The Diet Experts Agree More Than they admit

Lately, I've been hearing a lot about how wrong for our bodies the current
recommendations from our most respected medical institutions are. Well-known diet
gurus and nutritional researchers have stepped up to the plate to declare that the high
carbohydrate, low fat diet regimens recommended by such institutions as the American
Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association and the United States Department
of Agriculture are misinformed, and frankly unhealthy.
Instead, they charge, our diets should include lots of high quality protein, fat should not
concern us, and carbohydrates are the enemy. This has set the stage for battles between
the weight loss industry and the health industry - with the only agreement between them
seeming to be the need to lose weight.
The problem is - they're both wrong. And they're both right. The most regularly leveled
criticisms of each seem legitimate - until you examine the recommended diets in depth.
Sit down and look at the recommended menus. Take them to the calorie calculators and
compare ingredients and nutrients. I did, and what I found was a revelation.
In the most practical sense, they're all talking about the same diet.
Oh, there are minor variations that have been grossly blown out of proportion by the
advertising hype. There are misinterpretations that have been stated as fact. The bottom
line of each and every one of the Atkins Diet, the South Beach Diet, the Zone Diet, the
American Diabetes Association diet, and the American Heart Association's Heart Healthy
Diet -- all of them - is to derive the greatest portion of your caloric intake for the day from
low carbohydrate vegetables. Spinach, broccoli, cabbage - leafy green. Carrots, summer
squash, deep rich orange vegetables. Fruits with high calorie and antioxidant counts.
Whole grains - and this is where the controversy seems to arise.
Almost without exception, proponents of the low carb diets for weight loss and
maintenance have condemned the recommended diets for suggesting that adults should
derive the greater portion of their diets from carbohydrates. What they fail to note is that
also without exception, each of those 'healthy' diets strongly suggest avoiding white
breads, starchy, processed foods, sweet snacks high in sugar and preservatives, and
white rice.
On the other hand, the medical community has roundly condemned the low carb diets for
encouraging the consumption of a diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol. But there is
also a strong suggestion in each of those diets along the lines of "eat only until you are
no longer hungry". .. and a minimum consumption of vegetables. Dinner's minimum
suggested amount of vegetables is 2 1/2 cups. How hungry will you be after consuming
two and a half cups of vegetable?
In the end, the bottom line of every weight loss program advertised is the same:
* Eat a well-balanced diet where most of the calories are derived from whole grains,
vegetables and fruits.
* Eat fewer calories than you expend.
* Exercise moderately every day.
* Learn to eat that way as a lifestyle and you will lose weight—and keep it off!