This is the only heated argument I've had on this forum since I've joined. So for the sake of making peace with EVERYONE, I will yield, and we can all let this crap die down.
Josh Z. I agree with as many of your points as I disagree with others you make. I too have seen hundreds of people drop insane amounts of weight doing Atkins, then balloon up beyond their pre diet weight within months of stopping the diet. If I recall correctly, the guy who had a show on Food Network that was really popular for about 3 months, the guy who lost like 230 lbs, and his entire family each lost a hundred or so pounds doing Atkins style dieting; his show got cancelled partially due to the fact that he rebounded and put back on a great majority of his weight. That and the fad nature of the diet was dying down.
Fads aren't a cure, changing your lifestyle is what will impact your health.
My diet consists of various proteins, protein powder shakes for a quick meal, lots of nuts, olive oil, salads, broccoli, some cheeses at times, and eggs. I do take high quality vitamin and mineral supplements (USANA) but I did that before the diet, so it's not due to the diet I'm on. A baby aspirin and some fish oil caps round out the supplementation.
This plus increasing my exercise level has changed my overall fitness. I agree that sitting on your bum, eating nothing but pork rinds bacon, cheese and whipping cream mixed with pudding mix, isn't a recipe for good health. Diets too restricted like these can lead to malnutrition. And yes, if you don't know if you have an underlying kidney disorder,then you wont know if your hurting your body until you find yourself becoming ill. And it is unwise to change diets without talking to your doctor first, but like Tony said, many doctors are now highly recommending a low carb/high protein diet because when used properly, along with exercise it does work.
And although the American Heart Association is full of very well educated well meaning individuals, let's not forget that they were the main body pushing low fat dieting for the last 20 years, that has done nothing but promote poor health and food choices. Since the early 80's, we've seen "Low Fat" plastered on everything, from cakes to cookies. With every product that has fat removed from it, it is usually replaced by high fructose corn syrup, or other nasties.
The key to damn near everything is moderation. I will not be eating solely protein and fat my whole life either. One of the reasons I find this diet more effective is that I find protein more satiating, and thus, I eat less. My daily amount of fat intake is relatively normal or perhaps on the low side. I eat 2 eggs about twice a week, and they aren't nearly as unhealthy as we were previously told they were. And the rest of my fat intake comes from two cheddar cheese sticks eaten throughout the day. Each one of those only have 4.5 grams of saturated fat.
I'm laying down my sword, because I'm not on this forum to make any enemies. This has been a friendly community for people who love to BBQ and that's what matters. So Josh, I have personally offended you, and I am sorry. Lets move on and let it die.
