The Power Of Protien

Authored By Derek Beech

I'm often asked if a high protein diet, such as the Atkins diet,
is necessary. These diets seem to be a reversal of what would be
considered a conventional diet. The typical North American diet
is low in protein and high in carbohydrates. This is understandable
considering that we have been taught to follow the Food Guide
Pyramid, which tells us to base our diet on bread, cereal, rice,
and pasta.

Here are some facts to consider before I answer this:


1.Over half of North American adults are considered overweight.
2.Nearly one-quarter of North American adults are considered obese.
3.From 1960 to 1994 the prevalence of obesity has increased from 13.4 percent to 22.3 percent. Most of this increase has take place in the last decade.
4.From 1991 to 1998, obesity increased throughout both genders, and all age groups.
5.About 11 percent of children aged 6 to 11, and 11 percent aged 12 to 17 were overweight from 1988 to 1994.

Is the low protein/high carbohydrate diet working? Obviously not.

Two studies published in February's Journal of Nutrition state
that an increase in dietary protein helps to stabilize blood glucose,
reduces post-meal insulin response, and has positive effects on
body composition and blood lipids.

In both studies, a group of women were assigned either to a high
protein/moderate carbohydrate diet or a low protein/high
carbohydrate diet. Weight loss in the high protein group was
significantly higher compared to the low protein group. This
study demonstrates that increasing the proportion of protein in
ones diet has positive effects on body composition.

Conclusion:

We need to re-think our diets.

But just because these studies say a diet higher in protein is
healthier and more beneficial for fat loss doesn't mean you
should eliminate carbohydrates all together. This could just
result in a different set of health problems, but by substituting
some of the carbohydrates you currently eat with a quality
protein, you can definitely tip the scales in your favor.

Some great protein choices are:
•Chicken breast
•Turkey breast
•Extra lean ground beef
•Salmon
•Egg whites
•Fat-free cottage cheese
•Round steak
•Sirloin steak

Back at you again next month and Remember
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