How to Lose Weight-The Dukan Diet, The Adkins Diet, The South Beach Diet-Save Your Money

Why doesn’t someone write a book on how to really lose weight? Every couple of years some author writes a crazy new book on how to rapidly lose weight. The more famous diets that come to memory are the Atkins diet that limited carbohydrates and the South Beach diet, which also restricts so-called bad carbs and restrict potatoes, fruit, bread, cereal, rice, pasta, beets, carrots, and corn for the first two weeks. After that, most of these foods remain strongly discouraged. Now a new diet is the rage in Europe and will sure to be a hit in the U.S as well. It’s the Dukan Diet, the brainchild of Dr. Pierre Dukan of France. The book outlines a protein-rich, low-fat approach to weight loss. These three diets all work to a degree. Physicians wrote all of them. However, all are limited and deceiving to a degree as well.

If you limit too many carbohydrates, it is unhealthy. In addition, the average human being will not go through their life limiting carbs to lose weight. I am a Type 1 diabetic and I limit or better put, monitor my carbohydrates to better control my diabetes. It is not something the average person will do continuously throughout their lives. The South Beach diet is similar. Cindy Moore, RD, a director of nutrition therapy at Cleveland Clinic and a former spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association says, “The South Beach Diet truly does meet several of the criteria for a healthy diet. It's rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein. Most importantly, it doesn't leave out any major food groups.” Moore warns that during the induction phase, much of the lost weight is water weight. “Losing this much water can throw your electrolyte balance off. So if you're following the diet, it's a good idea to work closely with a registered dietitian or your doctor.”

Now let us get to the new rage diet about to hit our shores. According to The New York Times, The Dukan Diet has four stages: the first involves a strict menu of non-fatty protein (skinless turkey, chicken breast, low-fat beef, or fish), plus 1.5 tablespoons of oat bran daily and loads of water. In phase two, dieters are introduced to veggies. Phase three, they’re allowed two slices of bread, a serving of cheese and fruit and two servings of carbs a day, with a wine-and-dessert allowance two days a week. In the final phase of the diet, “Dukamaniacs” (as they're dubbed) can eat anything they want, provided they return to phase one’s protein, oat bran, and water regimen one day per week. Did you get all that! You have to have your book at your side 24-7 to lose weight. It sounds absolutely nuts!

There is a basic and simple way to lose weight. Put less calories into your body. Do not put more calories into your body than it needs to survive. Some say well, that is the $64,000 question—how can I figure THAT out? A nutritionist I deal with for health reasons says a good rule of thumb is to multiply your body weight by 10. As an example, if you weigh 200 pounds, you will maintain your present body weight by eating 2,000 calories. If you want to lose weight, eat less than 2,000 calories. Then if you walk, exercise, or simply move more where you burn more calories, you will lose more weight. It works great. The problem with this example is that 2,000 calories comes up quickly. A big meal with a few sodas to wash it down with and you are close to your daily limit—and that’s just one meal! In the U.S, which is the land of plenty it takes discipline to lose weight. If you move to Haiti as an example, you won’t need discipline to lose  body weight. You won’t need a new fad diet book on your night stand either. You’ll lose weight just by not having the caloric content available at your beckon call.

While talking to a competent nutritionist for your personal weight loss plan is probably the way to go, the fact of the matter is that moderation and activity is the key to continuous weight loss. The quality of the calories you put into your body helps your health goals as well as your weight goals. This is the simple solution to weight loss, but I guess it’s not enough material for a best selling book!