What is the Best Diet?

I am starting to believe that, from a weight perspective, success is to be found at the outliers...i.e., either low carb or very low fat will work for those who are prepared to do these as a longer-term lifestyle rather than a short-term diet fix.

Ultimately, it seems clear that from an evolution perspective, our heavy carb diets are relatively new. That said, we don't eat the kind of meat our ancestors ate either. Today's meat is fattier, full of hormones, and not particularly sustainable as the world's population explodes (not that the fruits and veggies available to the average person are free from their toxic issues either).

Similarly, we don't have the same lifestyle our ancestors had either...even those just a generation or so ago.

So I'm not sure there is one best diet. But I think there is one worst diet, and that's the common American diet, which pretty much includes the worst of both worlds: too much meat, fat, and sugary, processed carbs.

And unfortunately, the dialog between the low-fat and low-carb camps is so polarized (did you notice the ding of Ornish in Michael Eades blog last week?) that they spend too much time doing the "the best defense is a good offense" dance with each other.

Eat whole foods!

I agree with your common-sense approach. Eat more fruits and vegetables and low-fat proteins! It's like a law of economics: good food squeezes out bad.... I discuss very similar things on my diet blog: http://duhdiet.blogspot.com/. (I have no product to sell. I'm just sharing my own weight loss experiences. I lost 20 pounds in two months.)

I would say that any plan focussing on calories in vs calories out, and foods like fruits, vegetables, a variety of protein sources, and whole grains, would work for the most people. It takes 3500 calories out to burn a pound of fat, period. Diets that ignore this and tote a 'miracle food' or 'evil food' often doom people for failure.

I agree...there is too much information, research and every other day, this works that doesent, etc. I am currently on a low GI lifeplan (not diet).

I hit a roadblock at one point because of the confusion. Eat Low-GI, but watch the calories. Eat low calorie, but watch the fat. Have 3 dairy items a day, eat 6-8 servings of grains, eat 8-10 servings of fruit and veggies. You can have some high fat, but stay away from Saturated fat, ...UUGGGHHHHHH!!!! And let's not mention the exercise thing. 30 min to be healthy, 60 min to maintain and 90+ to lose weight. A DAY....Its enough to drive you batty!!

After all of that, I had to learn what my body needs to:
1. Burn calories
2. Provide energy
3. Not starve...

5 meals a day works for me, or if thats not possible, healthy snacks of fruits, veggies, wheat crackers, etc..its a learning process, that takes time and patience.

Thanks for reading :)

I have always found eating the foods that satiety my appetite the most, such as the aforementioned and criticized meat, was the most effective. Being full was key to weight loss, and eating grains never led to that filling for any significant period of time. So any diet that allowed me to key into those feelings and that did not require me to constantly remind myself I was on a diet worked. There might not be a perfect diet for everyone, but finding one that allows you to eat what you want (that appeal to your particular tastebuds and lifestyle) generically would be the one I'd recommend. I'd also recommend throwing out any calorie counting out the window as focusing on numbers as if the body was machine which ran at exactly XXXCals/minute was forecastable.

Been lurking for a while, I think your blog is great.

There is no such thing as a perfect diet because everyone's body works differently and no-one's lifestyle is the same. I have just started trying to use Paul McKenna's four golden rules (cheesy, I know)and I have taken up Spinning combined with yoga which so far is working really well and I'm feeling much better.

I think the key is not to forbid yourself anything completely and to make sure any changes you make are change you are prepared to stick with - or in all likelihood you will put back on all the weight and more as soon as you revertvto old eating habits.
Keep up the good work!

The article on the USC website states that the National Institutes of Health funded the glycemic index study. The low fat, high carb federal food pyramid explains why the study finds the GI ineffective. The GI works for me.

I agree with frangelita 100%. And in my experience, no, it is not "calories in vs. calories out". I can eat a significantly higher amount of calories if I eat only certain foods and still lose weight, and eat 800 calories less in a less strict diet and not lose any weight at all.

Your overview is exactly right, and I don't think you'll find counterevidence. Speaking not of weight loss but of health, I think there is widespread agreement that whole plant foods, nonfat dairy, and limited lean meats are what people should eat. This has been the concensus for my whole lifetime, and the new studies aren't really contradicting it.

We need to carefully examine all the foods we buy and eat - if you read the labels you will be amazed at what junk and rubbish you are eating, even in the so called "healthy" foods!

Have you even seen an overweight wild animal? If not, why not? Because they eat the diet that their bodies were designed to deal with. We need follow their example, and go back to eating the simple and nutritious diets that our ancestors ate - that is, lots and lots of fruit and vegetables, small amounts of nuts, seeds and grains. This diet provides everything we need, and if followed, the weight will drop off, I promise! It's working for me!

