16. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Jul 17, 2005, 9:19 am PDT

THINK AGAIN, PROTEIN JUNKIES. I tried higher protein intake for a while, until my diet was mostly protein, veg, healthy fats, some fruit, little to no grains. Did I notice benefits? Sure, the protein does give a feeling of stability, controlled appetite, and a certain kind of energy, and of course any time you eat less junk and more veg etc, you're bound to start noticing some benefits, whether else you are eating. I did feel that skipping the starchy foods helped my digestion. But then I began to question- did I really need so much heaviness to feel satisfied? I found myself wanting clearer, lighter, sharper energy at night and in the morning to be able to read, meditate, etc. Plus I noticed that all the protein could be accelerating signs of aging- my skin, hair etc. And no offense, but my goal is not to look all sinewy and tight, dry, withered like a body builder or fitness nut. Traditional healing systems such as Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, modern athletes, etc, *not* just the current FDA pyramids, laud grains and complex carbs as a quality foundation for energy and health. And the traditional healing systems stress wholesome *digestion* as a key to health. Personally I found that with the right attitude and (attention to digestion factors- stress, posture, moderate exercise, balanced meals, herbs and spices), I can base my diet on moderate quantities of complex carbs with only modest portions of protein, and enjoy the stable, long lasting and *efficient* energy of grains and root veggies. (also, unless I've been very active I usually eat lighter at night, mainly veggies, because it feels more, um, yogically supportive to me) imo appearing to thrive on a high protein diet may be simply a sign of coming from imbalance, bad habits or poor digestion, not an indication that high protein is one's personal elixer. imo better to aim for moderation, balance, quality digestion, and robust and abundant energy.

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17. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Jul 17, 2005, 11:25 am PDT

I believe the Zone Diet is very important for health. http://www.zone-products.com/

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18. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Jul 17, 2005, 11:25 am PDT

Zone Products

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19. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Jul 17, 2005, 3:35 pm PDT

Trying to make sure I eat a balanced meal daily is quite a challenge so here is what I do and it seems to be working. I make sure I have at least 8 ounces of prepared chicken breast that I usually cook the night before on the grill so that I can take it to work with me in the morning. I start my day by drinking a product called YouthFul Greens by a company called Nature's Youth then when I get into work I drink a protein shake. This is my morning meal so to speak and I feel as though I am getting my Greens and Vegtables. At lunch I just eat my chicken breast and I repeat the same routine at dinner with the Youthful Greens and the Chicken breast. You can alternate between the chicken and any other high protein meat. I have lost at least 20 pound with this routine.

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20. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Jul 17, 2005, 4:11 pm PDT

I agree that most things in moderation are healthier than anything in excess. I've always believed that an egg that God made is better for us than something made in a laboratory. Even "healthy" foods can be bad if we eat too much of them at the expense of a balanced diet.

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21. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Jul 17, 2005, 4:31 pm PDT

I think a key is what type of carbs you eat - white bread, white rice, white potatoes metabolize quickly and dump a lot of sugar into your blood stream. If you are going to eat carbs, make sure that they at least have some nutritional value, such a carrots, tomatoes, etc.

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22. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Mon, Jul 18, 2005, 2:46 am PDT

I have to agree with moderation is best. I worked at Wild Oats for three years (during the whole anti- carb craze) Customers trying the diet would feel great at first because of the visual difference, But give them a few weeks and I would start hearing stories on how their moods had changed, their energy wasn't peaking as much, and many more disapointing things. In my opinion, carbs were here for us to consume, not to live on. Just as long as the carb isn't super- processed, and is as natural as possible, I don't see a reason why you couldn't drop weight while still incorporating heathy carbs. The corporation I worked for couldn't even okay most of the low- carb or no- carb foods because they were so full of crap or so processed it wasn't allowed as a nutritional food. That aught to say something. To sum up my opinion is simply, there are a lot heathier and easier ways to correct your weight, lifestyle, and/ or body image.

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23. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Mon, Jul 18, 2005, 3:09 pm PDT

I said it a while ago. Regardless of the means of demise, Atkins is dead. Who would want to eat like him? He told people to go to Wendys, get a burger, remove the bread and chow down. Gasp... Dave Thomas is dead also. Yeah... lemme eat like them so I can croak early also. Use your brain people. Leave fast food joints out of your life, eat balanced natural food. You are what you eat isn't a saying because it's not true.

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24. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sat, Jul 23, 2005, 1:12 am PDT

i eat balanced, natural food; eggs, steak, kale, avacodo, garlic, almonds to name a few. by the way, how did nathan pritikin, the father of the austere vegan diet, die? better check your facts next time!

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25. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Jul 24, 2005, 2:49 am PDT

slowly reduce your carbs from week to week. once you experience extreme tiredness slighty increase carbs from week to week untill you feel ok and no more. everyone is different,also increase healthy fats like olive oil,fish oils and nuts these help breakdown fat and also provide energy . but be patient everyone expects miracles.

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26. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Thu, Jul 28, 2005, 12:13 pm PDT

The long term effects of a low carbohydrate diet are well known. Look at the Inuit, the Eskimo's. They consume a low carb diet and the effects on health are well known. They have virtually no cancer, heart disease or arthritis. In fact there is a large volume of studies to prove the efficacy of the low carb diet. Consider too, the robust health of the Masia in Africa, who consume only beef and whole fat milk. They have no cancer or heart attacks. Those who deny these facts are either deluded or have an agenda.

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27. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Thu, Jul 28, 2005, 12:16 pm PDT

What ever happened to good old common sense I believe it needs to be stated as less carbs NOT NO CARBS. This is at least slightly akin to telling a teenager to " never ever drink alcohol" That has been proven as a- will fail direction. Or we could tell a "died in the wool vegetarian" to eat less meat.

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28. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Thu, Jul 28, 2005, 12:16 pm PDT

two years ago last March I started Atkins. I did modify it somewhat in that I limited high fat foods such as sausage, beef, butter, etc. In six months I went from 215 lbs to 178. In the following time of 1 1/2 years I've only gained back nine pounds. Common sense and moderation is key for this or any other "diet" to succeed. Ultimately, life style change should be operative word.. Duane L Chafin, Dallas TExas

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29. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Thu, Jul 28, 2005, 12:18 pm PDT

I live in Brentwood Ca, and I went on the South Beach Diet 9/28/04, I weighed 227 before, 5' 8" height, my blood pressure was high and I had aches and pains from the weight. I lost 33 pounds since then and went from a size 16 to a size 12 and I can fit into size 13 in juniors, I can wear heels again and exercise regularly, I feel so much better, and I watch what I eat now but I do not feel deprived. The low carb diet worked for me and I tried everything! IT WORKS!

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30. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Thu, Jul 28, 2005, 12:19 pm PDT

Moderation with one's food and steady activity will always be better then drastic dieting.

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