You may think of a high-protein diet as a diet for bodybuilders, but these regimens have become trendy for losing weight. A 2009 study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" compared the effects on weight loss of a low-carbohydrate diet and a low-fat diet. The study found that the low-carbohydrate, also known as a high-protein diet, was as effective in promoting weight loss as the low-fat diet. If you enjoy eating meat, consider a high-protein diet to help you lose weight.
Atkins Diet
The Atkins diet, developed in 1972 by cardiologist Dr. Robert Atkins, is a well-known high-protein weight-loss diet. On Atkins, your diet primarily consists of meat and nonstarchy vegetables. This diet used to encourage people to eat high-saturated-fat foods like red meat and bacon, but the latest edition of Atkins encourages you to choose leaner proteins like fish and poultry, and healthier sources of fat, such as nuts and seeds. The high-protein Atkins diet limits your carbohydrate intake to 20 to 100 g per day, depending on which phase of the program you are in.
South Beach Diet
The South Beach diet is another high-protein weight-loss diet, created in 2003 by Dr. Arthur Agatston. Your intake on the South Beach diet primarily consists of lean sources of protein, healthy fats and nonstarchy vegetables. Carbohydrate intake is not as restrictive as on the Atkins diet, and you can eat low-glycemic carbohydrates such as fruits and legumes. Choosing low-glycemic carbohydrates helps control blood sugar and hunger, aiding in weight loss.
Ultimate New York Diet Plan
The Ultimate New York Diet Plan is a very high-protein diet created by celebrity fitness trainer David Kirsch. It is a two-week quick weight-loss diet that primarily consists of egg whites, poultry, lean meat, tuna and protein shakes. You can also eat nonstarchy vegetables, salad greens and healthy sources of fat. On this diet, you cannot drink coffee or alcohol or eat any fruit, bread, sugar or dairy products.
Protein Power
Created by Drs. Michael and Mary Eades, Protein Power is another high-protein regimen. Like the other diets, your intake on Protein Power is primarily meats and fats. However, this diet is not as carb-restrictive as the Atkins diet or as calorie-restrictive as the South Beach diet.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Low Carb Diets: The Right Way to Go?
- Everydiet.org: Protein Power
- MayoClinic.com: Atkins Diet: What's behind the claims?
- MayoClinic.com: South Beach Diet
- The American Dietetic Association: The Ultimate New York Diet Plan
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Long-Term Effects of a Very-Low-Carbohydrate Weight Loss Diet Compared With an Isocaloric Low-Fat Diet After 12 Mo
Member Comments