David Jenkins and colleagues at the University of Toronto who developed the glycemic index have long since modified it by taking into account the glycemic load.

Example: A carrot may have a high glycemic index, but its glycemic load is very low because of it contains only a small number carbohydrate calories. By contrast, a Mars bar has both a high glycemic index and a high glycemic load.

Finally, neither glycemic index or glycemic load are relevant to weight loss except as a way of controlling appetite in people who become hungry soon after eating a meal with a high glycemic load.

Every week I bake whole wheat bread and make hummus for my wife who suffers from swings in blood sugar if she eats a breakfast with high glycemic load. A slice of whole-wheat toast, a couple of tablespoons of home-made hummus and a tablespoon of olive oil keeps her going for hours without feeling faint or dizzy. Weight loss is not a concern.

The recipes for home-made pita bread and home-made hummus can be found here:
[see url on name]

I have been on a high-carb, high-protein diet(with exercises such as yoga) for nearly 2 years now. Not only have I lost over 40lbs, but I have kpet it off and kept lean muscle. Your body is a science, and the same science does not apply for everyone, you have to figure out what works for you.

Hello people I am 15 5'8 and way about 161 to those girls who think thay are to fat and way 110 I think you need to get some sence or a new grope of freinds if thay bug you about your weight.You are who you are and the only way you will loose weight is if you really want to and need to. And you do that by exercising eating right not eating take out evryday and staning healthy.Get on a sports team like soccer!
-Jenna

Diet plans, pills, drugs, more water, less carbs, more pills!!! Aahhh! As someone noted earlier, if you take in fewer calories than you put out, you're gonna lose weight. I don't care if it comes in the form of Snickers or Celery. So let's say you're dead even, 2000 calories in, and 2000 calories out. Now increase your muscle mass just a bit and your body will need to burn more calories to keep those muscles working throughout the day. Do 5 pushups and hey, you're up to 2010 calories burned today. An extra 10 pushups, bam your caloric requirement goes up a bit more. Pretty oversimplified, I know, but the math works. Now, drop and give me 50!

As expected - an excellent collection of replies. Thousands of people ask that question "So what is the best diet?" Sometimes the glib reply of "whatever works for you" - is not what they want to here. There has to be some nutritional guidance - it's essential.

Keep it up.

Anyone who is looking for "The perfect diet" NEEDS to read this blog. I love that all of these people have found their "diet". It truly is about the science of your body and knowing your own body. What works for one, will not always work for others. All diets are essentially the same, if you burn more calories than you take in, you will lose. As we all know, much easier said than done. For all those looking for "The perfect diet" Here it is folks -- diet and exercise. Sorry to break it to you, that's what it comes down to. Learn the science of your body, practice it for the so called 21 days (habitual) and make it your lifestyle.

Jenna, you are a very smart girl.

Scott, the difference is, lots of people can't lose weight on 1,200 calories of Snickers (not to mention it would be terrible for your health).

Could I just make a point?
Everyone is right when they point out that if you take in fewer calories than you use up you will lose weight- it's self-evident. But...
What about the emotional aspect of eating? When I feel very unhappy I can't seem to drag myself off the couch to go and do my 30 minutes of exercise (and I know all about the endorphins etc) and all I seem able to do is eat. Which makes me feel worse, which means I eat...
Am I really the only person who this happens to?

I would have to say that simpler really is better: I lost over 35 pounds a few years back without knowing ANYTHING about diet and exercise. I used common sense after being overweight for a long time. I exercised, cut down on my portion sizes, cut out all red meat and ate a lot more fruits and vegetables. I have kept all the weight off... but if you MUST have a diet, I think the Zone or the Fat Fallacy are best.

Chantelle, no, you are not the only person this happens to! I believe that someone can start overeating for emotional reasons (psychology) but then can easily continue overeating afterwards for all sorts of bio-chemical reasons (physiology). Yes, there's a bit of a "what the heck" effect; once you blow it, you can just stop trying to eat healthier, but by blowing it, it can set the whole craving thing in motion.

Years ago my aunt, a nurse, had a heart attack. She was in the hospital for a week. By the time she was released, she was no longer "addicted" to cigarettes in the physical sense--she had already gone through withdrawal. But within a month or so of being home, her psychological issues had her smoking again, and of course, in a short time, she was "hooked" from a physiology perspective.

