Low carbohydrate diets are common, such as Atkins, South Beach, the Zone, Sugar Busters and the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet. With so many diet choices, it can be difficult to know if you're choosing a healthy diet or a new fad diet. According to "Diets Exposed: Analysis of Popular Fad Diets," the Egg Diet is a low carbohydrate fad diet. Consult your physician prior to starting any weight loss program.
Egg Diet
The Egg Diet provides three small, low carbohydrate meals per day. Breakfast includes two boiled eggs and 1/2 of a grapefruit. The lunch menu includes green leafy vegetables and skinless chicken breast. An omelet with two eggs, spinach and tomato completes the meal for dinner. Only sugar-free drinks, such as diet sports drinks or diet cola, are permitted as beverages. This diet is a very low calorie diet, providing only approximately 400 calories per day.
Weight Loss
Your body burns fat for fuel when you eat fewer calories than your body needs to burn to function. Therefore, because the Egg Diet is a VLCD, rapid weight loss will occur. Losing weight fast might seem like a great idea, but according to "Handbook of Obesity Treatment," losing more than 2 lbs. a week increases your chances of experiencing rebound weight gain. Keep in mind that keeping the weight off is just as important as losing it in the first place.
Considerations
The Egg Diet provides too few calories to be regarded as safe. According to "Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies," diets providing fewer than 1,200 should be avoided and supervised by a physician when no better weight loss options are available. VLCDs can result in muscle loss while your body is frantically trying to break down fat and other tissue to burn as fuel.
Alternatives
Slow, steady weight loss is ideal, according to "Handbook of Obesity Treatment," because it decreases your changes of rebound weight gain by giving you an opportunity to learn the skills necessary to maintain a healthy weight for the rest of your life. Losing even 1 lb. to 2 lbs. per week adds up to an annual weight loss of 52 lbs. to 104 lbs. Consult a dietitian if you need some help developing a healthy, balanced diet.
References
- "Diets Exposed: Analysis of Popular Fad Diets"; Kristina Benson; 2007
- "Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies"; Frances Sizer; 2008
- "Handbook of Obesity Treatment"; Thomas A. Wadden PhD, et al.; 2004
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