Protein Diet: Why Have Millions Chosen It as Their Own?

The protein diet is currently the world’s biggest hit, and much of the credit goes to Michael R. Eades and Mary Dan Eades, who revealed several important nutritional secrets in their book, supported by scientific explanations and research results. It's no surprise, then, that the book has been at the top of the New York Times bestseller list for several weeks.

And why is the protein diet so very different from all previous ones?

The key is to eat extremely few carbohydrates, which is also a feature of LCHF (you can find more about LCHF at LCHF for Beginners). This drastically lowers insulin levels in the body, while the body produces more glucagon, which is very effective at breaking down fats. The authors say that if you stick to this diet long enough, excess fat will start to melt away on its own. It is important that the body is saturated with glucagon.

On the protein diet, you can eat fish, poultry, red meat, low-fat cheeses (feta, mozzarella, etc.), eggs, tofu, leafy greens, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, eggplant, zucchini, green beans, celery, cucumbers, mushrooms, and more. The diet recommends consuming 25 grams of fiber per day (for reference: a cup of whole grain pasta contains 6 grams of fiber).

Some fats are also allowed: olive oil, avocado, butter.

During the diet, you are allowed to drink a glass of wine or light beer per day, but you must be sure to include the calories in your daily quota, which you must not exceed.

The authors also particularly highlight the importance of potassium, of which you need to consume at least 90 milligrams daily.

How demanding is the protein diet?

The diet is of medium difficulty, but the key is to consume a lot of protein and zero carbohydrates. The main characteristics are:

• Low-carbohydrate diets usually mean you will have to make radical changes to your daily meals. It’s worth it.
  
• Once you look around a bit, especially at restaurant menus, you’ll find many dishes that fit this diet (of course, skip the side dishes, which are usually full of carbohydrates).
  
• The authors constantly mention a healthy amount of exercise (usually about 5,000 steps), which speeds up the burning of subcutaneous fat.
  
• If you are a vegetarian or vegan, you will need to eat more tofu and plant-based proteins.

The protein-based way of eating is suitable for people with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and high cholesterol. Unfortunately, this diet also has its dark side. Too much protein raises uric acid levels, which can cause gout in the joints, and for people with kidney problems, complications can occur. This is a diet for healthy people.

What about results?

Any diet that cuts out one major food group is problematic and difficult to follow. But, along with firmer and better health, this diet can get you close to your ideal weight in two months, your well-being will also improve, and above all, it is the best long-term investment in your own health. We must not forget that processed artificial carbohydrates are very harmful, and even more dangerous are the additives found in prepared industrial meals.


Information on this website is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.