A Look at Today’s Popular Diets

Scientists, medical professionals, and

nutritionists are now coming to

understand the complex nature of

weight control, muscle fitness, and

nutritional health.

Genetics, along with dietary choices

and exercise, work together to shape

our health and physique.

Choosing a diet with the right balance

of nutrients and determining the time of

day your body responds best to exercise

are part of developing a diet and fitness

routine that works for you.

In centuries past people ate what they

could produce locally, and these foods

became part of the traditional cuisine of the

region.

Today we live in a highly globalized society

with an abundance of different kinds of

foods, which can make it tricky to know

which diet is best.

The key is choosing a diet that helps you

maintain optimum health and fitness.

We’ll take a look at some of the different

popular diets and their purported benefits.

Different diets benefit people in

different ways. Some people have

gluten sensitivities or other food allergies,

some have faster metabolisms, and

some people exercise constantly while

others only occasionally.

It’s important to identify and eliminate

food allergens and determine what

works best for your body in terms of:

• Keeping weight off

• Retaining muscle mass

• Getting the right balance of nutrients

for optimum health

Gluten has become a hot topic in recent

years. The sticky, stretchy substance is found

in wheat bread, wheat pastas, rye, and

barley, as well as many processed foods.

Soy sauce, for example, is made with wheat,

which means it contains gluten. Some people,

including those with celiac disease, have a

specific gluten allergy.

In recent years, gluten has been suspected of

causing a host of problems in the human

body, even in those with no known gluten

allergies, leading many to adopt a gluten-free

diet. Many people on gluten-free diets report

losing weight rapidly and feeling better within

weeks.

The idea behind the Paleo diet is to eat as our

ancestors did for literally millions of years before

agriculture. This means, to the extent possible,

eating what our ancestors would have been able

to hunt and gather, including:

• Meat

• Seafood and fish

• Lots of fiber from non-starchy fruits and

vegetables (e.g. leafy greens, berries)

• Few carbohydrates (especially from grains,

sugar and starchy foods)

The Paleo diet has a lower energy density than

the traditional American diet, which proponents

argue is a good thing, as the typical American diet

is associated with high levels of chronic disease.

More than 50 million Americans are

lactose intolerant, and around 70% of

the world’s population has some level of

lactose intolerance.

It is reported that many Americans report

trouble in digesting dairy. Symptoms

include digestive upset, bloating, sinus

congestion and mood disorders.

Considering these numbers, it’s not

surprising that many people opt to

eliminate dairy altogether from their diets.

Proponents of a dairy-free diet say that it

is effective for weight loss and, somewhat

counterintuitively, leads to stronger bones,

according to a Harvard study.

Vegetarians typically eliminate meat, poultry and seafood from their diets, but they may still eat eggs and dairy. Vegans eat no animal products whatsoever. This means no eggs, no dairy, and, for many, no honey either.

Proponents of vegetarian/vegan diets say that the elimination of meat and dairy can have significant benefits. Medical evidence suggests that a vegetarian/vegan diet can reduce the risks of:

• Overweight and obesity

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD)

• High blood pressure

• Type 2 diabetes

• Some cancers

• Gallstones and kidney stones

The philosophy behind the raw foods diet can be summed this way: “If you cook it, you kill it.” The idea is that heating foods destroys important enzymes and nutrients naturally found in foods.

Some proponents of a raw foods diet believe that cooking makes food toxic and claim that a raw foods diet can boost immunity, clear up allergies, and improve conditions like arthritis and diabetes.

A raw foods diet includes a variety of organic, unprocessed, and uncooked whole foods including:

• Raw fruits • Raw vegetables • Sprouted grains • Nuts and seeds

Those who favor a low-sugar diet claim that added

sugar (not the kind found naturally in foods like fruit)

can be toxic, even moderate quantities. This is because

of sugar’s unique molecular structure, which is made

up of one part glucose and one part fructose.

Glucose is metabolized by all the organs in the body,

while fructose is metabolized exclusively by the

liver. Too much fructose can overtax the liver and other

organs, leading to metabolic syndrome (which can lead

to diseases like Type 2 diabetes).

Sugar consumption has increased tremendously in the

American diet in recent decades, and too much of the

sweet stuff is linked with an increased risk of disease.

One caveat to consumption of added

sugars revolves around exercise.

Vigorous exercise depletes muscle glycogen

stores, which fuel the body. Replenishing

glycogen stores by eating carbohydrates

(including sugars), is important before, during

and after exercise to prevent “bonking” or

“hitting the wall.”

That’s why athletes and fitness enthusiasts

use supplements and nutrition bars like

those made by Promax Nutrition™ to fuel

their bodies as part of their exercise routines.

Since 1996, Promax Nutrition™ has been making some of the

best-selling protein energy bars. The company has developed a

reputation in the industry for high-quality, great-tasting protein

bars that offer trusted nutrition. With a wide range of products,

Promax® is more committed than ever to developing innovative,

convenient, and portable nutrition products for active people

striving to stay fit and achieve a healthy lifestyle.

For more information, please visit

www.promaxnutrition.com.

1. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

2. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/prevalence-maps.html

3. http://www.nature.com/scitable/blog/green-science/air_pollution_and_obesity

4. http://authoritynutrition.com/paleo-diet-meal-plan-and-menu/

5. http://www.godairyfree.org/news/dairy-free-benefits

6. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/763435_2

7. http://www.webmd.com/diet/raw-foods-diet

8. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyEati

ng/Added-Sugars-Add-to-Your-Risk-of-Dying-from-Heart-

Disease_UCM_460319_Article.jsp