1. Health Risks Of The Beverly Hills Diet
The original "Beverly Hills Diet," published in 1981 had a more restrictive 42-day initial phase that meant eating only fruit for the first 10 days, adding carbs on the 11th day and protein, finally, on the 19th day. Authored by Judy Mazel, the "New Beverly Hills Diet" was published in 1996 and emphasized food combining. Mazel, who died of complications related to peripheral vascular disease, promoted her diet by saying dieters could expect to lose 10-15 pounds in the first 35 days of the diet.
2. The Diet's Theory Did Not Hold Up
Mazel's premise is that people gain weight by eating three meals a day. Dieters are encouraged to eat only fruits in the morning, but only one type of fruit at a time and waiting an hour before changing to another type of fruit. Carbohydrates and proteins are best eaten separately, and you should wait at least two hours after eating anything before consuming fruit. The underlying theory is that the body produces specific enzymes to digest different foods, and eating many different kinds of foods in the same meal creates a burden on the body. According Mazel, fruit is digested in 15 minutes, carbs in up to three hours and protein, up to 10 hours. Eating different kinds of foods at the same meal results in undigested food and weight gain. At one "open meal" a day foods from different groups can be consumed but thereafter, 80 percent of all food eaten the rest of the day must be protein. Famously, Mazel writes that "papaya softens fat," while "pineapple burns it off" and "watermelon flushes it out."
3. Fad Diets Do Not Provide Adequate Nutrition
Health experts at the American Institute for Cancer Research write that very restrictive, low-calorie diets have clear health risks. Restricting the consumption of entire food groups create nutrient deficiencies. Cutting carbs means a diet low in fiber that can lead to constipation and other gastrointestinal discomfort. A very low-calorie diet does not provide adequate vitamins, minerals or fiber. The first phase of high fruit intake is diuretic, and any weight loss is from water-which can be regained easily once other foods are added back to the diet. Later, emphasizing high-protein, high-fat foods creates a fasting state, or ketosis, wherein the body begins to metabolize muscle tissue.
4. High Protein Diets Have Health Risks
The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) states that this can lead to high levels of cholesterol and fat in the diet and an increased risk for heart disease and some cancers. Further, ketosis may lead to dehydration, muscle breakdown, kidney problems, headaches and nausea. AICR states ketosis may be fatal in diabetics and can lead to fetal death in pregnant women. Recent studies suggest the consumption of high protein may lead to leaching of calcium from the bones.
5. Resist Fad Diets
Avoid any diet that eliminates an entire food group such as carbohydrates or offers suspicious theories of food combining that don't quite make sense. Consult your physician or a registered dietitian or nutritionist for guidelines for safe weight loss. Most health experts recommend losing no more than two pounds a week. For most people, eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, non-saturated fats (those not solid at room temperature), legumes, low-fat dairy, and whole grains every day, will lead to lasting weight loss.
Member Comments