Sorting Through The World of Diets: Real Nutrition for Real Health

Lynn Goldstein, MS, RD, CDNThe Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health

Diet Statistics 66.3% of adults over age 20 are overweight or

obese 17% of adolescents age 12-19 are overweight 19% of children age 6-11 are overweight 25% of American men and 45% of American

women are on a diet on any given day 95% of all dieters will regain their lost weight in

1-5 years American spend over $40 billion on dieting and

diet-related products each year.

Health Risks Associated with Obesity Heart disease/stroke High blood pressure Diabetes Cancer (uterine, gallbladder, ovarian, cervical, breast,

colon, prostate, kidney, esophagus, stomach, liver and pancreas)

Gallbladder disease/gallstones Osteoarthritis Gout Breathing problems GERD

Other Nutritional Risk Factors for Cancer High intakes of animal fat may increase the risk of

breast, colon, prostate, and pancreas cancers Increased risk for colon cancer with inactivity, diets

low in fruits and vegetables, and high in red meat High intakes of alcohol may increase cancer risk for

mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver and breast Diets high in sodium may increase risk for stomach

cancer Smoking can increase your risk for lung and

pancreatic cancer

Overview

Atkins The Zone South Beach The Ornish Diet Weight Watchers USDA Food Guide Pyramid Lynn’s Opinion on the best way to eat

The Zone: Dr. Barry Sears Goal is to combat insulin resistance and alter

eicosanoid levels – hormonal messengers Eicosanoids are produced by the body and

influence blood clotting, blood pressure, immunity, and inflammation

Balance insulin:glucagon ratio. These are hormones produced by the pancreas that act in opposing ways to regulate blood sugar levels.

According to Sears when theses are in balance the body is better able to burn stored calories and prevent unwanted fat deposition

The Zone Diet Balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to keep

you in “The Zone” The Zone means keeping ones blood insulin at a low

and consistent level and this will suppress appetite and promote fat burning

40% carb, 30% protein, 30% fat, calories are restricted The protein to carbohydrate ratio of the diet: 0.75 or

3gm of protein for every 4gm of carb Control eicosanoids: hormones in the body that control

inflammation, immune system, and cellular activity. Affected by dietary fat

The Zone Plate

Divide your plate into thirds 1/3 is low fat protein 2/3 are fruits and vegetables Finally add in a healthy monounsaturated fat Each meal and snack should contain this balance The Zone Pyramid: base is vegetables followed by

fruits, low fat proteins, monounsaturated fats and at the top is grains and starches

The Zone Diet: Pros and Cons No long term studies to support the theory that the 40-

30-30 ratio is necessary or more beneficial The Zone Diet is ultimately a calorie/portion controlled

diet, can be a very low calorie diet Can be confusing and complicated to follow Does emphasize fruits, vegetables, and high fiber foods Eliminates grains from the diet Does encourage exercise Does encourage multivitamins omega 3 fatty acid

supplements Does encourage healthy fats and proteins

Atkins Diet: Dr. Robert Atkins High protein, very high fat and very low

carbohydrate, unrestricted calories Maintain low insulin levels, which leads to

suppressed appetite, lower food consumption, and weight loss

Low insulin levels promote increased burning of fat for fuel and decrease fat storage

Leads to ketosis, burning of fat for fuel Promotes meat, cheese, eggs, poultry, fats and

limits fruit, vegetables and grains

Atkins Diet High saturated fat foods are not discouraged Low fruit and vegetable intake leading to a lack of

key vitamins, minerals, and fiber Protein/fat take longer to digest and to suppress

hunger leading to lower calorie intake and therefore weight loss

Does recommend vitamins/mineral supplements Does not address importance of regular exercise

The Dangers of the Atkins Diet Harvard study indicates that regular meat consumption

increased colon cancer risk by as much as 300% Harvard study indicates that women with the highest

intakes of animal fat had over a 75% greater risk for developing breast cancer

American Kidney Fund warns that high protein diets can lead to irreversible kidney damage

This type of diet can also increase your risk for constipation, diverticulosis, and colon cancer

Diets with high amounts of animal protein cause calcium loss from bone leading to osteoporosis and bone fractures

The South Beach Diet: Dr. Arthur Agatston Not all carbohydrates are created equal Emphasizes the right carbs and fats with emphasis on

promoting good health not just weight loss Main culprits in our diet are highly processed

carbohydrates found in baked goods, breads, snacks, soft drinks etc., which have been stripped of their fiber and nutrients

