The Skinny on Popular Diets

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The Skinny on Popular Diets

ROCHESTER, Minn. ‹ You¹ve heard it a thousand times before -- there¹s no

quick fix when it comes to losing weight.

Many diets share a common thread -- they¹re low in calories. ³There¹s

nothing magic about certain foods or combinations of foods -- a calorie is a

calorie no matter when or how it¹s consumed,² says Hensrud, M.D., a

nutrition specialist at Mayo Clinic. The July issue of Mayo Clinic Women¹s

HealthSource weighs in on four popular diets:

Dr. Atkins¹ New Diet Revolution: This diet focuses on controlling the

carbohydrates you eat. However, there¹s evidence that foods restricted on

this diet, and the foods allowed, are associated with increased health

risks. With this diet, you may lose weight in the short term but harm your

long-term health.

South Beach Diet: Dieters focus on eating certain carbohydrates and fats and

avoiding foods with a high glycemic index -- a ranking of

carbohydrate-containing foods based on their effects on blood sugar. But,

the South Beach Diet lacks emphasis on lifestyle changes, which are critical

for weight management. The last phase of this diet isn¹t much different from

basic weight-management advice.

The Zone: The premise is that eating specific quantities of food at

prescribed times changes metabolism in a way that results in weight loss and

other health benefits. However, there¹s little evidence that metabolism can

be manipulated by eating set combinations of foods at set times. People lose

weight on this diet because it is low in total calories and emphasizes

fruits and vegetables.

Weight Watchers: This diet includes eating a variety of foods within a point

system in which point values are assigned to foods based on their fat, fiber

and calorie content. This is coupled with keeping a food diary and attending

weekly meetings.

Weight Watchers is one of the healthiest weight loss programs available,

promoting balance, moderation and long-lasting weight control. But, some

people find the point system cumbersome and the weekly meetings don¹t work

for everyone.

Mayo Clinic Women¹s HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy

healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to

support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call

800-876-8633, extension 9PK1.