Kvalhion

I do agree that common sense does play a large part in being healthy. I also believe that knowledge is power, and until I opened my eyes a bit more, I simply believed that what I was being told was true.

Anyway, I've tried various dieting techniques over the years, and I am still doing it now. For a long time I was eating a lot of low fat / high carbohydrate foods such as baked potato chips, rice cakes, etc. While I realize now is that foods such as those work against me rather than for me. Although they are presented as healthy, they are anything but.

I had a general understanding of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, calories, etc, but my ignorance wasn't doing me much good. Obviously I am no expert now, but I do feel that reading about the various diets and learning about why they work or won't work does help.

I supose the underlying point is that some things are not as they appear, such as the Atkins diet. Eat all the fat and meat you want and lose weight! Sounds great, but when you investigate further you see that if you put your body into the state of ketosis, you risk seriously screwing yourself up. Many people who have come off the Atkins diet found that the weight came back and then some.

Perhaps the Zone isn't what it appears to be. For now, I am willing to take that chance until something better comes along.

Amie

Any diet that says you cant eat an apple or some strawberries cant be good for you in the long run...

Viti

I just don't think anyone needs to be an expert to know that the best diet is moderate portions of a variety of healthy foods. It doesn't take research to know that that some foods are high in calories with little nutritional content. You don't have to have a degree to deduce that overprocessing may reduce the nutrional content. Nobody ever said rice cakes were healthy...only that they were low in calories and may fulfill some need for a crunchy snack....which is the truth. They are certainly not inherently unhealthy.

As far as weight loss, one could conceivably lose weight eating nothing but chocolate frosting as long as you are burning more calories than you consume...if you want to be healthy and thin though you need some nutrients.

Amie

Hi Lady Shea
I agree with you. My friend Jason was on a diet a while back and he ate nothing but hostess crumb cakes. I have no idea why on earth he did so but he chose to eat just crumb cakes. He lost about 10 pounds in a matter of a few weeks but he was sick all the time and really sluggish...
I was worried about him...

Do any of you think vitamin supplements are essential? I could not help but notice there are a million different kinds of vitamins on the market...makes it hard to choose which one...

Godot

Don't tell anyone or I'll be out of a job.

NO NO NO NO NO. Part of the rationale behind the food guide pyramid (which is hopelessly outdated. Leave it to the USDA and nothing'll get done) is that a well-balanced diet will also provide the individual with the RDA's (or close enough to them) for vitamins and micronutrients. If you're eating well, then vitamins are unnecessary. If you're not, then shape up.
Neutraceutical companies are pushing their products as "essential to health" while neglecting to mention that a balanced diet precludes their use. If you remain unconvinced, then go with a multivitamin *cringe* but do not take it daily! This is one "insurance policy" that shouldn't by done daily. Many vitamins and micronutrients can be toxic to the human organism when overconsumed. If you must take one, a multi- every couple of days should minimise that risk.

JGL53

Right, wrong, wrong, and so what? - anyone who quits eating healthy and starts back eating crap is going gain back lost fat. But congratulations - your batting average is a lot higher than Godot's.

For me, this debate over dietary theory is boring. What works for the individual is what is important. A carbohydrate-controled diet has worked for me for seven years. Can anyone give me one good reason why I should view detractors as anything but fools whose theories are as useless to me as teats on a bull?

Amie

I just bought some whole wheat low carb tortillas at Trader Joes on accident. I thought I was buying the habanero kind and I was in a rush...
But I was pleasantly surprised those things were delicious with hummus! I highly recommend them to any one on a modified carb diet...Now I buy them because they are so damn good...

what gets confusing for me is how much exercise we really need to get the cardio benefits? some say 20 minutes 5 times a week, others say 30 3 times per week, and yet other seem to say 45 minutes...
how much do any of you exercise and do you feel weak when doing so by modifying your carb intake?

Infinity Lover

I pretty much stuff anything down my gob that doesn't kill or disgust me. Junkfood, icecream, chocolate, bring it on. I don't exercise, I slouch on the couch, I way buck all, and I just don't put on any weight.

Don't you just hate me.

Godot

The most recent Heart Foundation recommendation (at least here in Australia, can't say if the American counterpart has updated) recommends a minimum of 30min moderate activity on at least 5d/wk (if not more). If you're looking to improve your CV system to the point of athletic competition, then obviously you'll need a hell of a lot more activity.
Personally I spend ~5hrs/wk on the weights and at least 7-8hrs/wk on cardio at varying intensities. On any given day when I happen to have a low CHO intake, I'm all over the place (I'm assuming that's what you were reffering to with "weak" and "modifying").

Godot

More power to you, I say. Have you any idea what your lipid profile is like? How about your risk factors for CHD? While you may be the picture of health at the moment, think about improving your odds of a extended lifespan with a high QOL.