FAD Diets, and the TRUTH.

[Omen]

So most of my posting on this site is about nutrition, and my woman problems blow, and i'm still working on it, but I thought I would talk about FAD diets, and diets some of you may be on, and the truth behind them.

We all have done it, or have tried it. At least most of us any way. For me i've tried the BULKING diets so to speak, I have NO problem losing weight. But for those of you who do, here are some facts and things that may help.

Fad diets are done for one main reason, and that is to lose weight quickly. People don't want to lose 25lbs in one year, they want to lose it in 2 weeks. Here is where the problem lies in these diets.

First off is the Zone diet.

Zone Diet: This diet consists of one eating 40% of calories from Carbs, 30% from Protein, and 30% from fat. The diet is eat less carbs. Some of us think carbs are bad, and they AREN'T. Do you ever think about Chnese and Japanese people? Look how much rice they eat. Now tell me the last time you saw a 200lb chinese guy except for Sumos? I'm not going to go deep into the diets, but give you a small idea of what they tell you to do. Now, EXCESS calories promote fat storage, NOT excess Carbs. Let me stress this again. EXCESS CALORIES.

Atkins Diet: This diet is based on HIGH protein, high fat foods. What people don't get is that this diet eliminates Carbs to the extent where the body goes into KETOSIS. Ketosis is a condition where a Carb depleted body resorts to fueling the brain (so you can function) by using KETONES. (fuel that is created when protein is burned for energy) Hence eating MORE protein on this diet. Ketosis also kills ones appetite making you not want to eat hence losing the weight. Another diet that blames Carbs. Once again, EXCESS CALORIES, not carbs. Some people tweak this diet, but if your an athlete, this is one you are killing your body with.

These 2 are the main ones I wanted to list. There are shake diets, bar diets, salad diets, pineapple diets, and crap like that. Basically all crap. Everytime I go to the store and I hear someone say... I can't get that, it has 6 grams of Carbs per serving I want to beat the living....... Out of them. Society has made carbs a culprit, and people like bread companies are hurting, etc.

One needs to STUDY before they jump into nonsense. Some diets are good for very short periods of time. Research shows that something like 85-93% of people on these diets will regain the weight in a matter of years.

The main key to dieting is.... BURN MORE CALORIES THEN YOU CONSUME. Same for gaining weight. EAT MORE THEN YOU CONSUME. Its all about the calories, not the Carbs, Fat, or Protein unless all you eat is fat. There are 4 cal per gram of carbs, 4 cal per gram of protein, and 9 cal per gram of fat. (Unsaturated fat is what people need more of to gain weight) This way you are using some of that for fuel.

Remember, if someone tells you carbs are fattening, its a Myth. Excess calories are fattening. Excess fat is going to be more of a problem then excess carbs. The body is more likely to burn the carbs then it will the fat.

For now, we will leave it at that unless anyone wants me to expand more.

 

[Eulogy]

A person that meets their maintenance calories daily, but gets all their carbs from things like candy and white flour WILL get fat. This is not a myth. Learn how insulin is stored and created, then you will know why controlling your carbs is so important.

People are just frustrated because they can't control their carb intake, so now they're not to blame anymore.

The zone macro ratio is an excellent one for fat loss, as is the atkins principle if you rotate it (like a CKD).

Bottom line, do what works for you. These aren't FAD diets, they are methods of dieting - period. Those that regain the weight are those that aren't disciplined enough or just don't have the willpower to maintain such eating habits.

As for Asians being thin, they are genetically think right when they're born. Many other factors play a role in this, such as soy isoflavones that reduce their prostate size (men) and breast size (women). By the way, who wants to look like that?

Also, if you don't reply to this post, we shall have the same post count. How cool is that?

 

[DJBen]

Good recap. Not much else though.

I prefer a bit more olive oil and a bit more fla for gaining weight. Then I'll eat steaks instead of chicken. Unsaturated fat should always stay pretty constant.

Bar diets are safe if you home-make them. You can get some real calorie-dense bars if you're willing to go for it.

If you're having trouble bulking, eat more. It really is that simple.

 

[Vertical Nutrition]

I'm replying just under my new handle.

My theory is that people OVER EAT. I don't believe in controlling their carbs. Satiety is a key. I think its what ever people are hungry for. Think about the steak scenario. When you smell that, the body triggers HUNGER for most people, and you could prob eat alot more then you do.

