PROTEIN POWER
The Protein Power Diet gets its power from teamwork; Michael and Mary Eades are two doctors whose passion for burning fat led them to create a low-carbohydrate, moderate-fat, high-protein diet. The Protein Power Diet draws similarities to the Atkins and Zone diets, but the difference is that they tie protein intake directly to calorie management. Unlike the Atkins diet, where dieters are unrestricted as to the amount of calories they may eat, adherents to the Protein Power Diet will have to watch their numbers!
Foods Emphasized: Meat, eggs, cheese and tofu
Foods Discouraged: Grains, legumes, sugars, or any high-carbohydrate food
Premise and Guidelines: The Protein Power diet is another diet that focuses on controlling insulin levels to promote a healthy body and maintain an ideal weight. Eating high-carb foods causes insulin levels to rise, which may inhibit the body’s tendency to break down fat. Lower insulin levels, which can be achieved from a low-carb diet, encourage the breakdown of fat.
There are 3 distinct phases to the Protein Power Diet. The Intervention phase is very restrictive, allowing only 20-40 grams of daily carbs. The carbs and protein must be spread evenly over three meals and a snack. After this is a Transition phase that can be started when your weight loss goal has been reached. Here, you may increase carb intake up to 50 grams per day as long as your weight is maintained. Lastly, the Maintenance phase allows slightly more carb intake until all weight and health levels are stabilized. The typical carb intake at this point will be approximately 70-130 grams per day. This phase is long- it is supposed to be permanent. Other than unhealthy trans-fats, fats may be consumed in this diet, with emphasis on the benefit of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Also recommended is getting enough fiber; up to 25 grams each day, and eating foods with moderate-to-high amounts of protein, such as fish, chicken, red meat, eggs, cheese, and tofu. You may still eat carbohydrates, but they should be only low-carbs and eaten in moderation. The best low-carb choices will be mostly fruits and vegetables.
One of the issues with this diet, and any carb-conscious one, is that the carbohydrate restriction and protein calculations get to be time consuming. The diet limits your carb level so much that it is possible to experience fatigue and low energy. Since carbohydrates are needed for the body to function efficiently, any long-term carb cutting may be unhealthy.
The Protein Power diet has shown to be effective with getting fast results in weight loss, and dieters should make the decision as to whether this is a diet to follow permanently.