael Eades, co-author of "Protein Power Lifeplan," says that early humans were hunter-gatherers who lived primarily on meat, animal fat and whatever in-season plant foods they could forage. Your body may be genetically programmed to thrive on a high-protein diet, so eating in that manner may result in weight loss.
PaNu -- Paleolithic Nutrition
PaNu is a free protein diet that can be found on the PaNu website. Dr. Kurt G. Harris, a neuroradiologist, created the diet, which is based in clinical nutrition, evolutionary biology and paleoanthropology. The diet recommends that you consume foods similar to what early man would have eaten. The primary source of nutrition in the PaNu diet is animal fats and proteins with some seasonal plant-based foods. The diet also suggests avoiding any foods that wouldn't have been available to early humans, including dairy products, grains, sugar and processed foods.
Atkins Diet
The Atkins diet is based on eating animal fat and proteins, with some fruits and vegetables. While there is a book that you can buy, the diet has been around since the 1970s and all of the information can be found on the Atkins website. While the Atkins site recommends it nutritional products, there is no need to buy pre-made, low-carb foods. The diet is based on achieving and staying in ketosis via carbohydrate restriction. It has three phases. In the initial "induction" phase, you eat only animal protein, fat, limited amounts of full-fat dairy and about two cups of leafy greens daily for two weeks. In the ongoing weight loss phase, you incrementally increase your carbohydrate intake by adding vegetables and berries. The final phase is maintenance, a way of eating that you follow for the rest of your life to maintain weight loss.
Low Carb Diet
The Low Carb Diet is a complete online resource that helps you lose weight by eating high-protein, low-carbohydrate foods. Included with the Low Carb Diet are free recipes, support forums, seven-day meal plans and carbohydrate counters. There is also a section that outlines and analyzes each of the major high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets. You can design your own high-protein weight loss diet based solely on the free information on the website.
References
- "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution;" Robert C. Atkins, M.D.; 2002
- "Protein Power Lifeplan;" Michael R. Eades, M.D. and Mary Dan Eades, M.D.; 2000
- PaNu Paleolithic Nutrition: Duplicating the Evolutionary Metabolic Milieu; Kurt G. Harris, M.D.
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