If you are looking for a different twist on low-carb diets, you may be interested in "The Hampton's Diet." It was developed by a physician who worked closely with Dr. Robert Atkins who diverted from the popular low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet theory at the point when his Atkins Diet was launched. Always consult a doctor before trying a new diet.
History
The Hampton Diet was created Dr. Fred Pescatore, a physician who practices nutritional medicine. Pescatore was the associate medical director at The Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine for five years before opening his own practice in New York. Pescatore has been featured on television shows such as The View and The Today Show. He has authored other health books such as the bestselling children's health book, "Feed Your Kids Well." He also speaks on numerous radio shows and has regular columns in national magazines, including Women's World and First for Women.
Identification
The Hampton's diet is basically a low-carb diet, notes the Diets in Review website. The diet can be easily summed up: Eat more fish, veggies and omega-3 fatty acids and swap bad fats like the saturated variety for good monounsaturated fats, according to Pescatore's book, "The Hampton's Diet." It's named after the Hamptons because it's meant to promote a diet that's "rich, indulgent and thin."
Features
If you like the Atkins or Mediterranean diets, you may also like this diet because it's a hybrid of the two. Diet followers restrict carbohydrates and eat organic foods whenever possible. Lean proteins are emphasized as well. Dieters can have some minimally processed foods on occasion, but in general you will eat no artificial foods while on this diet. You also get to have little sugar or alcohol. Specific direction on exercise isn't given with this plan.
Considerations
The Hamptons diet focuses on monounsaturated fats, which is a diversion from the Atkins diet philosophy of any type of fat is OK. This type of fat can have health benefits when it's consumed in moderation and replaces trans and saturated fats, according to the American Heart Association. Prescatore advocates macadamia nut oil over olive oil because it has a higher monounsaturated fat content. While the book advocates it as a "secret ingredient" for weight loss, not everyone agrees. Lona Sandon, assistant clinical nutrition professor the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center tells the New York Daily News that olive oil is just as beneficial while being much easier on your wallet in the June 9, 2004 article, "Food Stuff Magic Macadamias?" Other foods rich in monounsaturated fats include avocados, nuts and seeds as well as canola, sunflower, peanut and sesame oils, notes AHA. A low-carb diet also can help lower your cholesterol when you are choosing monounsaturated fats, notes the Mayo Clinic.
Expert Insight
Low carb diets like the Atkins and Hampton's plans can help you lose weight --- at least at first, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can help you cut calories, will make you feel full longer after meals due to the fat and protein content and may have a diuretic effect that causes water weight loss. However, such plans take willpower to continually follow and if you abandon the low-carb plan and return to your old habits you're likely to regain your lost weight, the experts at the clinic note. You also risk not consuming enough fiber, which can cause constipation and raise your risk for ketosis. This condition is caused by incomplete fat breakdown. It can lead to dehydration, weakness, irritability, nausea and dizziness.
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