So I think there's a yin/yang thing going on here. You have to eat well to keep the cravings at a minimum, and you really have to find a solution other than food when stressed, since giving in can start you down the slippery slope to dealing with both emotions and cravings.

Chantelle, what you are referring to is critical, and far more important than most realize. So many people keep going from diet to diet - thinking "Is this the best diet?. When the issues are not so much about nutrition at all -- but rather that they have never got to the root of the issues surrounding eating.

What is the point of attempting a diet of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains (for example) - when your daily life is so busy that you only ever find time for convenience foods.

The diet is not the issue - the life choices, and deeper conflicts are the issue.

Hey, I really like Weight Watchers. It's so doable for me. I've been writing about my weight loss journey on WW if you want to check it out.
www.sarahsweightloss.blogspot.com

About a week ago I started eating one serving of cereal and 1 percent milk for breakfast, Lean Cuisine meals for lunch and dinner, along with fresh fruit, steamed vegetables, and lots of water flavored with fresh lemon. I haven't "weighed" myself yet, since I know that would discourage me. I know that I weigh around 150, and am 5'4". I used to be around 125, but getting married, buying a house, switching jobs, etc., made eating healthy and exercising a lower priority, so over the last year I've gained 25 pounds. I know that I can't eat Lean Cuisine forever, but over the last week, I've noticed that my clothes already have started to fit more loosely. I'm glad I found this blog; it helps to hear about other people's experiences. Kind of like a support group online.

Hi all,
I've been on every diet in the world, probably, and I find that the only thing that reliably works is eating less calories than you burn.

This can be done with any food, but is easier with fruits, vegetables, low fat foods, less carbs. Of course, there must be an addition on exercise.

I'm hoping to make this a way of life. I hope I'm more successful than I was with other plans, this one just makes sense.

Go low on fats! Go low on carbs! Go low on protein! Whaaaat!? This is confusing.

O.K. Let's get this straight. The meat conventionally bought is full of "stuff" our body isn't designed to eat. But we arn't ferbifores. We arn't designed to be vegitarians. I know that it sounds harsh to animal lovers, but the reality is: we ate meat for hundreds of thousands of years, perhaps millions of years.

And you should restrict Saturated Fat...Wellllll.., What about the phillipeanes? They eat coconuts which has saturated fats but they don't get heart disease, so why do we?

Let's get this fact's straight. We only ate grains for the past 30,000 years. When we first ate grains, we had major diseases, health problems, and our life spans were dramatically cut short. An average person lived far longer before agraculture was put into place. The only reason why we lived longer was the invention of medicine during the past 100 years. Did you know, thousands of years ago, our average life expectancy was only 15 to 25 years old! That's younger than I am. But rumors were that before agraculture was in, an average person lived to be past 100 years old! And these people ate more than a third of their diets in meat, while the rest of the two thirds were fruits, green veggies, nuts, beans, and other plants. Of the two thirds, our diets consists of lots of fish, red meat (mammoths, deer, buffalo, cows, etc.), reptiles, shell-fish, and what not.

People 100 years ago cooked with coconut oil, olive oil, and butter. When we switched to soy oil, cottenseed oil, corn oil, and canola oil, disaster happened. People started having heart attacks, diabetes, blood clots, all sorts of disease. People were going on fad diets, vegetarian diets, and cabbage diets. They were killing themselves trying to survive this heckic world we are in today.

Bob Barker, host of the price is right, went towards a vegetarian back in 1981. Since than, he had a stroke in 1998, having knee surgeries, is now having thyroid problems, and now said to have health problems. He also has issues with sex abuse (like Dian's ordeal back in 1986), as well as a host of other problems. He does love animals, like saying (Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population. Have your pets spay and Newtered). I know that he loves animals, but unless Bob Barker thinks about quitting eating soy products and going back to eating meat again, it's just a matter of time before Bob Barker has another stroke or a heart attack and dies. He really needs to start eating fish and good meat again in order to get his health back in shape.

That's why vegetarians arn't good for you. You will be vitamin defficient, even though you think that you are getting the essential nutrients, you will have liver problems, and you will have all kinds of health problems. Yea, I love animals and I do agree that animals need a future, but the reality, is that vegetarian dieting is just not good for your health. We need to eat fish for the DHA, and we need congulated lenioc acid from land animals like grass-fed cows, and we need some good quality animal fat in our diet.

