"Battle of the Diet Plans" - a little clarification...

Warning: don't read this link unless you want your head to spin:

http://health.msn.com/weight-loss/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100233291&GT1=31036

This article, run in the "O" magazine in February, makes an attempt to clarify the "best diet" for weight loss, breaking the categories into Low Fat, Low Carb, Zone, Mediterranean, and Ornish. The article very briefly summarizes (read: oversimplifies), three studies done in the last few years which attempt to compare some of the diets.

Let me point out a few problems here...
First of all, the studies vary on how to define "low carb", "low fat", even "Mediterranean". And the devil CAN be in the details. One person's low carb diet can be considered moderate carb by someone else.

Some of the studies also admit that the study participants did not necessarily even comply with the diet they were supposed to be following. If participants aren't even following the diet carefully, how can you make any judgements about the diet?

I won't go into details pulling apart and analyzing each study - that would probably take about 5o pages of analysis (I was a philosophy major in college, and also worked in neuroscience research - so don't get me started!) Believe me, there are many, MANY issues.

But the really important question is this - what do ANY of these studies mean to YOU, as an individual?

The answer: probably not that much.

In fact, the research studies, and the "O" article which very briefly describes them, may actually leave people MORE confused than they started. Studies and articles like these tend to obscure a very interesting, very important fact:

MOST EXPERTS DO TEND TO AGREE ON THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF HEALTHY EATING.

Sorry about the caps, but this is a really important point!

Many studies and articles tend to focus on the MINOR differences between expert's dietary advice - making it seem like there is no common ground. This needlessly confuses people. The good news is that experts actually do have more advice in common than you might expect.

It is understandable that people want "rules" and "guidelines" to follow. If you are trying to lose weight, and eat more healthfully, you want to plan how to do it, with some concrete guidelines. But here is the problem with a "one size fits all" approach - EACH PERSON IS AN INDIVIDUAL, with different physical, emotional, medical, and lifestyle challenges. Trying to wedge a square peg into a round hole - good luck with that! (Even if you could force it, it would be uncomfortable!)

So what DO most experts agree on? We ALL need some protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Experts vary on the percentages of each, but all agree that we all need some balance of all three "macronutrients." Little secret - how much of each YOU need will vary on your age, genetics, and current activity level, among other factors. At our program, we work together with our patients to find the best balance for each person, at each point in his or her life.

Experts also agree that losing weight will only happen if you are "burning off" more calories than you are eating. Not all diets recommend counting calories, but most experts admit that calories, in the end, are crucial for weight loss.

Most experts also agree that physical fitness is absolutely critical for health, and maintenance of weight loss. There is some variation on when, what type, and how much exercise is best - but another little secret - no matter what the experts say is "ideal", the REAL ideal for each person has to be individualized to that person's life and needs!

And finally, most experts admit that it is not easy in our current society to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. This should be obvious to any one who looks around - 75% of the American population is now overweight or obese! That means it is now "normal" in this country to have trouble controlling weight. People should not feel guilty for needing help to stay healthy, and reach a healthy weight. It takes work and focus - and SUPPORT.

Success comes from understanding your individual needs and challenges - physical, medical, emotional, social - and then learning IN DETAIL what you need to do to take full care of yourself. It also takes a specific action plan - and the ongoing support to get it started, and keep it going. Don't be confused by what seems to be conflict between experts, all "fluffed up" by the media. Don't be fooled by people who say it is impossible to be healthy in our current society. It does take work, and focus - but with the right support, you CAN succeed!