17 Day Diet

Another Fad?  Another Ruse?

When considering where or who you are going to get your information from for weight or habit management, always consider the source.  Ask yourself some questions, What does the source have to gain?  Who endorses?  Who doesn't?  What are their credentials and education background?

Many who purport to be an expert have high credentials, but not in the correct areas.  This can be said about the author of the new "17 Day Diet".  There are usually some good things mixed in with drivel.  Overall, though, procede with caution.  See the review on WebMD for yourself; http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/17-day-diet-review?page=3 .

Most people don't realize or even consider the consequences, they just want to find success.  Usually, quick fix with less effort.  Research suggests that failures with diet hamper future success (probably makes sense).  It becomes a mental battle where the wannabe losers feel hopeless at some point.  The second concern is that if the new found waistline doesn't last, the up and down yo-yo dieting can actually be more unhealthy than just being obese.  And that's is saying something!

Ok, back to the 17 Day Diet specifically.  The diet has restrictions that most nutritionist would not agree with.  The diet has a limit of 1200 calories per day.  Caloric restriction should not be so general.  Everyone has a different metabolism and their diet should be constructed accordingly.  Secondly, that number is too small for most adult males.  Restricting the diet too aburtly or too much can actually cause the metabolism to decrease, meaning that you burn less calories throughout the day.  Most men need aleast 1500 calories per day.  The diet also restricts how much fruit you can eat.  It suggests only 2 servings a day, much less than the current reccomendation of 4-5 servings.

The 17 Day Diet also says that you can have all of the lean protein you want.  That is also not a good idea.  The body can only handle a certain amount of protein before it either storage, execretes or filters the rest.  Filtering protein is taxing on the kidneys and can produce future issues.  The diet will create a loss in lean mass (much like the Adkin's) due to the carbohydrate restrictions.  That potential loss of muscle also creates a loss of stored water.  The scale will look great, but only be temperary.  When you, hopefully, gain muscle back, you will also restore that water and glycogen.

The MD author, not a dietician, uses caloric confusion to set the metabolism.  Sounds great, but there is no such thing.  Science does not support his claims.  Other claims do have beneifts.  Eat more veggies, more fiber, be mindful of simple carbs, lean protein choices, and do more activity. 

Long story short, the Diet is concerning becuase the author is promoting it under false pretenses and short term success.  Like any other thing worth doing, do weight managment right.