It is similar to non-fat Greek yogurt, but it has higher sodium and higher calories. But cottage cheese has lower sugar (lactose), which is the only thing that really matters.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Cottage Cheese
It is similar to non-fat Greek yogurt, but it has higher sodium and higher calories. But cottage cheese has lower sugar (lactose), which is the only thing that really matters.
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Why the South Beach Diet doesn't work
You won't lose any weight after the first phase because you are eating too many carbs and too often. Six times a day is too much. Instead you should do some intermittent fasting.
The Stillman Diet
This is an annoying video with a robotic voice, but it is one of the only videos on YouTube about the Stillman diet. It is practically identical to the Dukan and South Beach diets. It first came out in 1967. Here is a description: "The animal based high-protein diet includes lean beef, veal, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs and non-fat cottage cheese. Spices, tabasco sauce, herbs, salt, and pepper are also allowed. Condiments, butter, dressings and any kind of fat or oil are not permitted."
La phase d'attaque du régime Dukan
I don't understand any French but I feel more sophisticated for watching this. The attack phase of the Dukan diet explained by its creator, Dr Pierre Dukan.
Tuna Diet
I first heard of this when reading about Christian Bale's dramatic weight loss for The Mechanic. He ate only 1 can of tuna and 1 apple per day for 4 months.
This version of the Tuna diet comes from body builder Dave Draper. First take your body weight in pounds. That is how many grams of protein you need per day. A single 5.5 ounce of tuna has 20-22 grams of protein. So for a 200-lb person, you would need to eat about 10 cans of tuna, spread over 6 meals. So eat 1.5 cans of tuna for each meal. You also need branch-chain amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and metamucil. And water, liters and liters. Do this for 3 days. Later in the week add salad and low-fat dairy, like low-fat cottage cheese.
This sounds very similar to the Dukan/South Beach diet plan. What do the haters have to say about it?
Fails to provide adequate calories. It slows your metabolism, impairs muscle mass, is unsustainable and fails to improve body composition.
It can cause mercury poisoning. It's dangerous.
It's short-term. It only last 3 days, which makes it a fad diet.
Rabbit starvation. (After 3 days, I think not.)
To me, it sounds like someone is jealous. I think this is worth a try. Although I can't eat 10 cans of tuna a day.
This version of the Tuna diet comes from body builder Dave Draper. First take your body weight in pounds. That is how many grams of protein you need per day. A single 5.5 ounce of tuna has 20-22 grams of protein. So for a 200-lb person, you would need to eat about 10 cans of tuna, spread over 6 meals. So eat 1.5 cans of tuna for each meal. You also need branch-chain amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and metamucil. And water, liters and liters. Do this for 3 days. Later in the week add salad and low-fat dairy, like low-fat cottage cheese.
This sounds very similar to the Dukan/South Beach diet plan. What do the haters have to say about it?
Fails to provide adequate calories. It slows your metabolism, impairs muscle mass, is unsustainable and fails to improve body composition.
It can cause mercury poisoning. It's dangerous.
It's short-term. It only last 3 days, which makes it a fad diet.
Rabbit starvation. (After 3 days, I think not.)
To me, it sounds like someone is jealous. I think this is worth a try. Although I can't eat 10 cans of tuna a day.
Monday, January 20, 2020
Review of the Daniel Fast
I have been trying to follow the Daniel fast and have been failing, mostly because I keep eating a small amount of meat. The basic idea of the Daniel fast is that you eat fruit and vegetables only.
Home page: https://www.daniel-fast.com/ and https://ultimatedanielfast.com/
This is mostly done for spiritual purposes and is meant to be followed for 21 days.
Here are the features:
restricts salt? no
allows olive or vegetable oil? yes. It says "quality oils" so no canola or vegetable oil. Also no butter or lard.
emphasizes low-fat or no-fat dairy? no. No dairy allowed.
allows cheese? no
Include lean meat? no
Allow beans? yes, it calls them legumes
Emphasize starch (rice and potatoes)? yes. Well, it doesn't emphasize them, but they are allowed. But no processed potatoes - no french fries or potato chips.
Limit calories to 1200 (or 1500) per day? no, this has no calories counting as long as the plan is followed
Encourage fiber in the form of wheat germ or flax seed? yes. (well it is not specifically encouraged, but it is allowed.
Limits bread? yes. Grains are allowed but nothing with yeast. Flatbread is ok.
Limits fruit? no, no limitation on fruit.
Limits sugar? yes, sugar not allowed nor is honey
Allows sugar substitutes? no, no artificial sweeteners allowed.
Restricts coffee? yes. It also restricts tea, with water the only beverage allowed.
Were clinical studies performed? no
This is a variation of a vegan diet because meat and dairy are not allowed.
Criticisms of the Daniel fast.
It is lacking in nutrients. It doesn't include enough protein or fat and could lead to dangerous defiencies.
Home page: https://www.daniel-fast.com/ and https://ultimatedanielfast.com/
This is mostly done for spiritual purposes and is meant to be followed for 21 days.
