The
Protein Power diet, by Michael and Mary Dan Eades, is similar in
many ways to Dr Atkins' program. The fundamentals of Protein Power
are primarily the same - reduce carbohydrate intake until your body
switches over to using fat for fuel. Then, slowly reintroduce low
glycemic carbs back into the diet, until you're eating slightly
more carbs than you are protein.
The
Protein Power diet differs slightly from the Atkins diet, and is
really more like a cross between a ketogenic diet (like the Atkins
diet), and Barry Sears' Enter The Zone.
The
key to this diet is the drastic carbohydrate reduction for the initial
phases of the diet - Phase 1 of this diet is for those 20% and over
their ideal body weight. These folks reduce carbohydrate intake
to a maximum of 30 grams per day. Phase 2 is for those less than
20% over their ideal body weight, and means a reduction to 55 grams
a day of carbohydrates.
I
like this 2 phase approach. Low carb dieting is difficult to do
for extended periods, and many folks don't need to severely reduce
carb intake. Substantial reduction (like that recommended on Phase
2 of the diet), and a switch-over to good carbs will be plenty effective.
However,
the biggest difference between the Protein Power and Atkins diets
is the way caloric values are determined.
On
the Atkins diet, as long as you don't exceed your daily carbohydrate
intake, you can eat whatever and whenever you want. This is good!
On
the Protein Power diet plan, your daily caloric intake is directly
tied to your protein requirement. Protein requirements are typically
determined by analyzing the activity level of the individual in
question. Active individuals may require as much as 1 gram of protein
per pound lean body mass, while 0.5 gram protein per pound lean
body mass will suffice for inactive people.
The
problem with diets that tie total daily caloric intakes directly
to protein intake is that those individuals who are on the sedentary
end of the scale end up having an extremely low caloric intake.
In many cases it's lower than the 1,200 calorie minimum standards
for men, and 1,000 calorie minimum standards for women. This a serious
detriment. Reduce calories too much, and your metabolism slows to
a crawl. Lean tissue is threatened.
And
of course, there's always battle with hunger. Of course, you're not actually supposed to ever be hungry on the Protein Power diet, but if you follow it to the letter, you will be.
If
you're going to try the Protein Power diet, I suggest you ignore the protein
requirements chart and the daily caloric intake limits. Eat when
you want, and don't ever go hungry. The important aspect of this
diet is the severe reduction, and elimination of simple carbohydrates.
If you can manage this, you'll be able to eat all the meat, eggs,
and cheese in the world and still be successful on this diet.
The
Protein Power diet shares many similarities with Dr Atkins' Diet.
To learn more about carbohydrate-reducing diets, click
here to read my review of the Atkins diet...
