Key to diet is calorie reduction, not carbs or fat

A new study claims that despite the popularity of low carb diets like Atkins and low fat diets like Weight Watchers, the key to dieting is simply reducing calories not reducing the KIND of calories in your diet.

The main finding from the trial was that diets with varying emphases on carbohydrate, fat and protein levels all achieved clinically meaningful weight loss and maintenance of weight loss over a two-year period. "These results show that, as long as people follow a heart-healthy, reduced-calorie diet, there is more than one nutritional approach to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight," said Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D., Director, NHLBI.

Another important finding was that participants who regularly attended counseling sessions lost more weight than those who didn't. Dieters who attended two thirds of sessions over two years lost about 22 pounds of weight as compared to the average weight loss of 9 pounds. "These findings suggest that continued contact with participants to help them achieve their goals may be more important than the macronutrient composition of their diets," said Sacks.

My experience with weight loss says this study simplifies things considerably. The key is not to find the one diet that works for everyone, but to find the one that works for you. Each body and mind are different. For some, it is key to be able to "cheat" every once in a while with a sugary snack (Advantage: Weight Watchers). For others, it is key to be able to feel full all time time (Advantage: Atkins). For stil others, it is key to be able to appear to be eating normally, so that others are not aware of the diet (Advantage: simple calorie restriction). My body reacts better with no sugar and reduced carbs. Find what works for you. Don't worry about what is hot now, or what worked for your buddy. And on't neglect exercise!