Decrease consumption of simple carbs, insulin resistance improves, weight decreases, metabolize carbohydrates properly

Cutting simple carbs also decreases triglyceride and cholesterol levels

South Beach Suggests avoiding low fat products because the fat is

replaced with carbohydrate Recommends healthy monounsaturated fatty acids

such as olive oil Promotes fruits, vegetables and grains in the final

stage 3 phases to the diet

– Phase I – total elimination of fruit, bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, sugar, alcohol, and baked goods

– Phase II – after 2 weeks you can begin adding back some restricted foods but in moderation

– Phase III – less restrictive once the weight has been lost

South Beach: Pros and Cons

Studies have shown and improvement in cholesterol levels and ratios as well as weight loss

Promotes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins and does not eliminate any food group

Teaches portion control, promotes whole unprocessed foods, and emphasizes differences amongst healthy and unhealthy proteins, fats, and carbohydrates

Promotes regular exercise

Why Do Low-Carb Diets Work? Water loss = weight loss Decreased appetite: fat metabolism creates

ketones which can decrease appetite Increased feeling of fullness: Fat and

Protein take longer to digest Reduced calories: low carb diets reduce

your overall calorie intake because they strictly limit the variety of foods you can eat.

Weight Watchers: Jean Nidetch Does not tell people what they can or can’t eat Educate people about food and encourage exercise Local support groups to help keep people

motivated Members keep track of the calories they eat in a

form of points The points allotted are assigned based on your

current weight and weight goal Foods are assigned point values, stay within your

point range and you loose weight

Weight Watchers

Ultimately a calorie restricted diet Promotes developing healthy eating habits Not meant to count points for the rest of

your life Cost to the plan includes a sign up fee,

$15/meeting, cost of packaged foods (optional), online service fees

The Ornish Diet: Dr. Dean Ornish Author of The Reversal Diet, The Prevention Diet,

and Eat More, Weigh less Diet plan to reverse/prevent heart disease Low fat diet/vegetarian diet 10% of calories come from fat, excludes all

animal products (except for eggs and low fat dairy), nuts, seeds, avocado, chocolate, olives, and coconuts

Oils are eliminated except a small amount of canola oil for cooking and oil that supplies omega 3 fatty acids

The Ornish Diet

Prohibits caffeine but allows moderate intake of alcohol, sugar, and salt

Promotes fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and high fiber foods

Diet alone is not sufficient to reverse heart disease and needs to be combined with exercise, yoga, meditation, stress reduction, and lifestyle changes

The Ornish Diet: Pros and Cons

AHA recommends a diet with 30% fat and the average American consumes a diet with 50% fat

Eliminates healthy fats as well as unhealthy fats Studies show vegetarians have lower rates of

disease Studies show this approach does work to lower

cholesterol, improve ratios and promote weight loss

The Ornish Diet: Pros and Cons

Very restrictive and difficult to maintain Too low in fat and does not provide enough

essential fatty acids Does promote taking vitamin supplements,

fish oil supplements Promotes exercise, stress relief and lifestyle

changes Low fat products tend to be high in sugar

and calories

USDA Food Guide Pyramid

www.mypyramid.gov

Old Food Pyramid

What Are Whole Foods?

Eat foods that are closest to their natural form

Limit processed foods Avoid sugar substitutes Learn to read package labels; Don’t

consume foods if you don’t know what the ingredients are

Whole Foods

Whole Foods

Exception to the Rule

Professional Dietary Recommendations The number one recommendation of the AICR is a

plant based diet The number one recommendation of the World

Cancer Research Fund is a plant based diet The number one recommendation of the NCI and

the WHO is eat more fruits and vegetables The number one recommendation of the ACS is

eat more plant based foods and less meat

Which Plan Is Right? Include a variety of foods including vegetables,

fruits, grains, lean protein sources including animal protein, soy, legumes, etc.

Include foods you like to eat Include foods that are accessible to you Fit your lifestyle and budget Include the correct nutrients and calories to help you

loose weight safely Should encourage regular physical activity Plan should not make unrealistic promises like

loosing 30 lbs in 30 days

Questions?

Please Consult Your Doctor

Before beginning any new nutritional or weight loss program, please consult your doctor

For people with certain health conditions, some foods discussed in this seminar may not be appropriate.