The Atkins Diet, created by Dr. Robert C. Atkins, founder and medical director of the Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine in New York, focuses on severely restricting carbohydrates (initially less than 20 grams a day; 50 grams a day after achieving weight-loss goal).
How it works:
By restricting processed or refined carbohydrates such as high-sugar foods, breads, pasta, cereal and starchy vegetables, Atkins is supposed to limit fluctuations in blood insulin levels and control hunger.
Downsides:
A person who performs a lot of aerobic exercise and who doesn't have a weight problem doesn't need to be on a carbohydrate-restricted diet. There is also the potential to follow this diet in an unhealthy way, such as eating too much fatty red meat or other fats like whipped cream, and some people limit carb intake too much.
The long-term safety of restricting carbohydrates has not been established. Excessive protein can lead to kidney problems and heart disease. Side effects can include bad breath, fatigue, nausea and constipation."; FourDiets_compare[i++] = new Array("","Ornish","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070306/070306_wheatBread_dietApp.small.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Justin Sullivan", "Getty Images", "135", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); FourDiets_compare[i-1].body = "Ornish Diet
Dr. Dean Ornish developed the largely vegetarian, high-fiber, low-fat diet from his program designed to reverse heart disease.
How it works:
A diet of bulky whole grains, beans, vegetables and salads can help you fill up quicker and stop eating sooner.
Downsides:
The diet unnecessarily restricts fat-free dairy, oils, nuts and seafood. Too many carbs may raise blood triglycerides and lower HDL (good) cholesterol if participants don’t also exercise regularly. It can also be more time-consuming to plan, prepare and cook meals than other diet plans.";
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FourDiets_compare[i-1].body = "The Learn (Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitudes, Relationships, Nutrition) Program for Weight Control
This approach, developed by obesity expert Kelly Brownell at Yale University, incorporates not only changes in diet, but also exercise and behavior modification. It is based on the USDA Food Pyramid (55 percent carbs in daily diet).
How it works:
Consistent with what health professionals recommended, the program consists of 12 one-hour telephone sessions with a food coach whose job is to help people change the way they think about food. The idea is to replace bad eating habits with healthier ones that can be followed long term.
Downsides:
There are no specific recipes or menus to prepare. It’s an approach with a lot of flexibility which may not work for people who want more specific instructions about what they can eat or should avoid.";
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FourDiets_compare[i-1].body = "Zone Diet
Developed by Dr. Barry Sears, the high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet claims its focus on eating the right mix of foods can fight the effects of aging and reduces risk of chronic diseases such as arthritis or cancer.
How it works:
Less extreme than Atkins in restricting carbs, this plan focuses on a 40:30:30 ratio of carbohydrates, fat and protein at every meal. Participants eat more seafood, vegetables and fruits, and fewer sweets or refined grains. The plan consists of three 500-calorie meals, with two or three 100-calorie-or-less snacks a day. The idea is to ward off hunger, avoid problems with insulin and burn off body fat efficiently.
Downsides:
Some participants find it complicated to try to make each meal meet the right balance. Prepared meals can be expensive, ranging from about $25 to $40 a day. ";
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