So, Avoid the same stroke that Bob Barker has. Buy organic meat from your health store, stop eating that soy you think it's good for you, and visit Dr. Mercola's website for more information. Also, start eating coconuts. It's good for you. The saturated fat in the coconuts WON'T clog your arteries, it will instead protect your arteries and raise your HDL cholestrol, something that monounsaturated fats can't do. Remember to balance your Mono-Poly-Saturated fat ratio to 5:1:4, and try to balance your Omega 3s to Omega 6s 1:1. Eat at least 65 grams of fat a day, and don't use these polyunsaturated oils like corn, cottenseed, and vegtable (soy) oil. Don't use canola oil. Period. That's all I have to say.

I must admit, I've yet to find anything useful - I think my main problem stems from the fact that I don't actually look hugely overweight (despite, techniquely being nearly obese!) - I wear (UK sizes) 12, 14 clothes as the norm. But still, despite not exactly having appearance issues, I don't want my actual weight to give me health problems later on, but at the same time (probably due to my youth) I find it hard to find the motivation to stick at any diet for very long.

I've always felt that it's more important to maintain weight (I've been roughly the same size for about 6 or 7 years - am only 21, so that's a large proportion of my life) rather than desperately trying to get your body to shrink.

I'm impressed with some of the knowledge people that have posted have on our ancestor's health. It was very informative!

I guess I just wanted to say that I hope everyone gets to be the size they want to be, but that they remember that (as corny as it sounds) it's who's inside that counts. I think one of the best bits of advice that has been given on this page is that you should find the diet to fit you, as we, as a culture, have masacared the word 'diet' - it actually means "what you eat", not "what you eat 'cause you're not allowed to eat anything else!".

Oh - and to avoid quick fixes :P

Just stumbled here as I diddled around at work. Wow!! such certitude! Homo sapiens lived a long time before the advent of agriculture, did we? I think not. People died early and painfully in prehistory; there was no idea that cleanliness was helpful, no medicine; not even palliatives, really. Women rarely saw 40 because of the dangers of childbirth. The lay literature is there to pursue.
Diet was haphazard and catch as catch can. People were shorter, smaller, poorly nourished. People live longer today. And more comfortably Yes we have heart disease and cancer; so did our ancesters, only they lacked the knowledge to know it. In the 1960s, an almost perfectly preserved pre common era noble woman's body was found in china. She was in her 60s and when the doctors autopsied her, they forund that she had died of coronary artery disease. The "ice man" found in the alps between Italy and Austria 10 or 15 years ago was found to have had severe cerbrovascular disease, but no body fat! He ate a "natural" diet. Nope, sorry, no perfect, preordained diet for humanity. Manipulate calories and exercise; your genes will tell you how and when you'll get sick, and ultimately, die. Low fat is good, because it allows more food for fewer calories; more fat is good because it increases satiety. Go figure. Eat to feel good and forget the rest.
I've lost half a ton in my life time, and been on every diet, in every program...eat modestly and exercise to enjoy moving. If weight is an issue, it always will be. C'est la vie.

Oh one more thing....dairy. Why dairy. I had a doctor years age, an Englishman, who told me that no adult animal needs dairy products. He told me that there would come a day when there would be required health warnings on ice cream comparable to those on cigarettes. Milk products are suspects in several severe conditions, such as type I diabetes. Dairy of any kind is not needed in a healthy diet. Yeah, I know, calcium..it is poorly absorbed from milk and dairy products.
eat spinach, brocoli, sardines. It's not the fat, it's the dairy products themselves. Eggs, much maligned, however, are the perfect food. Steven.

look just eat good do exerscice and enjoy life and not give in to public perscecstion just do the 3 things and ure fine

The only problem with sticking to a diet is that you have to force yourself to change your eating habits, and after a while, you start to slip. That's why I encourage people to let their bodies and taste buds make the changes for them. That's what happened to me, and I couldn't be happier.

I have just cut out sugar it has been a week and I have lost 6 pounds. No pop, coffee is now black, and no sweets only fruit for snacks. I eat normal just cut out the sugar. Well it works for me. Good luck to everyone.

Jamie, that is a wonderful measure. Congratulations. I believe for several people, cutting out sugar and cutting out fried stuff/junk in general will be enough to make you lose weight. These things are not only high-calorie, they don't fill you up so that soon you're hungry again.

We all eat too much and eat to much processed junk. Its about moderation and common sense - if what youre eating is so far removed from what it was supposed to originally be derived from, well thats got to tell you something. And then we OD on it, why do we put ourselves through this?

I have the same problem as Chantelle. I believe our proble is same as Beth's aunt. Some of us have compulsive and addictive personalities. If it wasnt food it would cigarettes, medication, recreational drugs, booze, gambling, shopping, nymphomania......... how many emotional eaters have more than one emotional dependency/crutch I wonder?

