The Raw Food Diet

December 30, 2008

 

The raw food diet is gaining steam in the dieting community. It is somewhat similar to vegetarian diets because most of the food sources come from plants. Raw foods contain nutrients that are usually lost when preserved, put in a can or cooked.

In this diet you eat food in their natural pure state. You do very little cooking and adding of processed foods if any.

Pros:
-Diet is very clean
-You eat a lot of vegetables and get lots of water
-IF you can learn to eat this way weight loss is usually permanent

Cons:
-Very restrictive diet
-Takes a good amount of discipline and getting used to
-Diet can be rather bland because of the restrictiveness

Carbs are somewhat restricted on this diet plan. Most carbohydrates come from vegetables but since vegetables can contain very little carbs you need to eat quite a bit. That is one reason why you eat a lot of salads on this diet. There are even morning meals that consist of a salad. Dieters receive most of their protein from nuts and legumes.

Dairy is also not allowed on this diet and if you like milk you will have to opt for coconut milk. If you love milk then you’re in trouble.

If you want a little variety in your drinking you are allowed to drink juices if they are one hundred percent juice.

There are a few things some people do to add variation into this diet:
1. Make your own cheese
2. Add processed grains in moderation
3. Cook your vegetables in moderation

Like any diet that eliminates specific types of food this diet can be very hard to follow and stick to for a long period of time.

Weight Watchers - Pros & Cons

December 29, 2008

Weight Watchers has been around for the longest of almost all weight loss programs. They have introduced a unique points system to keep their diet interactive and easier to stick to and it works.

Depending on your weight you start in a category and are assigned a certain number of points. You then are allowed to eat that number of points and assuming you stay within that limit you will lose weight. All foods are assigned a point value. That means for example that half your points could technically come from pizza during the day assuming you just don’t go over your allotted points.

The Good:
•    Tracking of points is done with a journal and calculator - simple
•    No food restrictions
•    Weekly support team to get advice from a leader and weigh-in to stay accountable
•    Access to online tools and support
•    Foods such as chocolate, bread, yogurt and candy IS allowed
•    You learn healthier eating habits

The points given to foods are based on the serviing size and not what the food is. Obviously they can’t account for every food on earth so when the food isn’t listed in the Weight Watchers Food Chart you are given a formula to figure out the points. The formula takes into account the fiber, fat and calorie content of the food.

The Bad:
•    Can be expensive - $10 to $15 per class plus your signup fee
•    You must be disciplined and willing to track and record what you eat
•    The points system has disadvantages – you won’t want to be counting calories your whole life

If you go to the grocery story you will even see some frozen foods that are not part of the weight watchers program that contain the point values. Talk about making it easy.

The Weight Watchers diet plan encourages exercising not in the very beginning but after a month or so of being on the diet.

Points are only a guideline for eating. Those wishing to truly become healthy and not just a smaller unhealthy fat person will need to eat healthier using the guidelines and not just live along the points.

The Mediterranean Diet - Is It This Simple?

This weight loss method teaches dieters to adopt the eating habits of folks that call the area around the Mediterranean Sea home. They tend to be lean and beautiful people.  This diet is based on the idea that food is more than just a quick thoughtless meal. It advocates taking time to make and eat the meal.

Bread is the main stape of this diet. Pita bread especially. It comes in so many varieties of whole wheat that it is a healthy alternative choice without the starch.

Highlights:

    * No restrictions on this diet other than avoiding very high calorie foods.
    * Portion control is a very important aspect of the diet
    * You get to eat fruits, vegetables, pastas of low calorie, cheeses and yogurt
    * Does not stress exercise although it could only help not hurt
    * Eating frequent smaller meals is advocated versus eating 3 large meals

Most of the protein needed comes from plants and meat such as fish and seafood although ocassional lean meats are thrown in small amounts. Plan proteins have less cholesterol and fat which is why it is the preferred protein choice.

Dieters can enjoy a wide variety of foods and not feel deprived. Eat like you were vacationing in southern Spain or the Greek Isles and lose weight at the same time.

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