Protein Power , by Michael Eades, M.D. and Mary Dan Eades, M.D.
Of the four diets reviewed, Protein Power gets the most credit for providing sound starting points for weight loss. The authors advise getting a physical exam, setting realistic baselines involving body fat percentages and ideal body weight, relying on internal perceptions rather than the bathroom scale, keeping a food diary, and drinking lots of water. The diet itself, however, places the individual at risk for many of the same problems seen in the other diets examined. The name of the plan itself, Protein Power, is misleading. The authors recommend 60 grams of protein a day for a relatively active individual with a lean body mass of 100 pounds. But 60 grams of protein is nothing more than the USDA recommended daily allowance for a person of that weight. In fact, the average American normally eats around 100 grams of protein a day. The Protein Power plan simply cuts carbohydrates, producing what is essentially a low-calorie diet. Which brings us to the plan's directive to consume 25 grams of fiber daily while maintaining a low-carbohydrate intake. This is effectively impossible, as most high fiber foods contain significant amounts of carbohydrates. The authors blame insulin for a host of ills, including hypertension, heart disease, elevated cholesterol and diabetes. High insulin levels, they say, lead to weight gain and obesity. In fact, the scientific evidence suggests that being obese causes high insulin levels, not the other way around. (The Eades theory relates very loosely to a controversial nutritional concept called the Glycemic Index.) Finally, the Eades emphatically state that resistance training (lifting weights) is "better" than aerobic activity. No reliable science suggest one of these two forms of exercise is superior both are equally important for overall fitness and weight management.
Return to Diet main menu |
