DIETING CAN MAKE YOU FAT!

• A large number of people are currently on a diet but many who lose weight will put it back on again. Constant switching between dieting and gaining weight is unhealthy. The metabolism is confused and in the long term, weight tends to slowly creep up.
• Traditional diets involve restricting food intake, often involving complex rules and eating only certain food groups (such as protein and fat) or certain food types (such as cabbage soup or grapefruit). They quickly become boring and initial weight loss slows down or weight returns.

The Atkins Diet
The Atkins Diet has received considerable media interest with some celebrity endorsements. It involves eliminating carbohydrate (starchy and sugary foods, plus fruit and veg) from the diet and eating unlimited amounts of protein and fat (meat, fish, eggs, dairy and fats).

• Weight loss is achieved because protein is very filling and so the dieter is less likely to feel hungry between meals. It is difficult to eat lots of fat on its own without carbohydrate e.g. cheese and butter without bread or potato would be unpalatable, so fewer calories are consumed overall.
• In the long term, this diet is unhealthy, because the body, especially the brain and muscles, needs carbohydrate (ultimately glucose) to function properly. The dieter will feel tired on the Atkins Diet and may also suffer bad breath, caused by the lack of carbohydrate. It is also thought that the high level of fat may increase cholesterol levels and the large amount of protein might put a strain on the kidney and liver.
• The key to maintaining a healthy weight is to eat a balanced diet, rich in fruit, vegetables, starchy carbohydrates, low fat dairy products and lean meat. Fatty, sugary and processed foods should be limited but this does not mean avoiding everything that you like.