Low Carb Diets
There are many different low carb diets out there, here is a list of some of the more popular out there along with their links.
If anyone has followed one of these properly and would like to write a review let me know!
Atkins
This is probably the most popular and well known today, mostly due to the controversy that follows it. People often criticize it and label it as a meat and fat only diet, but really this honestly isn't so. I have done this diet myself and I can quite frankly say, that I ate more vegetables during it then I ever did, and I have always loved my vegetables. I achieved this by ignoring the generic cup rules during induction and instead focusing on my carb counts and the more lower carb counts of some veggies. Of course, after induction you start increasing your carbohydrate counts which again increase your veggie and fruit intake more.
The atkins diet is made up of four parts:
Induction, basically you can eat liberally, combinations of protein and fat in the forms of meat, eggs, poultry, seafood, butter, mayonnaise and selected cold pressed vegetable oils. To compliment that, you can eat a limited amount of cream and cheese, as well as vegetables and salad greens on his allowed list, that keep you within a maximum of 20 grams of carbohydrates a day or by following his cup rule, caffeine and alcohol are not allowed. The purpose of induction is to wean you off your addictions and put you into the fat burning mode called ketosis, this lasts for 14 days but you may choose to stay on this phase longer if you have alot to lose. We have a great summary on what is allowed here: A Rundown on Atkins Induction
Ongoing Weight Loss, here you are allowed to slowly introduce more low carb foods such as strawberries and nuts and eventually some legumes and starches, as well as increasing your maximum carb count. You do this by increasing your carb count by 5 grams each week until you find your Critical Carbohydrate Level for Losing (CCLL). This number, is the number where you cease losing weight, so as long as you sit under it you will continue to lose weight at a good rate. This phase is where you get to know what foods you can or can't eat and lose weight as well as how some make you feel (food intolerance's).
Pre-Maintenance, this stage is where you increase your carbohydrates in 10g increments to the point where your weight loss slows down to less then a pound a week or by allowing a 20g treat 2-3 times per week. Here is where you practice maintenance, by getting to know your body a bit more and finding a way of eating that you can do for life, and by finding out your Critical Carbohydrate Level for Maintenance (CCLM) which is the maximum you can eat without gaining weight . This is where you really practice dealing with those demons and learning to deal with temptation and eating in a healthy manner.
Lifetime Maintenance, now that you are at your goal you can increase your selection of foods and carb counts again to a point where you don't exceed you CCLM but more importantly where you are comfortable with the foods you are eating (no bloating, cravings etc...). Get rid of those fat clothes and fix what demons remain once and for all.
If you wish to read up about Atkins I highly recommend you buy his book called Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, 2002 edition or earlier. The later edition like some other recent books from Atkins Nutritional's is said to promote their low carb junk products which I think just defeats the purpose of what this diet is all about. If you do it please try to avoid eating alot of this type of food.
Their web site with information on the diet can be found here
Banting Diet
William Banting is considered by many people today to be the father of low carbohydrate diets, the pioneer, where it all began...
In 1862 after many years of trying to unsuccessfully lose weight and deteriorating health with many visits to the hospital, Banting came across an ear, nose and throat specialist. The specialist told him to cut out the beer, bread, butter, potatoes, starch and sugar. He then embarked on a diet consisting of lots of meat, lots of spirits, a little dry toast and a little fruit losing 46 pounds in the process. After such success he raised money and published his own booklet amongst other good things to raise awareness on his diet which became quite famous and has since been reprinted many times even after his death.
Now I don't know about you but I certainly wouldn't follow his version of the low carbohydrate diet *hic* ;) but if you are interested in reading up on the history of low carbohydrate diets then this would be a good place to start!
Here are some links to get you started:
Banting letter on CORPULENCE(Obesity)
Banting article by Barry Groves, PHD
Banta Diet
Dr Bernstein
To Be Continued...
Dr Bernstein Author of the popular Diabetes Solution, and the New Diabetes Diet, Dr. Bernstein's Low-Carbohydrate Solution
Eat Fat and Grow Slim Online book by the late by Richard Mackarness, M.B.,B.S.
Eat Fat, Get Thin Author: Barry Groves
Life Without Bread By Wolfgang Lutz and Christian Allan
NeanderThin A Caveman's Guide to Nutrition by Ray Audette with Troy Gilchrist
Optimal Diet by Dr Jan Kwasniewski who resides in Poland
Paleolithic Diet What the hunter gatherers ate...
Protein Power Web site from the creators of the popular book: The Protein Power Lifeplan.
The Carbohydrate Addicts Diet Drs. Richard and Rachael Heller
The Schwarzbein Principle Diana Schwarzbein MD
The South Beach Diet by Dr Agatston
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is a strict grain-free, lactose-free, and sucrose-free dietary regimen intended for those suffering from Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Celiac Disease, IBD, and IBS.
Australian Specific Carbohydrate Diet Website Lots of links and information for Australians wanting to try the SCD diet
The Rosedale Diet Designed to optimize health by controlling those genes that regulate hunger, fat, diabetes, and aging.
Hampton's Diet A modified low carbohydrate diet that bases its fat intake on mono saturates and fish oil