The Pros and Cons of Two Popular Diets

There are a number of popular diets around and people are usually following the latest 'celebrity diet' but each one has its own set of pros and cons:

Atkins Diet:

Probably one of the more famous diets of the last few years, the Atkins Diet works on the theory that eating too many carbohydrates results in the body burning some of the carbohydrates for energy and then storing the rest as fat. The Atkins Diet is split into four phases: Phase 1 - Induction, Phase 2 - Ongoing Weight Loss, Phase 3 - Pre-Maintenance, and Phase 4 - Lifetime Maintenance. The induction phase restricts the dieter to eating only 20 grams of carbohydrates per day. During the next three phases carbohydrates are re-introduced but emphasis is placed on the more nutrient low calorie varieties.

Pros:

" This diet is suitable for a lot of men who prefer eating meat such as steaks, burgers etc.

" It is possible to lose a lot of weight on the Atkins Diet.

" There can be improvements in some dieter's cholesterol levels despite the high fat content of the diet.

" As long as this diet is followed properly, cravings for carbohydrates such as bread and sugar will disappear.

Cons:

" The diet can cause stress on the kidneys due to the fact that there is not sufficient energy which would normally be provided from carbohydrates.

" Many dieters report a lack of energy especially during the induction phase.

" There is a risk of vitamin deficiency from the lack of fruit and vegetables.

" Most Atkins dieters experience bad breath and constipation.

GI Diet:

The theory behind the GI (or Glycaemic Index) diet is that foods affect how blood sugars are raised - drastically, moderately or minimally. Foods that have a drastic effect in raising blood sugars have a high value on the Glycaemic Index while foods that have little effect have a low value. Foods with a low value release sugar into the blood gradually giving the body a feeling of fullness for longer. This decreases the desire to snack as compared to foods with a high GI value which cause quick bursts of energy due to the rapid rise in blood sugar. This causes a lack of energy and feeling of hunger to return much quicker than with low GI foods. People who continually eat low GI foods are less likely to snack and therefore keep weight down.

Pros:

" The GI diet does not limit certain types of food and there are always alternative choices to high value foods.

" It is very easy to follow.

" It is favoured by many dieticians as it is not harmful to health. There are also reports that the GI diet can contribute to lowering the risk of strokes, diabetes and colon cancer to name a few.

Cons:

" It can be difficult to establish the Glycaemic Index value of a meal.

" Some food can have a low Glycaemic Index value but may not necessarily be considered 'healthy'. For example: some chocolate bars have a lower Glycaemic Index value than some vegetables.

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