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It was reported this week that a new study has found a connection between the new “Eco-Atkins” diet and fat loss with lower cholesterol levels.
The Atkins Diet, the infamous eating plan where one eats very little fruit, vegetables, pasta or bread and swaps them for high amounts of animal based protein, does not work for very long.
Yes, in the short term, people have lost weight eating a low carbohydrate diet high in meat, eggs and dairy products. But in return they also saw their LDL levels sky rocket. Not a good thing, especially if one already has coronary heart disease. Meat, eggs and dairy products all have high levels of saturated fat. Eat too much for too long and you will end up overweight with high cholesterol. Atkins himself reportedly died at 258 lbs!
The Eco-Atkins diet is still a low carbohydrate, high protein diet. However, instead of animal based protein, plant based protein sources are consumed instead.
In the new study that was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, participants who followed this way of eating lost 8.8 lbs in four weeks, decreased LDL levels and improved ratios of total cholesterol to HDLs, and saw a decrease in blood pressure.
It has been reported that meat-eaters have three times the obesity rate of vegetarians and nine times the obesity rate of vegans. Why not see for yourself? Here is a list of foods to enjoy and avoid should you have interest in test driving the Eco-Atkins diet:
Enjoy: Plant based proteins: soy products, lentils, legumes, seeds and nuts, spirulina, chlorella, sprouted seeds, quinoa, amaranth, flax seed, oat bran, kamut.
Avoid: Animal based proteins: meat, eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt, ice cream
Click here to read about the top 5 vegetarian weight loss mistakes people make.
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Hey- I have a few questions… doesn't soy itself have quite a lot of bad associations ( negative effects on thyroid and metabolism, linked with breast and cervical cancer)
also- since most vegan's/vegetarians don't get enough protein, over all they are going to be lighter but it's really not a good comparison. By association people that eat a lot of red meat often don't care about their health. So they are more likely to eat trans fats, lots of saturated fats, soda, candy, etc.
It's an unfair assumption to say that someone who eats meat is 3 times more likely to be obese, when in actuality, those who are careless about their food choices would more likely. Also- you mention that this statistic has been reported. Do you happen to have a link to this study? I'd be very interested in reading it.
Just as there are healthy vegans/vegetarians there are plenty of healthy meat eaters as well, evidence shows it really doesn't come down to if you eat meat or not, it has more to do with other "good choices" one makes about their food.
I've red studies supporting both sides, I'm mostly wondering how soy is a justifiable meat substitute (for health reasons) when there is so much evidence suggesting otherwise?
The scope of this blog was to report findings of a recent study on a plant based diet and its affects on fat loss and LDL levels.
Soy was merely mentioned as a possible plant based protein source. While the consumption of soy is certainly controversial these days, I am not sure that adding a few cubes of tofu to your stir fry or having a cup of miso soup every once in a while is going to have any severe consequences. The issues arise when one consumes copious amounts of processed foods that have added soy or isoflavones. Isoflavones, the flavonoid in soy that all the buzz was once about, are endocrine disruptors that mimic the action of estrogen. Our bodies know how to handle the small amounts of isoflavones naturally occuring in tofu. Feed it soy nuts by the bagful or food bars containing concentrated levels of isoflavones and the body may not know what to do with it all. I am no soy expert, but I would say excess soy intake should be avoided, but a little naturally occuring soy now and again should not hurt you. There are plenty of other good, plant based protein food choices for one to choose from to ensure adequate protein in their diet.
When looking for a way of eating that will keep LDL levels in check, a diet low in saturated fats should be followed. Saturated fat is primarilly found in animal products.
Vegans and Vegetarians DO get enough protein! Especially if they make the correct choices. It is a big misconception that plant-based diets to not include enough protein. I have been vegetarian for 3 years and vegan for the last 6 months, I get plenty of protein and I am at a healthy weight.
Making good choices is true for everyone, vegans and meat eaters.
Here is a list of some reading materials:
The China Study
The Face on Your Plate
What We Eat, Why Our Food Choices Matter