*-* Diet Plan *-*

Question
QUESTION: Hi there,

I need to lose a large percentage of my body fat.  Last
time I got it checked it was at 21%, this was roughly 4
months ago and I believe it may have went up.

I heard that a low-carb diet is one of the best ways to
burn the fat before anything else.  What is you opinion of
the Low-Carb diet? and will it help me.

I eat every 2 and a half to 3 hours.  I have protein shakes
at home and take take them on a bi-daily basis.

If possible could you recommend a diet for me and foods
that I can and cannot eat.

All the best,
Danny

ANSWER: I don't know you well enough to know what would be good for you and what would not, but-

Protein shakes tend to have lots of calories. If you aren't working out hard, lose them, they aren't going to do what you want them to.

Low carb diets are very effective for some people, you can give it a try and see how it makes you feel. Go into it thinking that this MAY be the diet for you- not that if you fail at this diet you are a bad person- for some people low carb works real well, for others it is miserable and makes them feel awful.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the reply.

The protein shake I take is 200 or less calories.  Mainly
protein and very little carb. It also has Amino Acids and
some Glutamine in it.  How does that sound?

Danny

Answer
If you aren't exercising Protein shakes are worthless to you.

That extra 200 calories (calories cause weight gain- not carbs) will mean about an extra 10.5 lbs at the end of the year if you are taking it every other day.

Protein shakes, despite being sold as a "magic cure all" are only really effective if you are exercising to the point that you need extra calories and protein to help maintain your workouts. If you are burning 800 to 1000 calories per day with your workout- by all means, slam down the shakes- If not they are a waste of money.

As for the amino acids and glutamine- Glutamine is an amino acid- a non essential one at that, which means your body can make it on it's own. As far as amino acids go, they are the building blocks of protein, which means if you are eating complete protein, you are getting all of your amino acids. Selling a protein shake by saying it has amino acids is like selling a brick house by saying, "Yes, and it has bricks in it too!".

Sorry if I sound a little strident over this, but it KILLS me that people are being sold things that they don't need and will slow down them reaching their goals- all because someone wants to make a buck.

Eat more green veggies, keep what carbs you do eat complex (brown rice, whole wheat etc) eat lean protein and exercise. You don't need much more than that.

Lela Simon

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