Does your doctor recommend high protein/low carb?

Fanny Adams · 05-10-2008, 03:12 AM

I have a theory that all of the emphasis on the Atkins-like high protein/low carb eating patterns in this forum is because the US doctors are much more familiar with the bypass operation and they don't distinguish it from lapbanders. I want to see whether or not Australians are getting the same recommendations to eat high protein, drink protein supplements, etc. I know my doctor has not advised me to do this in any way and recommends a balanced diet of all the food groups, with smaller portions and low fat/low calorie intake. I feel this is a MUCH healthier approach, as there are distinct dangers in going the Atkins route (kidney stones, high cholesterol, etc). So what's your experience?

Jachut · 05-10-2008, 05:06 AM

Same as yours but I'm in Australia. My surgeon said balanced diet including all food groups, the nutritionist said the same and I've managed to get the doc who does my fills (who's a great guy) to actually admit he thinks high protein diets and the theory behind them is a load of bollocks.

I was saying in another thread today that I personally have a self devised theory that a lot of the people who are really struggling with head hunger and inability to lose weight are really struggling with the awful limitations a low carb diet imposed and that unfilling a bit and eating carbs (yes CARBS!!!!!) like bread and pasta would actually diminish their cravings, increase their satiety and start them losing weight.

All just personal opinion though. You can back up either opinion (for or against carbs) with the kind of so called scientific proof you find on the internet.

She Smiles · 05-10-2008, 05:20 AM

I'm a fellow Aussie and my Doc has always said to eat whatever I can tolerate within reason. Carbs are my friend, I eat pasta/rice pretty much every day. I don't think I've done too bad with my weight loss. I've done fortnights or so of lower carb to try to kick start my weight loss and mix things up, which has worked to some extent, but I could never do it long term, I'd have NO energy!!

Fanny Adams · 05-10-2008, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jachut

Same as yours but I'm in Australia. My surgeon said balanced diet including all food groups, the nutritionist said the same and I've managed to get the doc who does my fills (who's a great guy) to actually admit he thinks high protein diets and the theory behind them is a load of bollocks.

I was saying in another thread today that I personally have a self devised theory that a lot of the people who are really struggling with head hunger and inability to lose weight are really struggling with the awful limitations a low carb diet imposed and that unfilling a bit and eating carbs (yes CARBS!!!!!) like bread and pasta would actually diminish their cravings, increase their satiety and start them losing weight.

All just personal opinion though. You can back up either opinion (for or against carbs) with the kind of so called scientific proof you find on the internet.

Heheh - yeah, I know, that's one of the reasons I made this post. The other is that the protein fixation is really starting to bug me

.

I've been doing a fair bit of research about this on the net and one thing that has really struck me has been that the people who recommend the HP/LC diets are all people who have a vested interest in that diet, e.g. selling protein shakes, or selling a new diet plan or book, whereas recommendations for a balanced diet from all food groups come from neutral sources such as universities, nutritionists and medical groups. I think that's significant in itself.

Luscious · 05-10-2008, 07:06 AM

My dietican for banding told me to make sure I get 70 grams protein a day (which is the correct, healthy amount for my current weight). That is what I do - rest of my calories are made up of good fats (about 25% of my cals) and remainder are low GI carbs. I don't follow the "protein first" rule that many follow here - in fact, I don't have any protein until lunch (breakfast is oats).

I did the Atkins diet many years ago. I lost a lot of weight - about 30 kgs over about 6 months. I was even a moderator on a low carb forum. HOWEVER, you cannot sustain this way of eating for life - its just way too restrictive and in my humble opinion very unhealthy to follow for any period of time. I lost A LOT of hair - masses of it (despite all the protein). My breath was horrendous, and I developed kidney problems and was told to reduce my protein quick smart.

No doctor or dietician I have ever seen here in Australia has recommended this as a healthy way to eat. I am very educated on low carbing and can say without any hesitation that I will NEVER put my body through that way of eating again. I do limit my carbs now to low GI, that just makes good sense, and I do tend to focus on my carbs early in the day, just because I find that my blood sugar levels react better to that (I'm type 2 diabetic).

MollyMolly · 05-10-2008, 09:17 AM

My doc says no to protein shakes (once healed up from surgery) but does recommend the protein first, then produce, then complex carbs if you have room approach. I'm to aim for 1000-1200 cals a day.

Note that this is NOT the same as low carb / high protein. Eating protein & produce for me comes out to about 50% carbs, 20% protein, 30% fat or thereabouts. (per TheDailyPlate, where I log my food). It varies from day to day, but my carb intake is always higher than my protein intake.

Produce -- veggies & fruit -- has plenty of carbohydrates. Some of the protein foods do too, like beans & milk. (although some put beans in the carb category to begin with, I suppose)

Just wanted to clear up that eating protein + produce is not even remotely close to a high protein / low carb diet like Atkins, unless you're skipping fruit and a lot of the veggies.

mss · 05-10-2008, 11:29 AM

Pretty sure we have the same doctor Fanny so I guess my answer wont be a surprise. Eat smaller portions, focus on healthier foods and eat when hungry rather than at set times a day.

Hippiemama · 05-10-2008, 11:54 AM

Oops, I voted wrong. I meant to vote, yes, and I am not in the US or Australia. I am in Canada.

Jachut · 05-10-2008, 05:04 PM

Good point Molly. Most people do overdo carbs to a degree. I dont think they necessarily need to be the *basis* of your diet like we used to think.

I agree with Fanny too, most people who push the high protein/low carb diet are trying to sell you something. We've had an absolute exposion of Optifast type products onto the market lately - everyone just puts their name to it and calls it "The Joe Bloggs Diet". Every pharmacy has one, its ridiculous, cost a fortune, really unsustainable, designed to dehydrate you, waste your lean body tissue away and leave you fatter than you started six months down the track.

I have another personal theory - that its the overemphasis on protein that CAUSES hair loss, not the other way round. When you eat too much protein and not enough of everything else (which is easy to do just by eating protein first with a band) then you suffer such generalised malnutrition that your hair falls out. You cannot fix hair loss with one single nutrient, be it a macronutrient like protein or something like zinc, biotin, etc. Its the combination of those, and you can believe that if you're eating protein first and are banded, you're probably not eating enough complex carbs, to get your B's, your E, etc. And you cant necessarily fix that with a vitamin pill, there's STILL no real proof that they are as good as actually eating the nutrient. Again - personal opinion, not scientific theory.

lglenn3000 · 05-12-2008, 08:25 AM

Same here -- I aim for 60 - 70 grams of low fat protein per day, the rest is veggies & fruit and healthy carbs, whole grain pasta or potato -- but only like 1/2 cup. I'm trying to stick to 1200 calories a day, too, so that doesn't leave a lot of 'wiggle room'.