According to a press release today, a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that people who followed a Mediterranean diet, one rich in olive oil, nuts, beans, fish, fruits and vegetables, lowered their risk of heart attacks, strokes and deaths by 30 percent versus those that followed a low-fat diet. Another popular diet, The Atkins Diet™, is built upon vegetables, healthy fats like olive oil and avocado, protein, and after two weeks, nuts and berries. Once goal weight is obtained, beans and whole grains are introduced.
While the Mediterranean diet is good, the Atkins Diet also controls carbohydrate intake. This can lead to more weight loss and better heart health.
Basically, a diet is what a person routinely eats. No change in diet that leads to rapid weight loss is healthy nor sustainable. For a person to lose weight and improve overall health, their diet must contain needed nutrients, be appealing in taste and be safe for the long haul.
"These studies add further confidence that diets high in healthy fats and low in refined carbohydrates can be superior to a low-fat diet," said Colette Heimowitz, vice president of nutrition and education for Atkins Nutritionals, Inc." Heimowitz referred to a 2008 study and the more recent 2013 study.
The studies also confirm that processed foods such as baked goods, white bread, sugar, chips and sodas are very unhealthy, leading to weight gain. As a rule, the more whole, natural foods included in the diet, the better overall health will be.
The Adkins Diet won't leave people hungry, making them more vulnerable to cheating. Many recipes can be altered to make them less calorie-dense without sacrificing taste. Knowing there is a large selection of foods available to choose from makes a dramatic change less painful.
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