Personally, I am a fan of high carb diets. Also I believe that we eat much too much proteint. Our bodies are designed to utilize a high carbohydrate, low protein, low fat diet very well. High protein intake has been associated with (at least by epidemiological studies) with autoimmune disorders, kidney disease, and osteoporosis (by altering acid-base balance). Much more on this can be found in the "China Study" book by T Colin Campbell (and in the hundreds of cited medical references.

I do agree that we should try to choose food with a favorable glycemic index to curb cravings and use exercise to also curb cravings. Adding a simple "one day" correction scheme like that proposed in the "Jerusalem Diet" can allow a person to "recover" when the diet has temporarily derailed.

i eat 800-1300 calories a day. but its because i eat low fat foods like fake meat that are only 100 calories a burger. does that make me anorexic or am i okay.

I need to lose about 20 lbs - I put it on when I went to Texas for 3 weeks and haven't made time to get it off yet. Now is that time! I don't really have a clue about nutrition as I've never really dieted before. I have a workout designed, which I really don't mind doing. Cardio and pilates, and swimming and college sports, quite fun. With my diet I was thinking just cutting my portions down, making generally healthier choices, eg wholegrains, fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy products and lean cuts of meat, fish and chicken too. I was however wondering if it's a good idea to cut down on carbs - not out - because I have them with every meal guaranteed. I thought of maybe having some wholegrains with breakfast and then making lunch and dinner carb free as much as poss. I don't want to go atkins or anything!Does this sound like a good idea? Cos I know weight comes off me pretty fast when i avoid carbs.

Has anyone gone on the "Super Soup" diet? It says you'll lose like 9-13 pounds in a week. i am thinking of trying it. if anyone else want to try it with me leave your email or something and i' forward it to you. thanx and please tell me if you have tried it, if it works, and did you keep off the weight. thanks again

hi everyone, Ive tried every diet that you can think of imaginable...like Starvation,bullimena, Anorexic Nervosa,Slimfast, or living on a restricted diet of no more than 500 calories a day(by the way, its not smart to do any of these things)The worst case scenarios of these types of Diets, are certainly not worth the Risk, oh yea lets not forget all the Diet Pills, Drugs and soup diets, cabbage diet, carrot diet, Liquid diet, atkins and all that other crazy shit we see and hear on Tv, internet and etc that Ive taken in the Past...

There are some diets that do work, I mean in a sense all fad diets work, but its the gain that always comes back..Ive struggle with my Weight for most of my life.

I think the only way to really lose weight and keep it off, is just be sensible to what you are putting in, I mean hey its easier said than done, and I can say honestly once you have decided to lose the weight, you always have to remember that you cant ever go back to the old usually habits of stuffing you're self until you pop on Thanks giving or any other day or excuse that we give our selves, like perfect example, I have 2 bad horrible habits, after I lose or start to lose weight that is noticeable, 1 is that I start to eat all the shit that i didnt have while i was on the Diet, the minute someone says wow, you looking good....or once I reached a personal weightgoal I reward my self over and over again....but the right thing to do is DO EVERYTHING IN MODERATION....

alot of people disagree with frozen entrees, but honestly we all do things different, and my thoughts on that is you gotta do whats right for you...Right now im Currently on Lean Cuisines and Healthy choices, depends which diet food is on sale for that week, I let myself snack on slimfast bars and fruits, and VEggies....Im starting to drink lots of water, and im taking it day by day...Ive been doing this for about 3 weeks, soo far by my second week I lost a total of 7lbs, week 1 I lost 5lbs, week 2 I lost 2lbs.....

I cant wait till saturday, to do my weigh in...even if I only lose a pound, i rather lose it slowly, beucase i know i have a better fighting chance to finally succeed in becoming a more healthy me...

I also want to conclude, that once i get closer to reaching my weight goal, i will work that much more harder to prepare my own meals, also on the weekends, i eat what I want, and I cook beucase I do love homecook meals and I refuse to punish myself just becuase im on a diet, I will give myself rewards from time to time...and yes i think every one should have Icescream once a month....this way, you arent totally cheating but you still get to have some of those favorite treats...

I wish everyone luck....and please keep your fingers cross for me, in the hopes that i will eventually reach my weight goal as well.....

p.s...sorry for such a long comment/letter, I guess i wanted to share my thoughts and feelings as well...LOL

Ciao
BabZ

My diet is basically an ad hoc one that mashes together the themes presented in the post.

I was formerly on Atkins which didn't take after two months. Finally stopped buying diet books and started following the simple rules of those common themes.

I am bewildered by all the factoids out there. If one magazine, book, video says eat this or do this, another says avoid that same thing.