Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet

Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet! The term itself is self explanatory to a good extent. It is a diet program tailor made for all those who love devouring carbohydrate rich food. According to Rachael Heller, MD, and Richard Heller, MD, the founders of Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet, excess carbohydrate in the food leads to higher insulin levels and hence less burning of fat, which in turn results in increased storage of fat alongside inducing a craving for more food. Things go from bad to worse as the person responds to the body and eats more food, and this cycle eventually leads to obesity and other health issues. Carbohydrate addict’s diet tries to disturb this unhealthy eating pattern and put in place a more balanced approach.

So, what the carbohydrate addict’s diet plan will look like? For the first few weeks, the dieter’s diet will consist of two complimentary meals made up of 3-4 ounces of fish, meat, or fowl or two ounce cheese, and about two cups of salads or vegetables. The third meal of the day is the ‘reward meal’, which can be stuffed with virtually any victual that the dieter wishes. The dieter can even have a glass of wine or beer or a cocktail for the ‘reward meal’. But, it is highly recommended that this meal also be made nourishing and balanced as much as possible. Also, there is a time limit before which the ‘reward meal’ must be finished (one hour). You can take your time to enjoy your food, but don’t stretch it too far.

After the induction plan – the first 14 days – the diet splits into separate plans – four in fact – depending upon the weight loss the dieter want to achieve in the coming weeks. But the basic structure of two complimentary meals and one reward meal continues, the change only being in the ingredients of each meal. The exact food items to be included in the diet plan can be obtained from the carbohydrate addict’s diet plan guide by the founders. But, as a thumb rule, keep in mind that any victual with more than 4gm of carbohydrate per portion can only be part of the ‘reward meal’. Also, alcohol, sugary drinks, fruit juices, breads, pasta, and milk must be saved for the ‘reward meal’. The diet plan also urges the dieters to exercise regularly and drink lots of water during the diet period.

However, despite its popularity, there is wide spread criticism to this diet program from the medical fraternity, which fears that following carbohydrate addict’s diet plan for longer periods could lead to potential health issues such as colon cancer and osteoporosis, kidney function loss, and heart ailments due to increased cholesterol. Also, nutritionists are not convinced with the Heller’s’ ‘carbohydrate addiction’ theory, which they say is a medical condition called ‘metabolic syndrome’, and that has a number of causes including obesity itself.

Hence, on a safer side, it is advisable that before choosing the carbohydrate addict’s diet plan, or any other diet program in that regard, take your doctor’s advice. He/she may have some valuable suggestions to add as well.