If you are among the millions of people who have hopped from one diet to another with nothing to show for it except folds of fat in the most unseemly places, it’s time to take a break and really understand what’s happening inside you.
The Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet, written by Dr. Richard Heller and Dr. Rachel Heller, shows that most overweight people are addicted to carbs – and that is why they never manage to lose weight permanently.
The Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet: An Overview
There is no doubt that modern diet centers around processed carbohydrates. However, according to this book, most people are unable to metabolize carbohydrates effectively, which in turn leads to imbalances in insulin levels. Variations in insulin levels are behind most food cravings and hence, weight gain.
In order to address the issue of carbohydrate addiction, the book allows the intake of two main meals and one cheat meal. The main meals allow proteins and vegetables (non-starchy veggies, fish, chicken and meat). Carbohydrates are not allowed. The cheat meal may contain carbs too. However, you are advised to keep a balance of 1/3 carbohydrates, 1/3 proteins and 1/3 vegetables even in the cheat meal. Followers are allowed two snacks every day.
The diet plan starts off with a highly restricted phase. After two weeks of restricted food intake, dieters may follow a more lenient phase when they may take in a greater variety of foods. Once the initial phase is over, followers may vary their eating plan depending on whether they want to lose weight or maintain their current weight.
To achieve the desired effect, the diet also recommends daily exercise. At the very least, followers are asked to follow an active lifestyle so that they can continue to lose weight even if they cannot exercise regularly.
The Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet: A review
This book contains a significant amount of useful information. It starts off with a quiz that helps the reader identify whether they are addicted to carbs. This is followed by a detailed eating plan.
Dozens of recipes make it easy for you to understand how to include recommended foods in your daily diet. There is a helpful chart that lists out the carbohydrate content of various foods.
The list of binge triggers is also immensely helpful. In addition to all these, the writers also provide a number of tricks that help incorporate the recommendations of this diet even when you are eating out.
Pros:
- Provides lots of useful information
- Meal plans are useful and helpful
- Includes tips for exercising
- Includes tips for eating out
- The concept of a cheat meal keeps cravings in check
Cons:
- Initial phase is very restrictive
- Allows high protein and fat intake
- Requires time and effort
In Conclusion
The writers are research scientists who offer lots of useful information backed by research and evidence. It is an excellent eating plan for those who have followed weight loss diets unsuccessfully. It advocates sound eating practices and encourages a structured way of eating.
Although the Carbohydrate Addicts Diet diet plan may seem highly restrictive in the beginning and can pose difficulties for a few, if dieters take the time to follow the diet plan, they can gain rich benefits in the form of weight loss and added health.
