High Protein vs. High Carb
A high protein diet (40 percent calories from carbohydrates, 30 percent calories from protein, and 30 percent calories from fat) goes smack against the wisdom of a balanced diet rich in complex carbohydrates, with moderate amounts of lean protein, better known as the food guide pyramid, which is the dogma for healthy Americans.
Despite all the hoopla, a high-protein diet doesn't have the competitive edge over a diet that is rich in carbohydrates when it comes to helping you shed pounds or maintain your weight. In fact, a diet with too much protein is taxing on your kidneys and can potentially be a problem for some folks such as people with renal disease.
The American Dietetics Association, the American College of Sports Medicine, the Women's Sports Foundation, and The Cooper Institute of Aerobics have all joined forces to dismiss fad diets--like a 40/30/30 eating plan--that could result in the wrong balance of calories, making them unfit and unbalanced for healthy individuals.
When it comes to weight loss calories are what really count. Don't be fooled into thinking that a high-protein diet is the magic to long-term weight management.
Carbohydrate eating:
The nutrition community currently advices that around 55 to 60 percent of your daily calories come from carbohydrates. Since it's also recommended that you choose a diet that's moderate in sugar (one source of carbohydrates), your plate should lean toward more complex carbohydrate food sources, such as whole grains, cereals, fruits, and vegetables. Translation: Go easy on the jelly beans and eat more green beans. It's guesstimated that many women need 1,600 to 2,200 calories daily, whereas active men need about 2,800 calories a day. Women should have six to nine servings from the bread group, three to four servings from the vegetable group, and two to three servings from the fruit group daily. Active men can eat around 11 servings from the bread group, five from the vegetable group, and four from the fruit group. Both men and women should have up to three daily servings from the milk group -- another source of carbohydrates.
Much more research and information coming soon!
