Is a high-protein diet for you? Weighing the options

by Martha Edwards (Subscribe to Martha Edwards's posts)
Jul 10th 2007 1:53PM

High protein diets are generally regarded as a good way to keep up your energy and lose weight. But is it right for you? Consider this information from WebMD:

Pros: high protein diets usually leave dieters feeling full for longer periods of time. They also help dieters lose weight fairly quickly
Cons: The quick weight-loss that most dieters experience is usually just water weight that comes off. Moreover, on protein-only diets, the body relies on stored fat reserves -- a process called ketosis -- and ketosis often causes irritability, headaches, overworked kidneys and even heart problems. Furthermore, high-protein diets are usually high in saturates fats (bad for the heart) and low in critical nutrients (for the overall body.)

Based on this, the evidence is mostly against high protein diets. But don't be discouraged -- weight loss is possible without hurting your health. Some plans, like the Zone, integrate moderate amounts of healthy carbs for an overall healthy approach to dieting.

Do you agree with this information, or are you sticking by your ketosis?

Source

Comments (2)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

looksbooks54 7-10-2007 @ 3:32PM

I've been doing Kimkins, which is a lower fat version of Atkins, and the weight is coming off quickly w/o any hunger or irritability or cravings. A lot of people lose 100 lbs in 4-5 months on this plan. Ketosis is part of it, but I've never gotten any bad side effects, except I forget to eat sometimes - it's at http://www.kimkins.com/329.html
You don't need to exercise on it, but a good plan would probably be Dr. Al Sears' PACE

Kurt 7-11-2007 @ 2:20AM

I really agree with the article, and it's a great piece of information. One thing that I noticed is that most people don't really understand water weight. I know I didn't.. so I did a little research and posted it on my blog. Here are some reasons why you shouldn't feel so bad when you wake up and see you've gained a couple pounds http://www.marthasvineyarddetoxdiet.net/21-pounds-in-21-days/water-weight-explained-step-off-that-scale