Low carb diets have been all the rage recently, and while we know they can help you lose weight quickly, low carb diets are not a proven solution for lasting weight loss. Furthermore, the jury is still out on the damage low carb diets may do to your long-term health. Through years of scientific and medical research, we do know the harmful effects of high fat, high cholesterol and high sodium intake all of which are present in low carb diets.

It's Healthy
The FoodFit Plan was developed by the University of California Davis Medical Center, and is based on the National Academy of Sciences' guidelines to ensure healthy weight loss. This chart shows how the FoodFit Plan stacks up against two popular low carb diets and the 2000 U.S. Dietary Guidelines.

It's Balanced
With low carb diets, like South Beach and Atkins, you maintain the same level of nutrient intake through the course of a phase, which often translates to a very regimented diet with less variety. Following and sticking with most popular low carb diets can be very difficult. The FoodFit Plan is designed to provide a variety of foods and nutrients from day to day, so you have more flexibility and a greater chance of not only losing weight, but also keeping it off.

It's Personalized
Instead of a regimented phase that lasts a defined time period, like the South Beach and Atkins diets, the FoodFit Plan offers different calorie plans based on the results of your personalized FoodFit Profile. Beyond just a focus on how much weight you want to lose and by when, the FoodFit Profile is a detailed analysis of your diet and nutrition habits in 10 key areas. Developed with the American Society for Clinical Nutrition, it is designed to help you learn good eating habits and make smart choices.

Hight fat is a risk factor for: • Heart disease
• High cholesterol
• Liver and kidney damage
• Some cancers, like breast
   cancer and colon cancer
• Osteoporosis
Hight cholesterol is a risk factor for: • Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
High sodium is a risk factor for: • Heart disease
• Stroke
• High blood pressure


FoodFit 1500 Calorie Plan South Beach Phase 1 Atkins Induction Phase 2000 U.S. Dietary Guidelines
 Total Calories 1500 1542 1558 < 2000
 Fat 16% 52% 69% 30%
 Carbs 63% 22% 11% 60%
 Protein 21% 26% 20% 10%
 Fiber 20 g 17 g 15 g 25 g
 Cholesterol 82 mg 281 mg 697 mg < 300 mg
 Sodium 1752 mg 3147 mg 2855 mg < 2400 mg

Sources: The South Beach Diet book and the Atkins website.  





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