The Protein Power diet, devised by husband-and-wife nutrition team Michael and Mary Eades, focuses on low-carb food choices to control blood sugar levels, appetite and weight loss. The Eades offer several lifestyle options in their plan. Low-carb expert Jonny Bowden gives the plan a thumbs-up as a textbook for dieters who want to live a healthful lifestyle with managing their weight. Consult with your health advisor when selecting an appropriate diet to meet your health needs.
Hedonist
The loosest version of Protein Power dieting involves meeting just two criteria each day: eat at least the minimum amount of protein, between 60 and 120 g, and eat no more than the maximum amount of carbohydrates, between 40 and 120 g. Look up your numbers in any of the 10 Protein Power books, which also carry extensive protein and carb tables. Acceptable protein sources include meat, poultry, eggs, cheeses, fish and tofu. Acceptable carb sources include vegetables, fruits and all starches that you can fit within your daily carb limit. In essence, nothing is forbidden when grocery shopping on the Hedonist plan; simply fit your daily choices within your protein and carb numbers.
Dilettante
This plan uses the same protein and carb balance as on the Hedonist plan but requires reading food labels to boost the quality of your diet. When you can afford it, shop for organic sources of protein and carbs; this eliminates chemicals, hormones and antibiotics, which might sabotage your weight-loss. Avoid processed grains, found in bread and pasta, and choose naturally high-fiber oats and rice instead. Eliminate high-fructose corn syrup, as studies indicate that it may overstimulate insulin production, Eades notes. As you adjust your shopping habits, build a grocery list of Dilettante-acceptable brands and items that you enjoy.
Purist
Although the Purist regimen uses the same protein and carb balance as the other Protein Power plans, it requires more thought when compiling your grocery list. This plan eliminates a wide range of products that may affect insulin levels and your ability to lose weight. Purists eat no products containing cereal grains, legumes or dairy. Choose only organic vegetables and fruits, purchase only grass-fed, hormone-free meat and poultry, and eliminate all artificial and natural sugars.
Expert Opinion
Some low-carb experts balk at allowing processed foods, chemicals and artificial sugars on any diet, according to Bowden, who reviews more than 30 low-carb diet plans in "Living Low Carb." For those who want to make the shift to a healthier diet using several steps rather than one radical lifestyle-change, using the three-step Hedonist-Dilettante-Purist model for grocery shopping on the Protein Power diet may make good sense, Bowden notes.
References
- "Protein Power"; Michael R. Eades and Mary Dan Eades; 1999
- "Living Low Carb: Controlled-Carbohydrate Eating for Long-Term Weight Loss"; Jonny Bowden; 2010
Member Comments