High Protein Diet

The body requires six basic nutrients to function efficiently. Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids (fats), minerals, vitamins and water. Take away any one of these components and the body will eventually begin to deteriorate.

High protein diets are a big fad right now. They promise quick weight loss results. This is good - right?

Wrong. High protein diets dehydrate the body. You may have heard that when you go on a high protein diet, you will lose 8 to 10 pounds in the first week. Actually, the body is not capable of burning more than two pounds of body fat within a seven day period.

So what is being lost? Muscle, waste and water. A four to five percent body water loss can make you feel exhausted and unable function up to par. Another problem comes up when you go off the diet and begin to eat carbohydrates again. Water rushes back into the body and you regain all the weight you lost. You have also lost muscle mass, so your overall body fat percentage has now increased.

High protein diets are hard on the kidneys, when the kidneys become overloaded with protein. They are then unable to eliminate the nitrogen wastes which leads to kidney disease or failure.

High protein diets are low in dietary fiber and high in fat, neither of which are healthy for your body. How much protein does your body actually need? About 15 to 20 percent of your total daily caloric intake.

There is no easy way to diet. Be honest with yourself. If you are overweight, how many years did it take you to get that way? Be realistic. How much time to you think it will take to get it off.

People are looking for a "quick fix." Unfortunately, there isn't one. Only dedication and perseverance works. Put in a little hard work - or spend countless dollars on the next fad.

It's your choice.