Do protein diets really work?

[Anonymous]

Do diets that are mainly protein really work? I know some people who are on a protein diet...a lot of cheese, meat, eggs, fish, nuts. Pretty much no carbs, very little sugar, limited sauces, limited fruit, but a lot of vegetables as well.

The people on these diets don't seem to be losing much weight to me, and I also think that eating a lot of cheese tends to make me feel fat and bloated.

Also, I hear that high protein and low carb/fruit etc makes you constipated and you will feel all bloated and retaining water if you go on a protein diet.

Is this true?

[madmisskelly]

They do, bt they don't at the same time.

Many athletes use all protein diets to make sure they have a low body fat percentage and keep in shape. Even they eat SOME carbs though- salad, maybe a bit of fruit, but veggies and maybe some brown rice.

There is a danger. Carbohydrates are your body's first choice in energy. Your body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which is used to make energy in your body, as well as fuel for the brain.

Your body can turn protein and fat into glucose, but its risky.

With fat, the breakdown is glycerol and fatty acids, and the breakdown include Ketones. These in excess in the body is toxic, and can lead to Ketosis, and eventually ketoacidosis, which both CAN be fatal.

Your body can use protein, which this is where a protein diet comes into play. If you do not have enough protein coming in, your body can start to feed on its own muscles, this tends to happen on crash and starvation diets. A combination of the fat breakdown and protein breakdown happens.

If you intend on going on one, you do need to make sure you meet your caloric needs, which can mean eating A LOT of meat and cheese and eggs.

[candlewax]

Eff those protein diets. That's all I gotta say. They're over hyped and have too many questionable things going on with them. Your body needs carbs in order to function, ESPECIALLY when working out. The only reason carbs are given a bad name because people in America have no control over themselves and overload on carbs (hamburgers, pizza, soft drinks, all the stuff people love to splurge on). It's all in moderation.

Like mentioned already, a balanced diet is what works. You need veggies, fruit, and all that noise. Carbs are fine as long as they aren't in excess. Excess is what converts to fat. Too much protein can be rough on the kidneys and cause ketosis which isn't always a good thing.

Balanced diet + exercise = weight loss/maintaining a healthy weight.

[cavmanier]

High protein is bad for you. It causes bone loss, lack of nutrients, energy problems and constipation. Carbs is what gives you energy. Eat complete carbs so only brown rice, whole grains, or fruit type carbs. The simple carbs like from white bread or white rice will absorb in your bloodstream fast and be turned into fat. Don't listen to diet gimmics. If you want to lose weight stick to a healthy diet. Avoid high fat or high sugar foods like junk foods, butter and such. Of course you can be junk every now and again. Once you get use to good food you won't want it though. Being healthy takes work though. The infomercials are wrong.

Yes people can lose weight with low amounts of calories no matter what they eat. If you eat only 2 candy bars a day you will lose weight too but will become malnutritioned.

[Cptn_Clutch]

The best diet is a well balanced one low in saturated fats, i.e. potato chips, french fries, etc. From there you can reduce or increase intake depending on your caloric needs. You should check out bodybuilding.com. It is a great resource for all kinds of diet questions, not just those looking to get buff.

[Deft_maiden]

short term they do. but you got weight in long term. Cutting out food groups will have unfavorable consequences.

If you want to jump start your weight loss then go ahead but after a couple weeks you need to go back to a balanced diet and control your portions along with exercise.

I never did it tho and I would seek a nutritionist advise first.

[DonMichelle]

They can but you need to exercise aswell. Don't cut the carbs out, just have them in a morning, before exercise. Have protein shakes, not lots of meat, you'll become constipated and have the breath of a thousand arseholes

[Brando]

That's because protein diets aren't meant for losing weight, but are used by gym go-ers to gain weight :P

[cavmanier]

Used by companies to sell protein since the health hype in the 80s, but there's little to no proof that more than the daily recommended amount of 20% will add muscle faster. Don't tell that to the gym selling drinks with 45g of protein in it for close to $5. Even though over 1/2 of that protein will be turned into fat

[Brando]

For my weight, turning into fat or storing protein both would work for me.

[Anonymous]

Don't change your diet by flooding it with one thing or another. Exercise and *balancing* your diet are the most effective means of dieting. They're just not the most fun.

[WoIIie]

Eating too much red meat will make you constipated.

[Caustic_Fox]

high protein and fat diets with low carbs are good

super high protein and little of anything else not so much

[funkadelic5]

I lost like 90 lbs on a high-protein diet.