High Protein vs. Low Calorie Eating, Which Is Better?

Well swimsuit season is fast approaching, what to do about those last few pounds?
Many in their attempt to thin themselves out will try various forms of diet torture.
Liquid diets, starvation diets, fruit only diets, meat only diets, you get the picture.

So what works? Well, they all can.

What exactly is your goal? Is to be temporarily thin for some social event or could you dig deeper into a goal that’s more substantial than rice paper.

If you chosen the former, this article is not for you, stop reading now.

Now that the children have left the room, the grown ups can have a conversation.
What works long term is commitment to a plan. What plan is the best? I have seen the low calorie diet work for many people who have an iron will. If this is you go for it.

The high protein diet, is for the rest of us mere mortals who are prone to weakness at the smell of fresh baked bread. Yes, we all know high protein does not have to be high in fat and can include certain veggies.

The basics are these: Protein at every meal. Eat Five to Six meals per day at intervals of 2 to 3 hours. Why? Protein helps to control appetite or satiety. The secret message that is sent from our gut to our brain that says BUS TA (enough in Italian) is activated by protein and fat.  

What are the types of protein? No, you do not have to eat pounds of steaks and sausage, please. The types you should consider are fish, eggs and egg whites, chicken, nuts, legumes and whey or soy protein. And yes the occasional red meat.

How much or how big can you go…. the size of your fist is a good estimate.

Veggies, as you know are important. Yet not all veggies are equal, some are better.
I prefer to advise my patients about broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower.

Carbs, yes only complex carbohydrates such as wheat or barley. Fruits, whole not juices are great too. The berry fruits are what I recommend.

Now, this focus of eating works, but you are going to slip and please stop beating yourself up, because it does no good. Plan in your eating slips. One day a week eat what you want, how ever don’t go hog wild. Pizza, have a slice not three. Got it?  Happy eating.