Number Of Carbs You Can Eat On A Protein Power Plan

The Protein Power diet plan is considered a low-carbohydrate diet because it restricts carbohydrate intake in three different phases of the diet. It is often compared with other low-carb diets such as Atkins, the Zone, Sugar Busters and South Beach, with which it shares some similarities. The amount of carbs allowed under the Protein Power regimen varies according to which phase of the diet you are in. Consult your doctor before beginning any diet, particularly one that severely restricts certain nutrients or food groups.

Protein Power Diet

Written by the husband-and-wife doctor duo of Mary Dan and Michael Eades, the book "Protein Power" was published in 1996. Its fundamental premise is that our bodies cannot handle the refined carbohydrates and sugars popular in modern diets. The Eadeses believe we haven't changed much from our caveman ancestors, who ate primarily animal protein, nuts and wild vegetables. Over time, eating large amounts of the carbohydrates contained in grains, legumes and starchy vegetables such as potatoes, causes an exaggerated insulin response and an increase of insulin in the bloodstream. Health issues such as adult-onset diabetes, obesity, hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure and plaque buildup are the result of over-indulgence in carbs.

Intervention Phase

Phase one of the diet, called the intervention phase, allows 30 grams of carbohydrate per day. You should begin the diet at this phase if you need to lose a lot of fat or correct a health problem, according to the Eades plan. However, if you are more than 20 percent overweight, you should have medical supervision while doing the diet. The following are examples of foods containing 3 or few grams of carbohydrates: 1 cup of cauliflower, 1 cup of turnip greens and six fresh asparagus spears. Your total intake of 30 grams should be spaced out among three meals a day.

Phase II

You can begin the diet at phase II if you want to lose a little fat, adjust your lean-to-fat ratio or improve your overall health. This phase allows 55 grams of carbohydrates per day, divided among meals and snacks. Some examples of foods containing 5 or fewer grams of carbohydrate include 1 cup of raw diced summer squash, 1/2 cup of sliced snap beans and one medium tomato. Snack possibilities for 5 or fewer grams include 1 ounce of sunflower seeds, 1 ounce of string cheese and 1 ounce of lean meat slices.

Maintenance Phase

You enter the maintenance phase of the diet once you have met your weight-loss or health goals. This phase allows between 70 and 130 grams of carbohydrates per day. In maintenance, you start by increasing your carbohydrate intake in 10-gram increments until you reach an amount equal to your daily protein intake, which you will calculate by computing your lean body mass and your activity level. For example, if you eat 85 grams of protein a day, you'll work your way up to 85 grams of carbohydrates. In each phase of the diet, you can subtract the grams of fiber contained in the carbs from the total amount of carbs to determine the net carbohydrates. Alcohol is permitted on the diet as long as you stay away from sweet choices that contain a lot of carbs. Your body will burn alcohol before it burns carbs or stored fat, the Eadeses note.

Considerations

Health experts, including those at MayoClinic.com, caution against excluding carbohydrates from your diet, noting that carbs are crucial for proper body function. Discuss your weight goals and diet plans with your doctor, who can recommend healthy, long-term methods for getting to and maintaining a good weight. These recommendations may include various lifestyle changes including a reduced-calorie diet and exercise.