Is Carb Rotation Diet Right For You?

There have a buzz of weight loss programs these last few years, from the safe to the downright dangerous. Americans have spent $33 billion annually in the hope to attain the perfect health and perfect figure. Yet, the obesity level has increased steadily over the years.

Companies producing these products, in the meantime have enjoyed the profits from the overwhelming and never ending demands for new improved products promising quick weight loss schemes without exercise and a change in healthy lifestyle. Some of the more popular and lasting weight loss programs to grace the market are: Weight Watchers, The Atkins Diet, The Pritikin Principle, and The Carbohydrate's Addict Principle and The Zone Diet.

Many people whom I have spoken to swear by the low carbohydrate diet. They restrict carbs throughout the day, everyday and would just nibble on meat and vegetables. Many of them lose weight rapidly and many of them jump off the wagon within a few weeks due to fatigue, listlessness, difficulty in focusing and feeling sickly. Staying on a low carb diet for long periods of time will produce ketosis. This is the state when the liver converts fat excessively into fatty acids and ketone bodies. This is not the ideal energy source for the body. Glucose is. Ketosis is a crisis reaction of the body due to lack of carbohydrates in the diet. The dangers of ketosis are still under research.

What exactly is Carb Rotation Diet? This diet is developed by a registered dietitian and personal trainer named Jayson Hunter who has helped hundreds develop healthy eating habits in the span of 10 years. Hunter claims to be able to make you lose 2lbs a week if you follow this program for 30 days and some have even managed to lose 15 lbs. His principles in the program are as follows:

The concept
The Carb Rotation Diet has a 3-day cycle.
Day 1 is a high carb/mid protein & vegetables day; Day 2 is a low carb/mid protein & vegetables day;
Day 3 is a no carb/all protein & vegetables day.
Day 4-Day 6 is a repeat of Day 1 to Day 3

This is to ensure that the body's metabolism is burning efficiently all day.

Eat Whole Grain Carbohydrates
Choose only wholegrain versions of bread, pasta and cereals to control insulin levels as large amounts of insulin promote fat storage. Eat sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes and stay away from the sauces. Eat brown or wild rice instead of white rice.

Eat Nutrient-Rich Vegetables
Limit starchy vegetables like corn to increase fiber intake. Fiber fills you up and promotes colon health. It also takes more energy to digest fibrous vegetables. The higher serving of vegetables you consume, the more weight loss you will achieve.

Consume Lean Protein
Learn to buy leaner cuts of beef and pork and choose white meats over dark meats for poultry. Seafood, including fatty fish like salmon should be a regular part of the diet. Limit egg yolk but consume more egg whites daily. Select low or nonfat dairy products.

Consume Heart Friendly Fats
These are the polysatured & monosaturated fats. These fats protect the heart, cushion your organs and transport fat-soluble vitamins to your cells. Sources of good fats can be found in extra virgin olive oil, nuts, salmon and omega 3 supplements

Eat Frequently
We should target to eat 5-6 mini meals a day. Each meal should include a portion of carbs, proteins and vegetables and some fats.

Water
Drink 1 oz for every 2lbs of body weight. This will flush toxins out of your body, clear your skin and help you in your weight loss plan.

Exercise
Engage in strength training exercises for the whole body at least twice a week and add cardiovascular training for at least 20 minutes 3 times a week.

This program is a sound one which incorporates a variety of healthy food choices from all food groups. It won't hurt to try it at least once.