Here are the features:
restricts salt? no
allows olive or vegetable oil? yes. It says "quality oils" so no canola or vegetable oil. Also no butter or lard.
emphasizes low-fat or no-fat dairy? no. No dairy allowed.
allows cheese? no
Include lean meat? no
Allow beans? yes, it calls them legumes
Emphasize starch (rice and potatoes)? yes. Well, it doesn't emphasize them, but they are allowed. But no processed potatoes - no french fries or potato chips.
Limit calories to 1200 (or 1500) per day? no, this has no calories counting as long as the plan is followed
Encourage fiber in the form of wheat germ or flax seed? yes. (well it is not specifically encouraged, but it is allowed.
Limits bread? yes. Grains are allowed but nothing with yeast. Flatbread is ok.
Limits fruit? no, no limitation on fruit.
Limits sugar? yes, sugar not allowed nor is honey
Allows sugar substitutes? no, no artificial sweeteners allowed.
Restricts coffee? yes. It also restricts tea, with water the only beverage allowed.
Were clinical studies performed? no
This is a variation of a vegan diet because meat and dairy are not allowed.
Criticisms of the Daniel fast.
It is lacking in nutrients. It doesn't include enough protein or fat and could lead to dangerous defiencies.
Comparison of Diets
There are a lot of diets that are very similar. I think you could have a number of columns that you could put an X in to describe a feature.
Features
======
Restrict salt?
Allow olive oil?
Allow vegetable oil?
Emphasize low-fat or nonfat dairy?
Allow cheese?
Include lean meat?
Allow beans?
Emphasize starch (rice and potatoes)
Limit calories to 1200 (or 1500) per day?
Encourage fiber in the form of wheat germ or flax seed?
Limits bread?
Limits fruit?
Limits sugar?
(more to follow)
List of Diets to review
===============
Vegan
Vegetarian
flexitarian
Daniel Plan
Whole30
Dash (also Dash/Med and Dash/Weight loss)
Mediterranean
Dukan diet
(more to follow)
I will review one per post and try to give each a fair shake.
Dukan Diet
The first one on the list is the Dukan Diet, because it is ranked last on the list of the US News and World Report Diets. The first on their list is the Mediterranean Diet. My thesis is that they are actually not that different.
Home page: https://www.dukandiet.com/
My impression of the Dukan Diet is that it is similar to the keto diet except it limits fat. It allows for unlimited lean protein. It avoids fat, for example: non-fat dairy only; no skin on chicken; only limited salad dressing. Phase One (Attack) doesn't allow any vegetables. It requires oat bran, presumably for the fiber. Phase Two (Cruise) allows vegetables on alternate days, but doesn't allow any bread.
The distinguishing characteristic of a Dukan diet is the emphasize on lean meat avoiding fat.
My comparison to the other diets is based on the Cruise phase days where vegetables are allowed:
restricts salt? no
allows olive or vegetable oil? no (except for 1 teaspoon daily for salad dressing)
emphasizes low-fat or no-fat dairy? yes
allows cheese? no (except for no-fat cottage cheese)
Include lean meat? yes
Allow beans? no, not on the Cruise phase
Emphasize starch (rice and potatoes)? no
Limit calories to 1200 (or 1500) per day? no, this has no calories counting as long as the plan is followed
Encourage fiber in the form of wheat germ or flax seed? yes
Limits bread? yes, bread not allowed until the consolidation phase
Limits fruit? yes, fruit not allowed until consolidation phase
Limits sugar? yes, sugar not allowed. Sugar substitutes are
What are the criticisms of the Dukan diet?
It is pricey. The food (only lean meat and non-fat dairy) is expensive. Plus you really should buy the book and get coaching at $29.95 per month.
No clinical trials. This is probably the biggest concern of nutritionists.
Excess protein. Too much protein with limited carbs can force the body to do gluconeogenesis, where the protein is basically treated as a carb and turned into glucose. There is also a concern about kidney stones for some people.
Strict rules. Especially on the first two phases. (But I think all diets have rules by definition).
Why is it ranked so low? Unknown, but probably because there haven't been any clinical trials, and because on the first phase it avoids vegetables.
I think the proper comparison is the Cruise phase vegetable days and it is actually similar to other plans on those days.
Update:
What kind of meat is allowed on the Dukan diet? (This is my understanding based on what I have read). Fast food hamburgers are not allowed because they are not high-quality and have too much fat. Only get the lowest percentage of fat, which is 93% lean/7% fat. These will be more expensive. Steak is allowed but trim the visible fat. Also get lean turkey or ham lunch meat. No bacon, except for turkey bacon.
Are french fries allowed? No, the Dukan diet tries to limit fat intake.
Are nuts allowed? No, not on the cruise phase because they are too high in fat.
Is coffee allowed? yes
Features
======
Restrict salt?
Allow olive oil?
Allow vegetable oil?
Emphasize low-fat or nonfat dairy?
Allow cheese?