Sure sugar is something that makes you lick your chops, but so is a big mac. I can't say that the carbs in the big mac are what are going to put on the weight.

Hence why I said CARBS are more likely to be used as fuel then fat. People need fuel to function.

 

[Eulogy]

Originally posted by Vertical Nutrition
I'm replying just under my new handle.

My theory is that people OVER EAT.

That's interesting, but I believe that people, when serious about their diets, UNDER EAT in most of the cases. It's better to burn it off, than to starve it off.

Over eating is mostly common in the sedentary folk that want to shed some blubber off, not when dieting to get sub 9% BF.

 

[Vertical Nutrition]

9% is actually a good BF for all those DJ's. The rule of thumb is anytime you hit single digits, you can see the abs. More defined anyway. 9% is still not quite washboard, but close.

And yes, most people starve themselves when they diet. Most don't realize alot of water is being lost at first.

Kind of the opposite of creatine. Most kids say... Damn I gained 10lbs of muscle in 2 weeks.

Oh, and BTW I mean ate more in general. If people would eat LESS it would make a huge difference, and they wouldn't have to starve themselves and act like zombies. It's all about moderation.

 

[Eulogy]

Originally posted by Vertical Nutrition
9% is actually a good BF for all those DJ's. The rule of thumb is anytime you hit single digits, you can see the abs. More defined anyway. 9% is still not quite washboard, but close.

And yes, most people starve themselves when they diet. Most don't realize alot of water is being lost at first.

Kind of the opposite of creatine. Most kids say... Damn I gained 10lbs of muscle in 2 weeks.

Oh, and BTW I mean ate more in general. If people would eat LESS it would make a huge difference, and they wouldn't have to starve themselves and act like zombies. It's all about moderation.

Definatly, however I don't believe in restricting calories to the point where you begin to have cravings. I just add cardio. It's that simple.

 

[Vertical Nutrition]

Cardio yes. Its that simple to US, but some people just don't get it. I've talked to people who go to the gym, then go to McDonalds for lunch. Thank goodness this woman has a body and I can't complain about that cause she looks mighty fine (not to mention i'm after her) but people that don't have the physique shouldn't do that. She could be doing it as well to keep up the legs and heart, but for people trying to dump the calories. Crieky, not good.

 

[daffydikless]

In general, especially American society, we've become a nation of lazy individuals.

People complain about "not losing 50 pounds" after 1 week on an exercise and healthy eating plan.

People complain about "not gaining 50 pounds" of muscle after 1 week of working out.

That's why many illegal drugs and supplements are abused. People want the quick fix.

Every diet has its strengths and weaknesses. SOme of them will help if done in moderation and understanding.

But quick fix diets are no longer the "IN" thing anymore.

IT's these muscle implants, liposuction, tummy tucks, botox, plastic surgery and so on.

Women were known to enhance certain features for years.

Problem now is, its not the "genetically fixated" parts that are being worked on, male and female.

It's all about the easy way out.

WHy bust your butt, eat hard, when all you have to do is pay some doc to make you look good.

Problem is, they may look good now, but they aren't healthy at all.. In fact, they might be even worse.

Thats the problem. Nothing works when all you want is the easy way out.

 

[MixMaxster]

See i know cutting back on carbs is bad because of what it does for your body, believe it or not it IS good for you. However what I read was that too many carbs that you do not use will be converted into glucose which will then be converted into fat (excess energy stored as fat)

See for the body, fat is better to store than muscle. Which is why if you're not careful eating too many carbs AND calories hurts you. And also if you're not regularly exercising and USING common sense when eating (such as a huge plate of spaghetti. like no wonder you're gaining weight) you'll be doomed to put on more weight than you were hoping.

I think what the BIG thing people refuse to see is the amount of calories we eat in one sitting, BUT simply cutting them back isn't enough. I feel that if you take say a days worth of calories, fat, protein and nutrients and split it into 3 meals, that THAT contains more calories than your body needs than if you were to split it up into 5 or more meals. Normally you should only eat what your body needs, not needs and THEN some because that's what kills you.

And things like the Atkins diet REALLY has me concerned for people's health because it's JUST as bad as a lot of the other diets out there. Cutting carbs or not getting enough carbs is extremely bad on your body not to mention the fact that protein rich diets are harder for your body to digest.