Include lean meat?
Allow beans?
Emphasize starch (rice and potatoes)
Limit calories to 1200 (or 1500) per day?
Encourage fiber in the form of wheat germ or flax seed?
Limits bread?
Limits fruit?
Limits sugar?
(more to follow)
List of Diets to review
===============
Vegan
Vegetarian
flexitarian
Daniel Plan
Whole30
Dash (also Dash/Med and Dash/Weight loss)
Mediterranean
Dukan diet
(more to follow)
I will review one per post and try to give each a fair shake.
Dukan Diet
The first one on the list is the Dukan Diet, because it is ranked last on the list of the US News and World Report Diets. The first on their list is the Mediterranean Diet. My thesis is that they are actually not that different.
Home page: https://www.dukandiet.com/
My impression of the Dukan Diet is that it is similar to the keto diet except it limits fat. It allows for unlimited lean protein. It avoids fat, for example: non-fat dairy only; no skin on chicken; only limited salad dressing. Phase One (Attack) doesn't allow any vegetables. It requires oat bran, presumably for the fiber. Phase Two (Cruise) allows vegetables on alternate days, but doesn't allow any bread.
The distinguishing characteristic of a Dukan diet is the emphasize on lean meat avoiding fat.
My comparison to the other diets is based on the Cruise phase days where vegetables are allowed:
restricts salt? no
allows olive or vegetable oil? no (except for 1 teaspoon daily for salad dressing)
emphasizes low-fat or no-fat dairy? yes
allows cheese? no (except for no-fat cottage cheese)
Include lean meat? yes
Allow beans? no, not on the Cruise phase
Emphasize starch (rice and potatoes)? no
Limit calories to 1200 (or 1500) per day? no, this has no calories counting as long as the plan is followed
Encourage fiber in the form of wheat germ or flax seed? yes
Limits bread? yes, bread not allowed until the consolidation phase
Limits fruit? yes, fruit not allowed until consolidation phase
Limits sugar? yes, sugar not allowed. Sugar substitutes are
What are the criticisms of the Dukan diet?
It is pricey. The food (only lean meat and non-fat dairy) is expensive. Plus you really should buy the book and get coaching at $29.95 per month.
No clinical trials. This is probably the biggest concern of nutritionists.
Excess protein. Too much protein with limited carbs can force the body to do gluconeogenesis, where the protein is basically treated as a carb and turned into glucose. There is also a concern about kidney stones for some people.
Strict rules. Especially on the first two phases. (But I think all diets have rules by definition).
Why is it ranked so low? Unknown, but probably because there haven't been any clinical trials, and because on the first phase it avoids vegetables.
I think the proper comparison is the Cruise phase vegetable days and it is actually similar to other plans on those days.
Update:
What kind of meat is allowed on the Dukan diet? (This is my understanding based on what I have read). Fast food hamburgers are not allowed because they are not high-quality and have too much fat. Only get the lowest percentage of fat, which is 93% lean/7% fat. These will be more expensive. Steak is allowed but trim the visible fat. Also get lean turkey or ham lunch meat. No bacon, except for turkey bacon.
Are french fries allowed? No, the Dukan diet tries to limit fat intake.
Are nuts allowed? No, not on the cruise phase because they are too high in fat.
Is coffee allowed? yes
Friday, January 17, 2020
Who is Lev Parnas?
 |
| Lev Parnas |
Lev Parnas spins wild tales of Trumpian corruption — and we know most of them are true
Lev Parnas Reveals Why He Turned on Trumpworld
That Blockbuster Lev Parnas Interview Is Really Bad for Trump
Parnas Said He is Speaking Out Because He is Afraid of William Barr
Lev Parnas Says Many GOPers Are Too ‘Scared’ Of Trump Getting DOJ To Investigate Them To Speak Out
Lev Parnas Threatens to Release New Incriminating Evidence Every Time Trump Claims Not to Know Him - “I welcome him to say that even more. Every time he says that I’ll show him another picture. He’s lying.”
Parnas: Environment around Trump 'like a cult'
Parnas claims ex-Trump attorney visited him in jail, asked him to sacrifice himself for president
Lev Parnas says he watched Trump fire the US ambassador to Ukraine
Lev Parnas implicates Rick Perry, says Giuliani had him pressure Ukraine to announce Biden probe
Lev Parnas: 'Attorney General Barr was basically on the team.'
Parnas says he told Trump Yovanovitch was badmouthing him. Trump turned to aide and said 'fire her'
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Popcorn
This video has a really annoying robotic voice, but it is only 2 minutes long. A bowl of popcorn (1 cup) only has 35 calories. Popcorn also has fiber. The video promotes a fad diet of only eating popcorn for 7 days, which is an interesting idea. Just avoid the movie theater popcorn. You can buy a large bag of plain popcorn for about $3. If nothing else, it is a healthier snack than potato chips or french fries.
Update: Don't buy corn puffs, like I did by mistake. They are not nearly as filling.
Sunday, January 5, 2020
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